Assistant/ Associate Director, Higher Education Finance - Olympia, United States - State of Washington

Description

The Council is seeking to fill a position within the Strategy and Partnerships division of the Washington Student Achievement Council.

Depending on the experience and skill set of the applicant pool, this position will be filled at the Assistant or Associate Director level.

This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied. The first review of applications is expected to occur on 04/18//2024 and will be ongoing. It is in the applicant's best interest to submit their application materials as early as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to decide at any time. This job posting may be closed at any time without notice.

Why work for the Washington Student Achievement Council?

At the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), we are committed to increasing

educational opportunities and attainment in Washington.

We believe that every person living in the state of Washington should have access to educational opportunities and be encouraged to pursue education or training beyond high school.

To achieve our mission, we:

• Lead statewide strategic planning to increase educational attainment. (See our Strategic Action Plan)
• Administer programs that help people access and pay for college.
• Advocate for the economic, social, and civic benefits of higher education.
• Learn more about the work of the Washington Student Achievement Council and our equity statement at

At WSAC

Our programs and policies work with diverse communities to eliminate barriers to people pursuing education beyond high school. As an employer, we strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a competitive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

• We offer flexible/alternative work schedules, wellness activities, and teleworking opportunities.
• Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work.
• Employees have access to tuition assistance and tuition waiver programs,
• If you have experience advocating for communities of color or others who are experiencing educational inequities-including those directly impacted by the criminal justice system; people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay or bisexual; veterans; and people with disabilities-you are strongly encouraged to apply, even if you don't meet all the desired/preferred qualifications listed.

Learn more about WSAC's mission and our commitment to equity.

Our Commitment to Equity

About the Strategy and Partnerships Division

The Strategy & Partnerships division leads the development of the strategic plan and oversees the execution of the Council's strategic priorities.

The division engages with diverse stakeholders to identify issues, develop policy solutions, and support programs, policies, and practices that will advance the state's educational attainment goals.

The Strategy & Partnerships division approaches our work with a focus on equity, leading with race, centering students' experience in policy development, listening to local communities and leaders, and relying on data and research to inform the work.

In support of the mission and goals of the Washington Student Achievement Council, the Strategy & Partnerships division has four functional areas that inform the division's work:

• Policy research and development
• Strategic outreach and stakeholder engagement
• Convening and facilitating
• Project management

Working Conditions

This is a full-time, exempt position, eligible for benefits, leave, and retirement. Work is hybrid, with most of the work currently done from home. You will be expected to travel throughout the state for select meetings/engagements as needed. Travel to Olympia may be required during the legislative session.

Equipment and supplies required to work from home, including a computer, monitors, keyboard, mouse, and office chair, will be provided by the agency.

About the Position

The Strategy and Partnerships division is organized into four clusters: affordability, enrollment, student support and completion.

As Assistant or Associate Director of Higher Education Finance, you will be responsible for two bodies of work:

• Serve as the higher education finance expert for WSAC, providing expertise and executing work related to institutional finance, state financial aid, and other investments in higher education.
• Serve as the policy cluster lead for the affordability cluster, working with stakeholders to inform and shape policies including, but not limited to, financial aid and tuition policies.

Who we're looking for

You are analytic in nature and excel at synthesizing data to understand and present key findings.

While you demonstrate great attention to detail, you also can see the big picture and seek to collaborate and strategize for broader systems change.

You have deep knowledge of higher education finance and are familiar with the postsecondary education landscape. You excel at building external relationships to drive change and thrive in a dynamic work environment.

You will have a deep awareness of historical/institutional racism and demonstrate an understanding of how to translate these values into systemic changes that will increase postsecondary attainment for historically marginalized residents.

Some of what you will be doing

Higher Education Finance

• You will assist with the development and submission of decision packages, develop fiscal notes and coordinate with other WSAC staff on state financial aid and other budget-related inquiries from OFM or legislators.
• You will develop summaries of the Governor and House and Senate budgets, and the state budget as it pertains to investments in higher education.
• In coordination with agency leadership as the Assistant Director, you will represent the WSAC agency on the State Forecasting Council and on the workgroup to inform policymakers' understanding of caseload forecasts as it relates to state financial aid programs.
• Participate in and ensure WSAC is represented in the national analysis of state financial aid, state tuition, and state investments in postsecondary education.
• You will manage the annual updates of the integrated, spreadsheet-based budget (expenditure) model for the Washington College Grant and the College Bound Scholarship in coordination with the Student Financial Assistance Division.
• Collect, prepare and submit data each year to State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) for the purposes of the annual Grapevine and State Higher Education Finance (SHEF) report on state funding for higher education.
• Conduct other work that is specifically related to higher education finance and state/federal investments that impact the affordability of postsecondary education.

