Executive Director of State Programs
Location: Remote
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
About Accelerate
Accelerate exists to dramatically improve student outcomes at scale by turning evidence into action. As a hub for advancing what works, Accelerate partners with states to scale proven, evidence-based practices that deliver measurable gains for students. We share knowledge and insights across the field to expand what’s possible, working alongside leaders to embed effective solutions into the fabric of public education. By aligning research, policy, and practice through state implementation, we turn evidence into measurable progress, helping students thrive.
Accelerate is a growing organization - equity-centered, results-oriented, and grounded in both optimism and practical implementation. We aim to build a small, talented, diverse team that embodies our core values: accelerating student achievement, seeking truth through evidence, embracing new ideas, multiplying impact through collaboration, and upholding accountability for results and how we achieve them. Team members bring both systemic experience and an entrepreneurial spirit to the work.
About the Role
The Executive Director of State Programs (ED) is a senior executive responsible for shaping and leading Accelerate’s state-level strategy to scale proven, evidence-based practices that deliver measurable gains for students. The ED partners closely with State Education Agencies nationwide to strengthen state systems and better serve students.
Reporting to the CEO, the ED oversees a multi-million-dollar portfolio of state grant programs and directly manages senior leaders responsible for government relations and state program execution. The role ensures strong alignment across research, policy, and practice in service of Accelerate’s strategic goals and its mission to drive outcomes at scale by turning evidence into action. Approximately 20% travel is anticipated.
What You’ll Help Us Do
Strategic Leadership
- Shape and lead Accelerate’s state-level external strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational mission and priorities across a complex portfolio of initiatives, grants, and partnerships
- Shape national and state-level discourse on proven, evidence-based practices that drive measurable student outcomes at scale
- Recruit, launch, and steward state initiatives, supporting partners to implement effectively and deliver results for students
Legislation and Policy
- Anticipate and interpret legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting education, translating insights into timely strategic guidance and external engagement
- Develop and advance model policies and regulatory approaches that enable high-quality implementation of evidence-based practices across state systems
Coalition Building and Knowledge Sharing
- Cultivate trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including state education leaders, policymakers, government officials, and leaders across advocacy and nonprofit organizations
- Build and lead coalitions with national education and service organizations to advance shared federal and state policy agendas
People Management & Culture
- Lead and develop a high-performing senior team, providing clear direction, regular feedback, and meaningful opportunities for growth and leadership
- Foster strong cross-functional relationships, modeling collaboration, trust, and shared accountability across the organization
Who You Are
Successful employees at Accelerate:
- Advance equity and opportunity at scale, articulating and championing a clear vision for student success that embeds diversity, equity, and inclusion into strategy, culture, and decision-making
- Exhibit steady, grounded leadership under complexity, bringing calm judgment and prioritization to high-stakes, fast-moving environments
- Communicate with clarity and influence, building trust-based relationships and alignment across senior internal leaders, boards, partners, and external stakeholders
- Lead with curiosity, humility, and authenticity, engaging meaningfully with diverse communities including students, families, educators, policymakers, local leaders, and funders - and translating learning into action
- Demonstrate disciplined execution and operational rigor, ensuring strong systems and sound judgment in navigating complex requirements, policies, and constraints
What You’ve Done
- Executive-level leadership experience over a sustained period, including responsibility for setting strategy, managing complexity, and driving results in large, mission-driven organizations
- Senior leadership experience within or in close partnership with a State Education Agency, including demonstrated understanding of state-level policy, systems, and political context (preferred)
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is between $225,000 and $275,000. Accelerate also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, technology stipend, 401k with employer match, and generous PTO.
How to Apply
Please submit your application here.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Accelerate is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and has a strong commitment to building a diverse and inclusive team. As such, it is the continuing policy of Accelerate to consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
What We Do
Watershed Advisors powers governments with the vision, talent, and insight to conceive of high-value education and workforce ideas, and then to make those visions an enduring reality for children, families, and workers across entire geographies.
