Senior Policy Analyst, Workforce and Postsecondary Pathways

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) employer matching

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid time off

Professional development

Health insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Mental health & wellness support

Job summary

Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) in Washington, DC is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst to support its Workforce and Postsecondary Pathways portfolio. The role focuses on research, policy analysis, and educating policymakers to align education with labor market needs.

The position emphasizes data-driven analysis, development of policy materials, and collaboration with federal, state, and higher-ed stakeholders. It offers a hybrid schedule and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five or more years of relevant experience in higher education, workforce, or social policy, or a relevant advanced degree and four or more years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of traditional postsecondary education landscape
• Understanding of labor market needs and education-workforce collaboration
• Strong quantitative and research skills with data interpretation
• Experience analyzing legislation, regulations, or program funding and translating findings into policy recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences
• Strong project management and ability to juggle multiple projects
• Collaborative approach across teams and stakeholders
• Authorization to work in the United States — no visa sponsorship by BPC

Responsibilities

• Lead research and analysis on workforce and postsecondary pathways policy
• Educate policymakers and stakeholders on labor market conditions and gaps
• Draft reports, briefs, fact sheets, explainers, articles, and memos
• Analyze innovative approaches aligning postsecondary programs to demand
• Assess credential outcomes and develop talking points for Hill and media
• Build relationships with congressional staff, government officials, and educators
• Plan and execute meetings, roundtables, and convenings
• Support funder proposals, reports, and correspondence
• Track federal and state legislative and regulatory developments

Skills

Strong quantitative analysis

Excellent communication

Policy research

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Data interpretation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Policy Analyst, Workforce and Postsecondary Pathways

Human Capital Full Time Professional Washington, DC, US

Salary Range: $85,000.00 To $100,000.00 Annually

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a Washington, DC-based think tank that brings together leaders from across the political spectrum to develop and advance practical, bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing Americans. Through policy development and advocacy, BPC and its advocacy affiliate, BPC Action, work to turn ideas into meaningful results in Washington and beyond.

Our work spans some of the nation’s most consequential domestic policy issues, with a focus on lowering the everyday cost of living for families, expanding opportunity, strengthening the American economy, and improving the effectiveness of government.

Shape the future of education and workforce policy. Build pathways to opportunity .

BPC seeks a dynamic Senior Policy Analyst to support its Workforce and Postsecondary Pathways portfolio within the Human Capital Program. The Workforce and Postsecondary Pathways team educates policymakers and other leaders about labor market conditions, develops bipartisan strategies that put the needs of people and employers first, and helps navigate people to opportunity. With an emphasis on postsecondary education, the team works to build pathways that align to employer demand, recognize the skills people already have and the gaps they need to close, and match learners to good jobs. Central to this work is a healthy learning ecosystem in which colleges, universities, and training providers push the envelope on how best to serve their customer: the student. We work closely with diverse stakeholders, including federal, state, and local policymakers, institutions of higher education, employers, workforce boards, philanthropic partners, and other strategic allies, to advance our research and analysis nationwide. To drive this work, the team leverages three levers of change: research, including data-driven analysis of labor market and postsecondary outcomes; convening, bringing together policymakers, institutions, employers, and other stakeholders to develop shared solutions; and education, equipping lawmakers and other leaders with the context, technical assistance, and on-the-ground insight they need to act.

Responsibilities:

• Lead research and analysis on workforce and postsecondary pathways policy, spanning traditional higher education issues such as student aid, affordability, and completion, as well as emerging models that link education and training to the labor market
• Help educate policymakers and other stakeholders on labor market conditions, in-demand skills, and gaps between what education and training programs deliver and what employers need
• Draft reports, issue briefs, fact sheets, explainers, articles, and memos for policymakers and other external audiences
• Identify and analyze innovative state, institutional, and employer-led approaches that align postsecondary programs to demand, recognize prior learning and existing skills, and improve how institutions serve students, including drafting and coordination with state officials, institutions, employers, and partners
• Analyze postsecondary access, completion, and employment and earnings outcomes data to assess the value of credentials, and develop talking points and materials for Hill and media audiences
• Build and maintain relationships with congressional staff, executive branch officials, institutions of higher education, employers, workforce leaders, and philanthropic partners
• Help plan and execute meetings, roundtables, and convenings related to the Workforce and Postsecondary Pathways portfolio
• Work with the Workforce and Postsecondary Pathways director to support funder proposals, reports, and correspondence
• Track federal and state legislative and regulatory developments relevant to higher education, student aid, workforce development, and apprenticeship policy