Policy cluster lead for Affordability

• You will serve as the WSAC subject matter expert and resource on higher education finance, state and federal financial aid, local scholarships, tuition policy, college savings plans and other related investments and policies that impact a student's ability to afford a postsecondary education such as children's savings accounts, income share agreements, loans, etc.
• As the Assistant Director, you will work closely with WA529 and Student Financial Assistance divisions to inform policy development, development of the annual Strategic Plan and other work as needed.
• Research, develop, and recommend state policy and investments; collaborate with external stakeholders to learn about existing efforts and innovative strategies to inform state policies; develop expertise through connecting with national leaders and other states' efforts, and more.
• You will lead the development of and ensure successful implementation of various projects, legislation, grant-funded efforts, and/or other complex work that is related to council priorities.
• Provide staff assistance to the Council and workgroups as needed related to project goals.
• In collaboration with external stakeholders and other WSAC divisions, you as the Assistant Director will develop policy proposals on behalf of the Council to increase affordability of postsecondary education, with a focus on racial equity, as articulated in the Council's strategic action plan.
• Write reports and develop presentations, policy briefs, and other content to frame policy discussions with external stakeholders and to communicate policy work with a broad range of audiences.
• You will monitor and analyze policy and other developments in the WA Legislature, the Governor's office, postsecondary institutions, regions, etc. that may impact state financial aid and overall postsecondary affordability for students.

Required Education

• A bachelor's degree in finance, business, public administration, public policy, economics, education, or related field, and 3+ years of experience in positions related to state/federal financial aid and/or higher education finance.

Required Experience, and Competencies

• You have strong analytical skills, excellent attention to detail and ability to synthesize key information from complex budget and financial models.
• You are experienced in conducting policy analysis and can summarize complex information and prepare policy briefs, presentations, and other documents that help create policy change using relevant research, data, stakeholder perspective, innovative policy solutions, etc.
• You have experience with and demonstrated knowledge of higher education finance and state financial aid programs.
• You possess strong interpersonal skills, have a track record of building external relationships, and can build relationships to work effectively in teams and individually.
• You have demonstrated expertise and strong understanding of strategies - policy, programs and practices - that contribute towards making postsecondary education affordable with a particular emphasis on students who have been historically marginalized and are furthest from the attainment goal.
• You are a self-starter, self-disciplined and have the ability to both lead and execute work while navigating a complex and dynamic environment.
• You have a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, awareness of historical/institutional racism and demonstrated understanding of issues regarding equity in higher education with ability to translate these values into developing state policy.
• You have the ability to adapt and be responsive to emerging work and priorities as directed and comfort working in a virtual environment.

Desired Education and Experience

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired education and experience below.

• Master's Degree in finance, business, public administration, public policy, economics, education, or a related field.
• You are experienced with the State's budgeting, contracting/purchasing, audit, and/or legislative processes.
• You have experience engaging with relevant financial and education data, IPEDS data, OFM and ERDC data, and other data sets related to higher education finance.
• You have experience as a team leader, supervisor, or facilitator of collaborative workgroups.
• You are experienced with local or state policy related to college access and completion.
• You have experience working in a college or university or other experience with higher education budgets and finance related to tuition, fees, financial aid, etc.

Compensation

The salary listed is the starting salary consideration for this position.

The full salary range for this exempt, professional position is:

• If hired at the Assistant Director level the full salary range is $64,176 - $86,627.
• If hired at the Associate Director level the full salary range is $74,292 - $100,513.

Application Procedures

To be considered for this position, you must possess the required qualification listed above.

Find this job posting and complete your profile at which must include the following:

• Letter of Application. A letter of application that addresses how you meet the required education and experience described in this announcement. Applications with generic cover letters will be considered nonresponsive and may eliminate the application from further consideration.
• Resume. A detailed resume including all educational and professional experience.
• References. A list of names, titles, emails, and current telephone numbers of three (3) professional employment references.

Please Note:
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

QUESTIONS?

For questions about this recruitment, contact Karen Moton-Tate at or you may call

EEO Statement

The Washington Student Achievement Council is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all applicants and employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

If you need accommodation in the application process or wish to receive this job announcement in an alternative format, please call or email