Senior Policy Advisor, Federal and State Policy

Organization Overview

Advance Illinois is a not-for-profit policy and advocacy organization that works toward a healthy public education system that prepares students to achieve success in college, career, and civic life. We are committed to an aligned education system across the B-20 continuum that strives for equity, stresses college and career readiness and completion, and supports the whole child from the earliest years through adulthood. We believe every child should have access to high quality education and care, regardless of geography, income, or race. Spanning early childhood through higher education continuum, Advance Illinois analyzes research, data, and best practice; engages practitioners, families, and partners; and develops and promotes policies designed to strengthen public education, higher education, and early childhood education and care in Illinois. We are seeking a passionate and committed individual who is looking to grow in the not-for-profit space and can thrive in a fast-paced and high-energy workplace to work on the Policy Team, supporting initiatives related to early childhood education and care in Illinois.

Position Summary

Advance Illinois seeks an experienced Senior Policy Advisor to (1) lead the organization’s work regarding changes at the federal level, and (2) provide leadership on policy issues relating to educatory quality and strengthening and diversifying the educator pipeline.

The ideal candidate is a systems thinker, with experience around Illinois-specific policies, stakeholders, and context, and strong knowledge of (1) the federal landscape – including system challenges and opportunities, and (2) the intersecting issues involved in strengthening the flow of well-trained and diverse candidates into schools and programs.

The Senior Policy Advisor will report to the Director of Policy. We are looking for a strategic thought partner and self starter who can work independently and is comfortable working in a small team environment and partnering not only with staff members, but with a diverse network of outside partners and stakeholders.

Competencies

• A systems thinker, with the ability to identify key policy levers, opportunities, challenges, and solutions to the everchanging federal landscape that are aligned to the organizational priorities.

• An ability to help the team create a vision and strategic plan for how the organization should engage in federal-level policy long-term.

• Excellent research, analytic, and problem solving skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize large amounts of information and identify data-driven solutions to policy challenges.

• Excellent communication skills, including writing, speaking, listening, and advising.

• Deep knowledge of federal education policy, programs, systems that support the full B-20 continuum, as well as understanding the context at the state and national level.

• Familiarity with educator quality research and policy as well as the interconnected issues that impact both the strength and diversity of educator pipelines, including teachers, leaders, school support personnel, and early childhood professionals.

• Understanding of the systemic and structural barriers that lead to inequities in education, especially those related to how federal- and state-level education policy interacts.

• Knowledge of the political, policy, and partner landscape, preferably with existing relationships with stakeholders in the Illinois education landscape.

• Demonstrated experience identifying and crafting effective policy solutions.

• Proficiency in using software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point, and willingness to master additional software and systems.

Essential Functions

• Lead the organizational strategy in the federal landscape through delivering relevant and timely expertise to Advance Illinois staff.

• Provide policy analysis and technical assistance to partners, the state, coalitions, committees, task forces, and work groups in which Advance Illinois participates.

• Lead and influence meaningful conversations around levers, practices, and system structures to promote equity and address barriers to equity within the education system – with close attention to what changes are necessary due to federal policy changes.

• Make connections around the intersection of federal- and state-level policy along the B-20 spectrum.

• Independently engage external stakeholders around policy solutions and common goals.

• Seek out and develop innovative solutions, ideas, and best practices to impact Illinois’ educator pipeline.

• Create issue briefs, fact sheets, testimony, presentations and slide decks, and memoranda on policy issues and best practices for internal and external stakeholders.

• Organize, participate in, and conduct workshops, conference sessions, and seminars.

• Organize and lead internal and external meetings.

• Promote growth of others by sharing knowledge and experience.

• Actively engage diverse stakeholders and ensure inclusion of diverse viewpoints (both internally and externally).

• Perform other duties as required, which may include supervising a policy associate.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role, with demonstrated impact

Working Location

Advance Illinois is a hybrid workplace. In general, employees are expected to work from the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a floating day of their choice, and to be present at in-person meetings with partners as needed. The organization has offices in both Chicago and Springfield, abides by CDC and other health and safety guidelines, and staff are expected to be vaccinated.

Compensation

The salary range is $66,000 to $97,000 per year depending on experience and qualifications. Additionally, employees have the opportunity to earn a bonus of 10% of annual salary for a total annual compensation of $72,000 to $106,700. Excellent benefits package includes: health/dental/vision insurance; short-term/long-term disability plans; Simple IRA with a company match plan; flexible spending account; holidays and vacation accrual; and ability to pay into a Health Savings Account.

Commitment to Diversity

Advance Illinois is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to engaging the skills and leadership of people of color, people from low-income households, people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQIA+), people with disabilities, and other people from diverse backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, mental or physical disability, age, marital status, family status, or veteran status. People from these and other historically marginalized backgrounds and communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply

Complete this survey ( and submit a resume to [email protected]. All submissions will be acknowledged. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Please do not call Advance Illinois.

Industry

• Non-profit Organizations

Employment Type

Full-time