Assistant Director/Director of Education Policy

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (“Committee”) is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization committed to educating the public on issues with significant fiscal policy impact. Our bipartisan leadership comprises some of the nation's leading budget experts including many past heads of the House and Senate Budget Committees, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Government Accountability Office.

The Committee is hiring an Assistant Director or Director of Education Policy to manage and/or lead the organization’s creation and analysis of policy options and proposals primarily related to higher education policy with a focus on federal student loans, Pell Grants, workforce development programs, and higher education tax credits. The position will be a senior member of the policy team primarily tasked with an education policy portfolio. This position will report to the SVP and Senior Policy Director. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Lead the Committee’s Education policy portfolio with a particular emphasis on developing policy options for federal student loans and reforms to reduce the Pell Grant shortfall as well as analyzing fiscally-related education and workforce training proposals as they are introduced by lawmakers.

• Provide project management related to federal education and workforce policy products, research, and stakeholder groups 

• Write papers, issue briefs, op-eds, background memos, and blog posts largely related to education policy. 

• Coordinate and execute activity with external partners and stakeholder groups 

• Assist Congressional staff and media in understanding federal education and workforce training programs and highlighting efficient reforms and savings options.

• Evaluate academic literature, economic data, and relevant government reports 

• Estimate and extrapolate various budgetary estimates

Qualifications 

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years of federal higher education policy experience for Assistant Director/10 years for Director 

• Expertise or high familiarity with the main higher education programs (especially federal student loans and the Pell Grant program) 

• Proven quantitative, analytical, and research skills 

• Proven ability to work in fast-paced team environment

• Strong writing skills, especially the ability to communicate policy ideas and legislative proposals concisely and effectively to a diverse range of audiences

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree, with major in economics, public policy, or a related field preferred.

How to Apply 

Please submit a cover letter, resume, contact information for three references, and writing sample no longer than six pages to jobs@crfb.org. When applying, please write “Assistant Director/Director of Education Policy” in the subject line. 

Salary: $110,000 to $160,000, contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate, with generous benefits package including health, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; 403(b) contribution; and paid time off. Willing to explore higher compensation for an exceptional candidate or a lower range for a promising, less experienced candidate.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive working environment. The Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status and other such factors in accordance with US state and federal laws.