Director of Educational Policy

Learning Resources•Vernon Hills, IL

3h•$120,000 - $130,000

About The Position

We bring learning to life! Trusted by teachers for more than 55+ years, hand2mind creates engaging, classroom-tested materials that empower children to learn by doing. We are a 150-person strong, family-owned company that's been voted one of the Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces for the last four consecutive years. In addition to building high-quality, hands-on learning materials for the classroom like VersaTiles® and Cuisenaire® Rods, we also develop educational toys for the home that make learning math, reading, social-emotional learning, and STEM fun and interactive. As a company, we are committed to our employee’s personal and professional development. That’s why we offer a competitive benefits package, a supportive culture, and a variety of training and development opportunities. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today! Team & Position Description: We are currently seeking a Director of Educational Policy to join our Sales team! This role is designed for a nationally recognized education leader with deep expertise in curriculum, instruction and policy—someone who can elevate hand2mind’s visibility and impact across state and national education networks. You’ll work closely with district leaders, policymakers, and internal teams to ensure our hands-on solutions are aligned with emerging policy priorities and funding opportunities. The ideal candidate will combine policy expertise with strategic selling skills to drive revenue growth through policy-aligned opportunities.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree in education, Public Policy, or a related field is preferred.
Leadership experience in a national education organization (e.g., NCTM) or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience working closely with legislators, governors’ education advisors, state education agencies, and educational associations.
An in-depth understanding of the legislative and policy development processes within state education authorities.
Strong communication competencies to effectively convey tailored messages to diverse stakeholders.
Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
Strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
Willingness to travel as needed for engagements and events.

Responsibilities

Serve as hand2mind’s policy leader, building relationships with state education leaders and national organizations.
Track and interpret key state and federal education policies, identifying opportunities for alignment and growth.
Support strategic sales presentations with policy expertise and thought leadership.
Represent hand2mind at events, delivering keynote-style presentations and engaging with decision-makers.
Collaborate with marketing and product teams to ensure our messaging and offerings reflect current policy trends.
Guide state education department leaders who are charged with developing the implementation plan for all policy-driven for instructional changes aligned to evidence-based practice (e.g., hands-on manipulatives, reduced screen time, implementation supports).