Program Director, State Government Relations

ACT Education•Iowa City, IA

2d•Remote

About The Position

ACT Education Corp. is dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. This role involves aligning ACT solutions with state goals and initiatives, fostering relationships with decision-makers, and advancing the organization's interests with state legislators, governors' offices, and other state officials across multiple states simultaneously. The Program Director will develop and execute a strategic multi-state outreach and lobbying plan to grow and retain state revenue. This position represents, advances, and grows revenue through ACT’s government relations agenda with elected officials and government decision-makers primarily at the state and local level in key states. The role works internally and with external partners to identify, develop, implement, and effectuate advocacy, outreach, and lobbying strategies to secure state policies, legislation, funding, or administrative actions that foster existing business lines or lead to new opportunities for ACT solutions. Additionally, this position collaborates with various ACT staff to understand complex state relationships, build relationships, and comprehend specific policy needs of states through interactions that support the delivery and growth of ACT’s products and services in a manner that achieves retention and growth of revenue. The role targets state budgets and legislative appropriations.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years of experience required that includes: State lobbying and engagement experience
State sales experience that includes successful attainment of revenue generation goals
Strong knowledge of state legislative processes
Knowledge of Sales Cycle and how to plan and execute on revenue generation goals
Ability to learn in depth product knowledge of ACT’s products and services and how those products and services are collectively used to provide solutions to state customers
Strong working knowledge of education industry, workforce development, and assessment business
Exceptional legislative, lobbying, and state government advocacy experience and skills
Proven track record of having legislation introduced which led to state level contracts
Working knowledge of state legislative and policy processes, key competitors to ACT’s products and services, and how the market perceives these competitors
Ability to learn competitor’s products and ACT’s differentiators
Outstanding presentation skills
Strong relationship skills
Strong analytical abilities
Competence in using computers, devices, and software including word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and CRM
Ability to determine logical solutions to complicated problems
Ability to set goals and priorities and manage campaigns to completion
Strong negotiation skills
Ability to travel domestically, within designated territory up to 30% of the time
Bachelor’s degree in a related area of study, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.

Nice To Haves

Multi-state lobbying in education and/or workforce sectors
Previous state contract experience, account management, or sales experience
Experience in state procurement processes
Experience working with State Department of Education GR staff

Responsibilities

Develops and manages relations with various state entities including but not limited to: Governors’ Offices, State Legislatures, Jurisdictional Agencies, and State Boards of Education.
Serves as the lead state lobbyist responsible for outreach and execution of the state strategy in assigned states.
Responsible for planning, execution, and attainment of state revenue goals targeting state budgets and legislative appropriations.
Accountable for and works with legislators and lobbyists to maintain current legislation that supports ACT State Contracts and grows existing revenue.
Accountable for and works with legislators and lobbyists to introduce new legislation that will support the introduction of ACT State Contracts and drive revenue.
Accountable for and works with legislators and lobbyists to suppress and defeat proposed legislation by competitors and other entities that would be detrimental to ACT.
Monitors, analyzes, and communicates the impacts or potential impacts of state legislation or regulations.
Serves as a member of internal teams in support of strategic state goals.
Develops and maintains relationships with ACT internal departments and leadership to identify operational issues requiring legislative action.
Works with RFP teams to provide insight into RFP strategy and response development as appropriate based on legislative directives of given states.
Assists State Partnerships in developing comprehensive State Plans including but not limited to: incorporating legislative priorities, providing legislative landscape, and identifying legislative key players.
Analyzes competitive intelligence, local information, and strategic advantages in order to develop best strategies to drive future business opportunities from a policy/advocacy perspective.
Provides leadership, problem solving, and decision-making; works closely with state clients and contacts to identify and select solutions that best meet their needs.
Provides excellent customer service and stellar, professional communication to external audiences.
Responsible for strict compliance with all applicable lobbying, reporting, and gift laws.