Director, State Policy & Systems Change

About HCM

HCM is a public policy and advocacy consulting firm known nationally for its leadership in education policy development, analysis, and advocacy. HCM puts the learner at the center of our work – particularly those who have been left behind by the traditional systems of education – and focuses on eliminating inequities that continue to place far too many students at a disadvantage in pursuing and completing their education. Our team of professionals has an unparalleled set of relationships with state policymakers and deep reach in all 50 states as well as relationships with national employers, polling organizations and civil rights and community-based organizations that help build an understanding of how change is possible in different environments. We have a long record of success across states based upon our ability to leverage our comprehensive network, forge creative alliances with non-traditional partners, and provide leadership, strategic counsel and vision implementation to efforts on behalf of our clients. Our clients include foundations, state and national non-profit organizations, state agencies, and colleges and universities.

Position

Directors at HCM are policy experts sought out by clients for their analytical ability, problem solving, and strategic thinking. Directors can be generalists or have deep content expertise in a particular policy area. Working with Principals and Partners, Directors cultivate and lead a body of work with the intention of developing a core area of expertise. For this Director position, we are seeking individuals with a demonstrated commitment to today's modern learners and experience pursuing systems change for transformation. The ideal candidate will have a record of achieving consensus, facilitating learning that leads to increased capacity and/or policy improvement, and translating narrative and best practices as part of intentional change management. The focus of the Director’s portfolio of projects may shift over time based on their interests, strengths, needs of the team, and their contribution to creating additional business opportunities.

Directors are core to the successful delivery of HCM’s high-quality content and solutions for its clients. They combine analytical, project and people management, and communication skills to support projects. Directors at HCM have advised foundations on trends in state policy and emerging opportunities for impact, supported states in convening the right stakeholders to identify state strategic goals and replicate best practices, and helped institutions set and execute strategic priorities that improve students’ outcomes. A Director will manage major project workstreams, engage external stakeholders, cultivate collaboration, and lead key initiatives from start to finish. The Director will be responsible for background research and analysis work as well as leading client meetings, facilitating workgroups, and presenting to the field.

Responsibilities across all Director-level positions include, but are not limited to:

• Provides content-level support on client projects, including, but not limited to:
• Is an education policy content expert and identifies, stays abreast and contributes to the firm’s and the field’s knowledge base of current policies, legislation, practices and trends.
• Manages and facilitates workgroups and task forces composed of state policymakers and other diverse stakeholders, including planning and leading meetings and building consensus towards solutions to complex policy challenges.
• Represents the firm or client at briefings, hearings and meetings.
• Possesses or has an emerging network within the field and can advance or engage those relationships on behalf of the firm’s work in order to identify business opportunities.
• Assists in idea creation, problem and solution formulation and business climate assessment.
• Directors may supervise an Associate Director or Policy Fellow. This position does not have any direct reports at this time.

Experience:

• Postsecondary education or workforce policy content expertise, with a minimum 7 years working in/with public policy and research, state education or workforce agencies, institutions of higher education, advocacy, communications, and/or philanthropy.
• Prefer a candidate who has experience working in or with state higher education agencies or system offices and familiarity with federal policy and the federal higher education landscape.
• Experience supporting the development of policies that support expanded access and opportunities and outcomes particularly for underserved populations.
• Experience and comfort leading relationships with principal-level clients and state-level leadership, especially through change management.

Attributes and Core Skills:

• Strong commitment to delivering work that advances change that makes postsecondary education and workforce systems more accessible, affordable, accountable, and equitable.
• Consistently upholds HCM’s mission, values, cultural norms, and expectations.
• Strategic thinker and problem solver, able to look across the full scope of a project and make informed decisions.
• Strong and clear communicator, internally and externally, with ability to interface with multiple stakeholders and levels of leadership.
• Detail- and results-oriented, possessing solid project management and organizational skills, with an ability to hold teams accountable to deadlines across multiple projects.
• Familiarity with education data sets and ability to distill key takeaways through quantitative analyses and data visualization.
• Motivated self-starter with ability to deliver high-quality work products with limited oversight.
• Comfortable working in a remote environment, as a part of a larger team as well as individually.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, an enthusiastic attitude and enjoys a team-based culture.
• Collaborative and collegial.
• Strategic, innovative creator adept at developing and executing solutions with a proactive, hands-on attitude.
• Proficient in prioritizing tasks and adapting to changes in a dynamic, multi-client environment.

Type: Full-Time, salaried, exempt

Location: Remote

Travel: Up to 35% travel

Reports to: Principal

Direct Reports: Possible

Salary Range: $100,000-$156,000

Applications will be received through July 7, 2026 and reviewed on a rolling basis.