Jobs
Senior Policy Analyst/Director, Washington, DC Office
Who We Are
The Institute for College Access & Success is a
nonpartisan research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to making
higher education more available and affordable to people of all backgrounds. Established in 2004, the Institute is a highly respected and influential
source of expertise on financial aid, student debt, and related issues at the
federal, state, and college levels.
Our Organizational Culture
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We are passionate about promoting educational opportunity and diversity
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We are an outcome-oriented organization with a track record of moving our agenda forward
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We are a fast-paced, dynamic, creative organization highly focused on our mission
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Our agenda is grounded in data and rigorous policy analysis
Expectations of All TICAS Employees
We depend on employees who:
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are strong team players as well as individual contributors
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are intellectually curious
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are detail oriented
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are excellent communicators
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are creative problem solvers
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are organized and manage competing priorities, tasks, and deadlines
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are comfortable with ambiguity
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are flexible in response to change
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take full responsibility for the quality and timeliness of their work
Communications Director
Oakland, CA
Position Summary: The Institute seeks a Communications Director to develop and implement external communications strategies designed to advance our mission. Strong candidates will bring a range of experiences using both traditional and new media as well as the ability to collaborate closely with staff across the organization and serve as the primary press contact for TICAS. The Communications Director reports directly to the President.
Responsibilities: The Communications Director's core responsibilities include managing media relations, web sites, online communications, publications and strategic initiatives, and keeping colleagues and key constituencies informed and engaged.
Other responsibilities include:
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Collaborate with other senior staff to develop and execute integrated research, policy, and/or advocacy strategies that make the most of available communications tools and resources
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Serve as primary press contact, including preparing staff for interviews and tracking and analyzing relevant media coverage
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Supervise a Communications Associate as well as a range of external contractors
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Develop messaging and dissemination plans for projects and publications
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Craft media materials, action alerts, fact sheets, and online content
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Edit reports and oversee their production
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Manage web design and development projects and ensure web sites are up to date.
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Represent TICAS at meetings and public events
Qualifications and characteristics:
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At least six years of strategic communications experience with direct experience in policy and/or advocacy environments strongly preferred
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Track record of successfully managing national media and public awareness campaigns
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Strong team management skills, including at least two years of supervisory experience
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Excellent writing and editing skills, with proven ability to describe complex issues clearly and accurately for different audiences
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Highly organized, attentive to detail
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Strong public speaking abilities
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A desire to delve into new issues and quickly develop clear and appropriate messaging
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Ability to thrive in a creative, fast-paced highly collaborative environment with multiple tasks and deadlines and a constant focus on mission
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Skilled at managing multiple projects with input from a range of stakeholders
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Comfortable asking questions and working with data as well as text
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Highly interested in higher education policy and financial aid, with direct experience in the field preferred
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Aligned with TICAS core organizational values of collaboration, creativity, flexibility, accountability, and a deep commitment to rigorous data and policy analysis
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Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, basic HTML, InDesign, social media, online advocacy tools, and other relevant applications and software
Compensation and benefits: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
To apply: The Institute for College Access & Success has engaged Koya Leadership Partners to help with this hire. Please send a compelling cover letter and resume to Molly Brennan at executivesearch@koyapartners.com.
The Institute is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBT applicants.
Senior Policy Analyst/Director, Washington, DC Office
Washington, D.C.
The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) seeks a highly experienced Senior Policy Analyst who will also be the Director of TICAS' Washington, DC office. This position works with the organization's leadership to inform and shape federal policies and advocacy strategies to make college access and success possible for people of all backgrounds.
The Position: The Senior Policy Analyst/DC Office Director works with the organization's leadership to set policy priorities and identify key advocacy opportunities and challenges. He/she designs and implements strategies for achieving policy goals, monitors legislative and regulatory developments, and uses research and analysis to inform public debates and policy outcomes. The position represents TICAS in meetings with federal executive and legislative branch policy makers and staff, as well as with national education experts and advocates.
