[Hiring] Lead Policy Analyst @Great Minds

Role Description

Reporting to the Director of Policy, the Lead Policy Analyst will act as a senior-level individual contributor, operating as the team’s primary subject matter expert and analytical engine. This role will take ownership of Great Minds’ policy intelligence work by tracking and interpreting the federal, state, and local landscape to ensure the organization is well-positioned to engage and influence. The position will bring depth, initiative, and independent judgment to complex policy questions and will translate findings into strategies that meaningfully shape how Great Minds engages with policymakers, state agencies, and K–12 stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the team’s primary analytical resource for K–12 policy trends—independently framing issues, synthesizing intelligence across federal, state, and local levels, and contributing substantively to Great Minds’ company-wide point of view on factors shaping the adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials.
• Own the tracking and monitoring of state and local legislation and policy; identify and escalate emerging policy trends with clear analytical context and recommended implications for the organization.
• Lead projects that examine how legislative mandates shape policy action at the local, regional, and state levels; develop findings that are rigorous, accessible, and directly connected to Great Minds’ strategic priorities.
• Translate regional trend analysis into concrete recommendations that help shape the organization’s policy engagement strategy; identifying where and how Great Minds should invest, focus and build relationships.
• Ensure internal stakeholders are equipped to understand and act on the policy environment by producing clear briefings, frameworks, and recommendations tailored to diverse audiences across the organization.
• Represent Great Minds externally at policy conferences and sector events, strengthening the organization’s credibility and visibility among policymakers and K–12 influencers.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in K–12 policy, applied research, or a closely related discipline, with a track record of owning and advancing substantive policy work.
• Proven ability to independently drive research projects from problem framing through strategic recommendation, with strong judgment about when to escalate and how to prioritize.
• Sophisticated command of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, with the ability to synthesize complex findings into accessible, compelling narratives for varied audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and stakeholder demands, balancing ongoing policy monitoring with discrete research projects and time-sensitive requests from across the organization.
• Deep familiarity with state and local policy development processes, including legislative tracking and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated experience converting a complex policy landscape into clear strategic priorities and actionable plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in public policy, education policy, or a related field.

Status

• Full-time.

Location

• Remote.

Salary

The expected base salary range for this position is $107,000-$120,000, however the offered salary may be higher or lower than the above range dependent on numerous factors including, but not limited to location, work experience, skills and internal equity considerations. The base salary is not inclusive of benefits or other incentives.

Application Process

A cover letter and resume are required to be considered for this position. New employees will be required to successfully complete a background check. Any communication to applicants relating to the Great Minds hiring process will only come from email addresses with the domains greatminds.org or greatminds.recruitee.com. If in the course of the application or hiring process with Great Minds you are contacted through another domain, are requested to provide banking or other sensitive information, or you note any other suspicious activity, please contact [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employer

Great Minds is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our policy reflects and affirms the organization’s commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.