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and five or more years of relevant experience in higher education, workforce, or social policy, or a relevant advanced degree and four or more years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of the traditional postsecondary education landscape, including two- and four-year institutions, federal student aid, and higher education policy
• Understanding of labor market needs, skills gaps, and how education and workforce systems collaborate to connect individuals with employment opportunities
• Strong quantitative and research skills, including experience analyzing and interpreting complex datasets to inform policy recommendations
• Experience analyzing federal or state legislation, regulations, or program funding and translating findings into actionable policy recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research and policy issues into clear, accessible materials for diverse audiences
• Strong project management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and deliver high-quality work.
• Collaborative approach to working with colleagues and stakeholders across teams and functional areas
• Authorization to work in the United States -- BPC does not sponsor employment visas

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Master's degree in public policy, education policy, economics, or a related field
• In-depth knowledge of federal higher education policy, including the Higher Education Act, accreditation, institutional accountability, and federal student aid programs
• Familiarity with emerging and nontraditional postsecondary education models, including short-term and stackable credentials, competency-based education, apprenticeships, work-based learning, career and technical education, and dual enrollment
• Knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and its relationship to workforce development and postsecondary education
• Experience working with large-scale education, workforce, or labor market datasets, such as IPEDS, College Scorecard, NPSAS, state longitudinal data systems, or job postings and skills data
• Experience working with employers, industry associations, workforce boards, higher education institutions, or training providers to align educational programs with labor market demand
• Experience using data visualization tools, such as Datawrapper, to communicate research findings and policy insights

What We Offer:

BPC offers a highly competitive salary and provides generous benefits.

Compensation

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $85,000 to $100,000. BPC considers a variety of factors when making compensation decisions, including relevant experience, skills, education, training, knowledge, internal equity, and organizational and business needs.

Medical Benefits

BPC offers medical coverage through CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield with a choice of three plans, one of which is HSA eligible with an annual BPC contribution. All medical plans cover in-network preventive care at 100% and include prescription drugs. Dental and Vision coverage through MetLife includes no-cost options for you and your family.

Additional benefits include:

• Retirement Savings: 403(b) employer matching contributions of up to 7% of salary, plus an additional 2% non-elective employer contribution (both available after 90 days of employment)
• Generous Paid Time Off: 15 vacation days, 2 personal days, 15 sick days, 11 paid holidays, and a paid end-of-year break
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually after one year of employment
• Professional Development: Up to $2,000 after six months of employment
• Employer-Paid Insurance: Life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Health care, dependent care, and parking
• Mental Health & Wellness Support: Access to Spring Health and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Working at BPC

BPC operates on a hybrid schedule. Staff work in our DC office Tuesday through Thursday and can work remotely or in the office on Mondays and Fridays.

More About BPC and BPC Action

Founded in 2007, the Bipartisan Policy Center and its advocacy affiliate, BPC Action, are unique in their approach to solving the nation’s most pressing issues. BPC brings together diverse perspectives from across the political spectrum to develop practical policy solutions, while BPC Action works directly with legislators and policymakers to help turn those solutions into results.

What sets BPC apart is our ability to operate at the intersection of policy development and political advocacy. We build consensus across the aisle and work with leaders from both parties to advance meaningful reforms.

Ideas
BPC brings together respected policy experts, former congressional and administration officials, private-sector leaders, current and former policymakers, and other experts to develop solutions to America’s most pressing challenges.

Action
Policy development is only the beginning. BPC Action advances bipartisan solutions by providing political and technical assistance, identifying and supporting legislative champions, and leveraging relationships with policymakers to help move ideas through Congress.

Results
In 2025, BPC and BPC Action helped support the introduction of more than 120 bills in the House and Senate and helped advance more than 40 bills beyond committee. We engaged with more than half of all congressional offices, expanding our reach across both parties.

BPC is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.