Strategic Leader, Higher Education Policy & Growth

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks an energetic, forward-thinking leader to serve as Executive Director to the 21-member State Board of Higher Education. You will direct coordination and support for a world-class postsecondary sector, representing the Board and implementing the 2026 strategic plan, Driving a Prosperous Pennsylvania.

You will guide a staff team to provide data-driven analysis, foster cross-sector collaboration, and engage stakeholders across Pennsylvania’s higher education

Qualifications

• The successful candidate will have a minimum of ten years of executive-level experience in roles related to higher education, including from a workforce or a state policy perspective, with expertise and direct experience in or sustained exposure to state higher education policy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Executive Director with a team of staff to provide robust data and analysis.
• Coordinate cross-sector efforts to strengthen connections between higher education and workforce development.
• Recommend strategies for improving postsecondary enrollment, attainment, affordability, and transparency.
• Build and maintain relationships with leaders from all types of postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania, economic and workforce development, and government entities.
• Implement the Board’s 2026 higher education strategic plan, Driving a Prosperous Pennsylvania.

Education

Ten years executive-level experience in higher education policy

Job description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks an energetic, forward-thinking leader to serve as Executive Director to the 21-member State Board of Higher Education. You will direct coordination and support for a world-class postsecondary sector, representing the Board and implementing the 2026 strategic plan, Driving a Prosperous Pennsylvania.

You will guide a staff team to provide data-driven analysis, foster cross-sector collaboration, and engage stakeholders across Pennsylvania’s higher education