Vice President, Midwest State Government Relations

Strada Education Foundation champions programs, policies, and partnerships that strengthen connections between education and employment, with a focus on expanding economic opportunities for individuals facing the greatest barriers to success through postsecondary education and training (PSET). The Vice President, Midwest State Government Relations will be pivotal in advancing Strada’s policy goals by leading advocacy efforts across the Midwest region to advance our mission and impact.

This role requires a deep understanding of state government operations, with a strong emphasis on workforce development, post-secondary education, and economic growth. As the primary liaison, the Vice President will engage with state legislatures, governors’ offices, state agency leaders, and advocacy partners. The role involves developing and executing comprehensive advocacy strategies, while building coalitions that advance Strada’s mission at the state level.

Strada Education Foundation is a national nonprofit social impact organization that supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between education and employment in the U.S., with a special focus on helping those who have faced the greatest challenges securing economic opportunity through postsecondary education or training (PSET). Our new strategic plan focuses on five strategic pillars: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordable PSET, work-based learning, and employer alignment. 

We work with partners in education and training, nonprofit organizations, industry, startups, and public policy. We leverage strategic philanthropy, investments, research, communications, advocacy, and collaborating organizations as tools to help advance equitable pathways to opportunity. Strada aspires to be a nonprofit partner of choice working with education and training providers and leaders, policymakers, and peer organizations. Strada offers a dynamic, collaborative, and inspiring professional environment that provides learning and professional development opportunities, both within the organization and with external partners.

Key Responsibilities 

• Robust advocacy strategies are developed and executed across multiple Midwest states, leading to progress on key legislative or regulatory objectives related to workforce development, post-secondary education, and economic development.
• Early wins or significant movement on policy goals are evident, and new opportunities for engagement are identified and pursued.

• Effective partnerships and coalitions are built and maintained with advocacy organizations, policymakers, and key stakeholders across the Midwest region.
• Strada is recognized as a trusted partner in the region, with strong relationships that are driving progress on advocacy goals.

• Timely and insightful policy/legislative analysis informs Strada’s state-level advocacy efforts, contributing to the successful navigation of emerging policy/legislative opportunities and challenges.
• Legislative proposals and regulations are consistently reviewed and prioritized for action, aligning with Strada’s broader 5 pillar policy framework.

• Strong, direct relationships are established with key governors, legislative leaders, state agency heads, and staff, positioning Strada as an influential voice in the region's policy discussions.
• These relationships have resulted in increased access to key decision-makers and opportunities to shape policy in alignment with Strada’s mission.

• Consistent, impactful engagement with stakeholders across the region through travel and in-person meetings, with a demonstrated ability to manage regional coverage effectively while building meaningful connections.

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, or a related field is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience in state government relations, lobbying, or working within a state legislative branch.
• Proven expertise in policy issues related to workforce development, postsecondary education, and economic development.
• Demonstrated success collaborating with advocacy partners, state legislatures, governors, and state agencies to drive policy initiatives.
• Established network of relationships with policymakers and key influencers across the Midwest region.
• Grantmaking experience and coalition-building expertise are preferred.

Travel Requirements

This position requires a willingness to travel 25-30% of the time across the Midwest region and able to work in a hybrid model based in Indianapolis.

Mission and Values Alignment:

Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with Strada's guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.    

Strategy and Innovation Leadership:

Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.   

Strategic Problem Solving: 

Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.  

Execution and Operations Leadership:

Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.  

DEI Commitment:

Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.    

Relationship Building and Collaborative Capabilities: 

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to Strada’s organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. Strada is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace-certified by Diversity for Social Impact, a strategic professional and organization development company dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to drive social impact worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+  and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.