Deputy Director of Public Policy, Legislative Engagement

Who We Are
The Alliance for Decision Education (the Alliance) is a national nonprofit and field builder with the mission of improving lives by empowering K-12 students with essential skills and dispositions for making better decisions. Founded in 2014 and backed by experts in decision sciences, business, and education—including several Nobel laureates—the Alliance believes that better decisions lead to better lives and a better society.
As a field builder, the Alliance partners with teachers, academic and business leaders, families, and community members to raise awareness and lead the growing call to have Decision Education taught in schools across the country.
The Alliance is committed to an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative culture. Our diverse team comprises educators, researchers, subject matter experts, and other professionals dedicated to our mission. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
What We Offer
The Alliance offers a comprehensive total rewards package, inclusive of competitive compensation.
Annual Salary:
$110,000 - $140,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications*
Benefits:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% employer paid)
Basic life insurance and AD&D (100% employer paid)
Short-term disability insurance (100% employer paid)
Long-term disability insurance (100% employer paid)
Employee Assistance Program
401 (k) retirement plan with up to a 5% employer match (100% vested)
Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent care)
Up to 20 days of Paid Time Off per calendar year (prorated the first year based on hire date)
Unlimited paid sick time
Hybrid work schedule
Paid lunch stipend while working on-site
*Salary range is a good-faith estimate based on external benchmarking, internal equity,
and industry standards and may vary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits are subject to change at the organization’s discretion.
JOB OVERVIEW
The Deputy Director of Public Policy, Legislative Engagement is a senior role responsible for advancing the Alliance’s state and national policy agenda through legislative engagement, policy-aligned outreach, and coalition and stakeholder activities that advance Decision Education. This position focuses on legislative strategy, policy development, state-level lobbying and advocacy, relationship-building, and communication with policymakers, external partners, and internal teams.
The Deputy Director will report to the Director of Public Policy within the Public Policy Department.
LOCATION AND SCHEDULE
This full-time role requires an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek. It is an exempt position under the FLSA and is not eligible for overtime pay.
This position is open to local and remote candidates. Local team members follow a hybrid schedule, working onsite at our Bala Cynwyd, PA, headquarters on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and remotely on other business days. Fully remote employees are expected to maintain a productive home-based work environment and work East Coast hours. The role requires 30–50 percent travel for stakeholder and legislative engagements, state capital visits, national conferences, and internal and all-staff meetings at organization headquarters.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Legislative Engagement
Lead the Alliance’s direct and indirect lobbying strategies with the Director of Public Policy, cultivating relationships with governors' offices, state departments of education, state boards of education, and state legislative bodies, as well as with relevant think tanks, coalitions, advocacy organizations, and trade associations.
Proactively monitor and analyze policymaker activity and legislation at the state and regional levels and identify opportunities for engagement and influence.
Draft legislative memos, policy memos, and legislator education and communication materials.
Translate complex federal and state education bills, administrative rules, and public budget allocations into actionable policy briefs, testimony, and memos.
Engage current and past Policymaker Fellows in the design and implementation of legislation, regulations, and pilot programs in collaboration with the Senior Manager, Public Policy.
Manage relationships and contracts with retained lobbying firms in key states.
Strategic Planning and Management
Build regional policy, advocacy, and lobbying plans with the Director of Public Policy, contracted lobbyists, and regional partners.
Support the development and monitoring of department-level Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) related to policy development and adoption.
Collaborate with the Communications team, DPP, and other teams to design research briefings and public-facing toolkits that shape the national narrative around the importance of Decision Education in K-12 education policy.
Support senior‑level relationship management with key strategic policy leaders, including preparation, alignment, and follow‑up for high‑value engagements.
Track staff and stakeholder engagement efforts in Salesforce, Wrike, and other project management tools.
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure public policy activities are aligned, supported, and communicated effectively.
Design and facilitate legislative training and professional development for staff and volunteers who engage in public policy opportunities and engagements.
Represent the Alliance at events, conferences, and in key coalitions and coordinated advocacy campaigns.
These responsibilities may change or expand over time, consistent with the organization’s needs and initiatives.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Requirements
8+ years of progressive experience leading legislative advocacy, public policy formulation, and lobbying initiatives, with a clear focus on the education sector.
Deep expertise in legislative processes, state-level education governance, and public K-12 financing structures.

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
Yes