Deputy Director, Public Policy & Legislative Engagement

MP RPO • Lower Merion Township, PA

3d • $110,000 - $140,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Talent Road's client is a national nonprofit and field builder with the mission of improving lives by empowering students with essential skills and dispositions for making better decisions. Founded in 2014 and backed by experts in decision sciences, business, and education-including several Nobel laureates-our client believes that better decisions lead to better lives and a better society. They partner with teachers, academic and business leaders, families, and community members to raise awareness and lead the growing call to have Decision Education taught in schools nationwide. They are committed to an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative culture. Their diverse team comprises educators, researchers, subject matter experts, and other professionals dedicated to the mission.

The Deputy Director of Public Policy, Legislative Engagement is a senior role responsible for advancing the state and national policy agenda by coordinating legislative engagement, managing policy‑aligned outreach, and assisting with coalition and stakeholder activities that advance Decision Education. This position focuses on legislative strategy, drafting policy documents, cultivating relationships through meetings and events, state-level lobbying and advocacy, and ensuring effective communication with policymakers, external partners, and internal teams.
The Deputy Director of Public Policy, Legislative Engagement will report to the Director of Public Policy (DPP) within the Public Policy Department, which is responsible for advancing state and national policy priorities to support the adoption and expansion of Decision Education.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of progressive experience leading legislative advocacy, public policy formulation, and lobbying initiatives, with a clear focus on the education sector.
• Deep expertise in legislative processes, state-level education governance, and public K-12 financing structures.
• Experience managing complex cross-sector initiatives, public policy campaigns, and education policy lobbying initiatives.
• Experience using a CRM system.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the Alliance's direct and indirect lobbying strategies in partnership with the Director of Public Policy, cultivating relationships with governors' offices, state departments of education, state boards of education, and state legislative bodies, as well as with relevant think tanks, coalitions, advocacy organizations, and trade associations.
• Proactively monitor, analyze, and influence key policymaker activity and legislation at the state and regional levels.
• Draft legislative memoranda, policy memoranda, and legislator education and communication materials. Translate complex federal and state education bills, administrative rules, and public budget allocations into actionable policy briefs, testimonies, and memos.
• Engage current and past Policymaker Fellows in the design and implementation of legislation, regulations, and pilot programs in collaboration with the Senior Manager, Public Policy.
• Manage relationships and contracts with retained lobbying firms in key states.
• Build regional policy, advocacy, and lobbying plans in conjunction with the Director of Public Policy, contracted lobbyists, and regional partners.
• Support the development and monitoring of department-level Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) related to policy development and adoption.
• Collaborate with the communications team, DPP, and other teams to design research briefings and public-facing toolkits that shape the national narrative around the importance of Decision Education in K-12 education policy.
• Support senior‑level relationship management with key strategic policy leaders, including preparation, alignment, and follow‑up for high‑value engagements.
• Track staff and stakeholder engagement efforts in Salesforce, Wrike, and other project management tools.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure public policy activities are aligned, supported, and communicated effectively.
• Design and facilitate necessary legislative training and professional development for staff and volunteers who engage in public policy opportunities and engagements.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (100% employer paid)
• Life Insurance (100% employer paid)
• Long Term Disability Insurance (100% employer paid)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401K Retirement Plan with up to a 5% match
• Flexible Spending Account
• Up to 20 Days of Paid Time Off in your first year (prorated based on your start date)
• Shortened Friday workweeks and select summer months

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed