Director of Regulatory Strategy and Government Relations

Position Summary:

The Director of Regulatory Strategy and Government Relations will establish and maintain key relationships in state legislatures and other government stakeholders.  You will assist internal clients with the interpretation of applicable accreditation standards and regulations. You will play a key role in providing company-wide monitoring, oversight, and support for regulatory compliance. You will be a subject matter expert in one or more areas of institutional accreditation (DEAC, Middle States, Cognia), with the ability to influence at the team level, and you will aggregate, analyze, and communicate trends related to state regulatory landscape to business leaders. Additional responsibilities will include, but not limited to; identifying, researching and driving opportunities for process and program improvements, new program opportunities as well as owning and maintaining processes around each component of regulatory strategy.

This position requires a sophisticated understanding of education policy, legislative strategy and a proven track record of political acumen.   The successful candidate will be experienced in stakeholder engagement and representing an organization internally and externally. The successful candidate must perform well in a team environment, with the ability to work effectively and independently.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serve as point person with outside government relations firms in select states
• Represent the interest of Penn Foster Group before state, legislative, accreditors and other administrative and regulatory bodies 
• Maintain and track relevant state program opportunities
• Identify and target opportunities where accreditation presents a strategic advantage
• Review, monitor, forecast and analyze applicable legislative and regulatory issues and trends primarily in the high school and secondary school market
• Engage with state policymakers to advocate for legislation and policies favorable to our Company and industry that align with our policy framework and are consistent with our regulatory strategy and Company values.
•  Maintain a robust federal intelligence gathering network and identify and apprise management of political and legislative opportunities and threats of importance to the Company.
• Create and implement strategic plans for effective government relations engagement with federal public policy makers based on the Company’s business priorities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 7-10 years of experience as regulatory strategist, legislative staff, department/agency staff or in a trade association or corporate government relations role; Education industry experience preferred. 

About Us:   At Penn Foster Group, we are transforming online learning to help learners by bringing together Penn Foster, CareerStep, Ashworth College, James Madison High School, the New York Institute of Photography, the New York Institute of Art and Design, and other education platforms. Together, we create an accelerated path to greater economic mobility through real-world skills and knowledge that enable learners to achieve long-term success in the workplaces of the future.  Our history dates back to 1890 when our founder, Thomas Foster, pioneered distance education by offering training by mail for coal miners to get the necessary skills for safer jobs. Today, with the partners who use our education and training programs, we continue that mission of providing accessible training and education for in-demand skills and are building a workforce that’s prepared for the future job market.

Equal Employment Opportunity:  We strive toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn Foster Group by intentionally building teams that are diverse – in identities, lived experiences, and ideas to create a culture where people feel connected to each other and have a sense of belonging. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion because it is the foundation that enables us to achieve what we set out to do as an organization – from maximizing the number of learners who can reach their goals while giving them the kinds of experiences we want them to have, to becoming the type of company we want to work in.  

What We Offer:   We offer a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, generous paid time off, sponsored volunteer opportunities, a 401K with a company match, plus free access to all of our online programs.