Director, Strategic Affairs - Higher Education

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Flexible work options

Generous time off

Wellness programs

Tuition reimbursement

Technology access

Recognition program

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Director, Strategic Affairs - Higher Education to lead government affairs and go-to-market strategy across North America in the Education, Government & Non-Profit space. The role partners with senior leaders and external stakeholders to translate policy developments into commercial strategy while representing the organization publicly.

Remote work is offered for US-based candidates; travel may be required to engage with policymakers and educational partners to improve

Qualifications

• 5+ years in government affairs, public policy, or public sector sales with a proven revenue track record.
• Experience engaging with C-suite and senior leaders in public and private sectors.
• Strong knowledge of education and workforce funding sources like ESSA and Perkins V.
• Analytical skills to translate policy data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences, from legislative briefings to sales discussions.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead government affairs and go-to-market strategy for higher education in North America.
• Develop statewide deal pipelines connecting funding sources with educational opportunities.
• Monitor and analyze legislation, providing actionable insights to internal teams.
• Build relationships with policymakers and represent the organization in public forums.
• Manage advocacy partners, setting goals and measuring results to support business outcomes.
• Shape procurement strategies to enhance win rates beyond traditional RFPs.
• Advise senior leaders on digital transformation and technology adoption strategies.

Skills

Public policy

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Director, Strategic Affairs - Higher Education to join the team of a leader in the Education, Government & Non-Profit space.

This role will lead government affairs and go-to-market strategy for higher education across North America, with a strong focus on how public policy, funding, and procurement dynamics shape growth. The position will partner closely with senior internal leaders, policymakers, and external advocacy stakeholders to strengthen market access and support business outcomes. It is well suited for someone who can translate legislative and funding developments into practical commercial strategy while representing the organization in public forums.

The work will require close coordination across sales, leadership, and advocacy partners to improve pipeline development and win rates in a complex education market.

Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $125,000 – $150,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Lead government affairs and go-to-market strategy for higher education in North America
• Develop statewide deal pipelines connecting funding sources with educational opportunities
• Monitor and analyze legislation, providing actionable insights to internal teams
• Build relationships with policymakers and represent the organization in public forums
• Manage advocacy partners, setting goals and measuring results to support business outcomes
• Shape procurement strategies to enhance win rates beyond traditional RFPs
• Advise senior leaders on digital transformation and technology adoption strategies

Qualifications

• 5+ years in government affairs, public policy, or public sector sales with a proven revenue track record
• Experience engaging with C-suite and senior leaders in public and private sectors
• Strong knowledge of education and workforce funding sources like ESSA and Perkins V
• Analytical skills to translate complex policy data into actionable insights
• Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences, from legislative briefings to sales discussions
• Willingness to travel as needed

Benefits

• Competitive compensation with employee ownership program participation
• Flexible work culture with remote, hybrid, and in-office options
• Generous time off, including local holidays and a recharge period in December
• Comprehensive wellness programs and mental health support
• Learning and development resources, including tuition reimbursement
• Access to necessary technology and tools for optimal performance
• Employee recognition program to celebrate contributions
• Inclusive culture focused on support and meaningful connections

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.