Director of Public School Strategy – Scholarship Services

Nelnet•Remote - Nebraska, NE

3d•$160,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Public School Strategy owns FACTS' public school engagement strategy for the federal tax credit scholarship program. This is primarily a policy, education, and coalition-building role focused on establishing relationships with federal and state policy coalitions, associations, and district-level stakeholders, and explaining how the program can benefit districts, schools, students, and families. The position is part of FACTS' scholarship services business development team, but business development is a secondary function. The role coordinates or hands off commercial conversations to FACTS' business development team and may position the Compass platform as a path to program compliance. The Director maintains expertise on Section 25F/FSTC federal rules and state opt-in developments; builds FACTS' credibility within policy coalitions and K-12 associations; and partners with Nelnet's Government Relations/Policy function. The role educates district leaders and develops public-sector messaging and materials, represents FACTS at relevant associations and forums, and maintains a relationship map of districts, affiliated foundations, and SGOs in participating states. It also directs employees and performs departmental leadership, reporting, compliance, coaching, and project-management responsibilities. The role requires regular travel, up to 50%, concentrated in states that have opted into the program. The position offers a hybrid work option: associates living within 30 miles of an office may work remotely for part of the week, with in-office presence three days per week. The annual compensation range is $160,000-$175,000, depending on experience. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience in public policy, government relations, coalition or association management, or public-sector education advocacy, with direct exposure to how school boards, superintendents, and district leaders evaluate new programs.
Existing, credible relationships within public school policy coalitions, K-12 associations, or state/federal education policy circles; the role requires trusted relationships from the outset.
A professional network capable of opening doors and building relationships with districts, coalitions, and policymakers.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse school-leader audiences, including school boards and rural superintendents or athletic directors.
Ability to explain program benefits and participation requirements clearly and credibly, translating technical mechanics into a case for adoption.
Working knowledge of nonprofit/SGO structures, scholarship or education-savings-account program administration, or education finance; ability to learn technical program rules quickly.
Comfort working in an evolving policy environment with incomplete federal guidance and a changing list of participating states, using judgment to prioritize relationship-building.
Willingness to travel regularly to policy coalitions, districts, foundations, and SGOs, with travel up to 50%.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
Three years of experience in the field or a related field, or commensurate education, and three years of supervisory or leadership experience, as listed in the job posting.
Skills in service excellence, oral and written communication, MS Office, problem solving, managing multiple priorities, decision-making and critical thinking, leadership, team management and building, tactical and strategic planning, workforce diversity, and project management.
Candidates must already be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Direct professional experience in a public school district at an administrative level, such as district central office, a superintendent's cabinet, business or operations administration, or school board support; equivalent experience in a federal policy or think-tank setting will also be considered.
Prior experience in government relations, policy advocacy, or association management within public K-12 education.
Existing relationships with public school foundations, school-board associations, or SGOs operating in states participating in the federal program.
Familiarity with the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (Section 25F) policy landscape and state opt-in dynamics.
Prior experience at an education finance, EdTech, SGO or scholarship administration company, or K-12 advocacy or membership organization.
Some exposure to or comfort with business development conversations; quota-carrying sales experience is not required.
A four-year college degree and an advanced degree are preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain current expertise on Section 25F/FSTC federal rules and state-by-state opt-in developments, and explain evolving Treasury guidance in plain language.
Build and sustain FACTS' presence and credibility in federal and state policy coalitions, K-12 associations, and advocacy groups.
Coordinate with Nelnet's Government Relations/Policy function on legislative monitoring, state opt-in tracking, and policy conversations.
Educate superintendents, school boards, district CFOs, and foundation leaders about the federal tax credit scholarship program and its potential benefits.
Develop messaging and collateral for public-sector audiences, distinguishing the program from FACTS' Catholic and independent-school materials.
Represent FACTS at public-sector K-12 associations and forums.
Build and maintain a current map of public school districts, affiliated foundations, and SGOs in opted-in states, coordinating with policy and government-relations colleagues.
Coordinate or hand off commercial discussions with FACTS' business development team and position the Compass platform as a compliance resource where appropriate.
Direct employees in all facets of the department.
Commit to the Performance Based Organization (PBO) and Easy to Do Business with (ETDBW) philosophy and contribute to continuous process improvement.
Manage conflicting priorities and meet deadlines; act in place of the manager when needed and provide backup for management functions.
Report staffing, production, and budget; identify trends and problems; and develop, maintain, and distribute reports.
Lead, train, retain, and develop staff; provide performance feedback and one-on-one coaching.
Lead and participate in multiple Loan Service projects; analyze long-term impacts and plan accordingly.
Identify potential changes or improvements and monitor and appraise teams and systems as applicable.
Ensure compliance with federal regulations and departmental policies.
Provide information to other areas of the company and pursue continued self-improvement.