US Education Strategic Initiatives Lead, State (West)

Apple Inc.; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 184,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Employee stock plan

Relocation assistance

Product discounts

Job summary

Apple seeks a US Education Strategic Initiatives Lead (State) to bridge public policy, advocacy, and sales in the western states. You will shape education policy, funding, and strategy, while managing Apple’s interactions with state legislators and outcomes across K-20 and health sectors.

Travel up to 50% domestically and coordinate with the Government Affairs team to align funding, policy, and market dynamics with sales goals. Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years in related fields are expected.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Background in public policy, government, legislative advocacy, and/or similar function in business development across multiple government sectors.
• Experience building coalitions to advance public policy and funding initiatives.
• Ability to translate complex legislative language and statutory funding streams into actionable sales strategies and pipeline growth.
• Outstanding communication skills and presentation skills, including ability to craft concise legislative reports, executive briefings, and policy presentations.
• Excellent collaboration and relationship building skills with the ability to influence cross-functionally, navigate organizational structures, and lead complex negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, identify and enhance specific sales opportunities in the K-20 and government markets, as well as the health industry.
• Engage with elected officials, legislative staff, and department chiefs to champion policies and funding mechanisms that enable schools, higher education institutions, health and government entities to purchase Apple products.
• Create and maintain a level playing field in support of Apple products and solutions.
• Establish and maintain active partnerships with key education associations and other advocacy groups.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to regional sales managers and account teams, aligning public policy, state initiatives, funding, and market dynamics with sales strategies across the western states.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Apple's Government Affairs team.
• Communicate Apple's values and competitive advantages to elected officials, policymakers and public sector leadership.

Skills

Public policy

Government relations

Legislative advocacy

Strategic sales alignment

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

US Education Strategic Initiatives Lead, State (West)

Sacramento, California, United States Corporate Functions

Imagine what you could do here. The people here at Apple don't just create products - they create the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it. Apple's Sales organization generates the revenue needed to fuel our ongoing development of products and services. This in turn, enriches the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Our sales team, is in many ways, the face of Apple to our largest customers. The Strategic Growth & Advocacy team plays a pivotal role in accelerating Apple's education business across the United States. As a US Education Strategic Initiatives Lead across western states, you will bridge the gap between public policy, strategic advocacy, and sales execution. You will shape policy, funding, and strategy on education issues and manage Apple's interactions with state legislators. Our team acts as a policy advisor and political consultant to sales account teams, shape education policy and funding allocations, cultivate key executive relationships across the K-20 and state government landscape, and direct advocacy efforts to unlock new market opportunities for Apple technology. This role requires up to 50% domestic travel.

Description

• Develop, identify and enhance specific sales opportunities in the K-20 and government markets, as well as the health industry.
• Engage with elected officials, legislative staff, and department chiefs to champion policies and funding mechanisms that enable schools, higher education institutions, health and government entities to purchase Apple products.
• Create and maintain a level playing field in support of Apple products and solutions.
• Establish and maintain active partnerships with key education associations and other advocacy groups.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to regional sales managers and account teams, aligning public policy, state initiatives, funding, and market dynamics with sales strategies across the western states.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Apple's Government Affairs team.
• Communicate Apple's values and competitive advantages to elected officials, policymakers and public sector leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Background in public policy, government, legislative advocacy, and/or similar function in business development across multiple government sectors
• Experience building coalitions to advance public policy and funding initiatives
• Ability to translate complex legislative language and statutory funding streams into actionable sales strategies and pipeline growth
• Outstanding communication skills and presentation skills, including ability to craft concise legislative reports, executive briefings, and policy presentations
• Excellent collaboration and relationship building skills with the ability to influence cross-functionally, navigate organizational structures, and lead complex negotiations

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of related experience
• Master's degree or law degree is preferred
• Familiarity with the Apple ecosystem and/or strong technical acumen is a plus
• Established network with state and local elected officials, legislative leaders, government agencies, and key associations is highly preferred
• Passion for continuous improvement with the curiosity to uncover gaps, resilience to manage ambiguity, and drive to optimize processes and create solutions
• Forward-thinking approach and tenacity to drive what matters
• Industry knowledge with deep understanding of public sector and state/local government (e.g., customer profiles, trends, challenges, opportunities, etc.) is highly preferred

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $183,900 and $276,700, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs.

Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.

Retirement benefits.

A range of discounted products and free services.

Reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition.

Discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You'll find that idea reflected in everything here - in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.