Policy & Impact Manager

The-Hunt-Institute; Weston (NC); Hybrid; USD 79,240 - 87,164; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

The Hunt Institute is seeking a Policy & Impact Manager to advance education policy from prenatal to higher education. Based in Cary, NC, this hybrid role collaborates with governors, legislators, and senior policymakers to drive equitable reforms.

You will lead research, analysis, and writing, support cross-functional programs and events, and manage multiple projects while ensuring bipartisan participation and diverse speaker rosters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Minimum three years’ policy experience in early childhood, K‑12, or higher education.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible, responsive work style.
• Ability to travel (anticipated 10–15%).

Responsibilities

• Lead Policy Research, Analysis and Writing: serve as subject matter expert; oversee research and reporting; assist in writing papers, briefs, reports, data packets, and recommendations.
• Support Cross-Functional Collaboration: coordinate with Institute teams; share updates; collect events feedback; manage content for events.
• Project Management: manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, meet deadlines; provide grant deliverable details.
• Develop policy responses for inquiries from policymakers and partners.

Skills

Project management

Policy analysis

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Hunt Institute’s mission is to provide unbiased research, technical expertise, and learning opportunities that equip and empower educators and policymakers to drive equitable reforms and become audacious champions for education. Since its establishment in 2001, the organization has emerged as a recognized and credible leader in the movement to transform American public education and a go-to source for reliable, objective, and timely information. The Institute works at the intersection of education policy and politics, supporting state and national officials and empowering them to drive education reform. Its mandate is to inspire and equip elected officials and senior policymakers to make informed decisions that improve the lives of all children. The Institute’s primary audience consists of governors, legislators, and other elected and state-level policymakers.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Policy, the Policy & Impact Manager is responsible for managing, executing, and supporting Institute policy impact, programs, events, and stakeholder engagement. This exciting role collaborates with teams across The Hunt Institute and offers the opportunity to work across the full prenatal -to- higher education and workforce continuum. The ideal candidate will bring at least 3 years’ policy experience and interest in early childhood, K‑12, or higher education. Additionally, the Policy & Impact Manager ensures that each program and event reflects bipartisan participation and that every event supports diversity among speakers and attendees. This position is based out of The Hunt Institute’s office in Cary, North Carolina.

What You’ll Do

Policy Research, Analysis and Writing

• Serve as a key subject matter expert on education policy matters.
• Conduct and oversee project research, analysis, and reporting.
• Assist in collaborative writing and editing of papers, policy briefs, reports, data packets, and policy recommendations.
• Advise Hunt Institute colleagues as well as leadership team about relevant policy issues that could have an impact across The Institute’s work.

Support Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively within The Hunt Institute and support cross-functional work as directed.
• Communicate clearly, share updates proactively, and follow through on commitments.
• Support the collection of events and program feedback and qualitative insights that connect to organizational impact.
• Manage content planning for events, including agenda development, program materials, identifying resource experts in collaboration with program teams, events and communications teams.
• Participate in, and at times, lead initiatives that may include providing state level technical assistance support as needed.
• Support the development of responses to requests for policy briefs, information and comments received from policymakers and partners.

Project Management

• Manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines.
• Identify and implement improvements to strengthen The Hunt Institute’s support for state early learning education and policy.
• Ensure project schedules and timelines facilitate meaningful participation from elected officials.
• Provide grant deliverable details regarding impact for grant and funder applications and reports.
• Perform all related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission and vision of The Hunt Institute, alongside a passion for challenging entrenched systems of educational inequity towards the bettering of public education for all children.
• Exceptional project management skills.
• Awareness of current education policies.
• A strong work ethic, with a results-oriented philosophy and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and accomplish deadlines; ability to pay attention to accuracy and detail while thinking broadly.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Background in education policy is desired.
• Minimum three years’ experience in early childhood education, K‑12 education, or higher education policy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible, responsive work style.
• Ability to travel (anticipated 10 – 15%).

Ideal Candidates will Also Demonstrate

• Knowledge of state and national P‑16 education policy.
• Resourcefulness and good judgment.
• Leadership by example.
• The value of diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Integrity/ethics beyond reproach.
• Constant seeking to apply best practices.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong project management, and the ability to handle multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel and work outside regular business hours as needed for event schedules.
• Willingness to work collaboratively and consider new ideas.
• Commitment to The Hunt Institute’s mission, vision, financial growth, and success.

Work Schedule

This position is based out of our office at 5000 Centregreen Way, Suite 150, Cary, NC, 27513.

This is a hybrid position requiring on-site presence at our office in Cary, NC, three days per week. The remaining two days may be completed remotely from your home office. Employees are expected on-site on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to collaborate on team projects and attend strategic planning meetings. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required. Office hours: 8:30am‑5:00pm

The Hunt Institute offers competitive compensation and an attractive benefits package, including employer paid health, dental and vision insurance and a 401(k) plan with an employer matching contribution policy.

We feel passionate about equal pay for equal work, and transparency in compensation is one vehicle to achieve that. The salary recruitment range for this position is $79,240 - $87,164

Equal Employment Opportunity

At The Hunt Institute, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference check and background investigation.