The position reports to TICAS' Vice President, manages the DC office, supervises a policy analyst in DC, and works closely with staff across the organization. Specific roles and responsibilities include:
Strategy Design and
Advocacy
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Shape and execute strategies and tactics for pursuing policy goals
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Communicate policy priorities and evidence-based proposals to policy makers and stakeholders
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Build and coordinate coalitions of support for key policy proposals
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Lead, manage and/or organize strategy meetings and conference calls
Research and Analysis,
Issue Monitoring
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Track and analyze regulatory, legislative, school- and sector-level developments
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Contribute to research and analysis for reports, memos and fact sheets
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Help write briefs, memos and fact sheets based on research and analysis
External
Communications
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Represent TICAS at in-person meetings and on conference calls (some travel required)
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Develop, fact-check and/or update TICAS public materials for accuracy and accessibility
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Ensure analysis is effectively disseminated to policy makers, stakeholders and the public
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Respond to external inquiries from the press and others
Office
Management/Supervision
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Supervise the DC-based policy analyst and interns
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Manage the day-to-day operations of the DC office
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Coordinate with the Oakland office regarding telephone, computer and other office matters
Core Qualifications: Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in federal policy analysis and advocacy. A bachelor's degree is required, and a graduate degree in a related field and management and supervisory experience are strongly preferred. Relevant experience in the legislative and/or executive branch is also strongly preferred and a demonstrated strong interest in higher education policy is required. The successful candidate will have excellent communication and writing skills, proven coalition-building abilities, a demonstrated ability to synthesize policy and research information for different audiences, and strong data presentation skills. The successful candidate also will be highly motivated to initiate ideas and projects, but committed to working as member of a team when it comes to project design and implementation.
Application Process
The position is based in Washington, DC. Full benefits provided; compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications. TICAS is an equal opportunity employer. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to admin@ticas.org with "Senior Policy Analyst/DC Office Director" in the title. No phone calls please. This position will remain open until filled.
Click here to download the job description
Policy Analyst
Washington, D.C.
The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) seeks a DC-based Policy Analyst to help inform and shape federal policies that make college access and success possible for people of all backgrounds.
The Position: The Policy Analyst conducts research and analysis and implements advocacy projects, with a primary focus on federal policies related to financial aid and student debt. The position involves significant contact with federal executive and legislative branch staff and national education experts and advocates. Issues include federal student loan policies, consumer protections for borrowers of non-federal (private) student loans, need-based grant aid, simplification of the financial aid process, and improved oversight of career education programs. The position reports to the Director of the DC office and works closely with staff across the organization. Working with the DC Director, specific roles and responsibilities include:
Research and
Analysis, Issue Monitoring
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Track and analyze regulatory, legislative, school- and sector-level developments
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Collect and analyze data to inform and support policy work
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Write and/or conduct research for reports, memos and fact sheets
Networking and
Advocacy
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Help shape and execute strategies and tactics for pursuing policy goals
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Communicate policy priorities and evidence-based proposals to policy makers and stakeholders
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Build and coordinate coalitions of support for key policy proposals, track and organize external outreach, and maintain current outreach lists
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Lead, manage and/or organize meetings and conference calls
External
Communications
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Represent TICAS at in-person meetings and on conference calls (some travel required)
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Develop, fact-check and/or update public materials for accuracy and accessibility
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Disseminate analysis and news to policy makers, stakeholders and the public
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Respond to external inquiries
Core Qualifications: Candidates must have a minimum of five years of direct experience with policy analysis and advocacy, preferably at the federal level. They must enjoy working in a creative, fast-paced environment with multiple tasks and deadlines. Other key qualifications include: excellent communication and writing skills; a demonstrated ability to synthesize policy and research information for different audiences; keen analytical skills and attention to detail; highly organized; and strong quantitative and data presentation skills. Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in a related field preferred.
Application Process
The position is based in Washington, DC. Full benefits provided; compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications. TICAS is an equal opportunity employer. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to admin@ticas.org with "DC Policy Analyst" in the subject line. No phone calls please. This position will remain open until filled.
