Senior Associate, Education Systems, Policy, and Practice

The Senior Associate – Education Systems, Policy, and Practice supports large state- and local-level funding, governance, and other strategic systems initiatives primarily within Afton’s K-12 practice area, with support also provided to Afton’s ECE, higher education, and workforce practice areas. The Senior Associate is a client-facing contributor on a wide variety of projects seeking to create equitable and sustainable education systems, with a focus on funding and governance. The Senior Associate will work under the direction of Directors and/or Project Leads to plan and complete activities aligned to the overall project approach and deliverables. Senior Associates may also manage Associates and Analysts and/or lead small projects. Senior Associates are expected to be proactive self-starters, able to independently plan and manage workload, and deliver high quality work product with limited direction.

The Senior Associate can expect to complete activities such as but not limited to: conducting independent research and literature reviews and synthesizing research into briefs; designing and leading stakeholder engagement activities such as focus groups, interviews, and/or surveys; collecting, organizing, and guiding teams in analyzing quantitative and qualitative data; planning for and supporting the management and facilitation of advisory group meetings and convenings; monitoring policy and law changes and assessing implications for current and potential clients; maintaining project management structures; developing written client deliverables and other written communication materials; and other related work. The Senior Associate will work independently and/or in collaboration with teams to support development of guidance and solutions to client challenges – all in service of helping our public sector clients reach their strategic goals for the constituents they serve.

This is a full-time, remote position with geographic flexibility, requiring up to 10% travel, and offering competitive pay and benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) with company match. The salary range for the position is $105,000-$117,500.

About Afton

Afton Partners is an impact-driven consultancy that reimagines and implements systems, policies, and practices that improve lives. We bring technical savvy and a relational approach to partnerships with clients across the early care and education, K-12, higher education, and workforce development sectors. Since 2011, Afton has collaborated on more than 150 initiatives in 40 states, and our clients include state and local government agencies, public school systems, charter schools, and philanthropies. We’re creative, committed, and energized by complexity. Together, we can solve our toughest societal challenges and co-create a future where each person has the opportunity for growth and fulfillment.

Key Responsibilities

Support Client Engagements

• Understand client needs, and develop and maintain project plans that allow us to achieve goals with our clients and provide effective deliverables
• Organize planning work and develop content for facilitated stakeholder groups (such as commissions, advisory groups, councils, etc.)
• Prepare materials for and support and/or lead briefings with client leadership and/or funders
• Identify, review, and apply research and best practice to inform work process and products
• Conduct and/or lead team in qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and analysis to support direction of the work and recommendations
• Conduct stakeholder interviews and focus groups
• Draft and support dissemination of professional and high-quality reports and presentations
• Earn client trust and develop collaborative relationships with clients
• Manage multiple, complex projects, timelines, and deliverables

Support Afton's Organizational Goals

• Supervise and develop Afton Associates and Analysts
• Support business development and thought leadership through relationship development, research, professional writing, and other methods

Qualifications

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience is required.

Subject Matter Expertise

• Demonstrated understanding of federal, state, and local education systems, programs, policies, and reporting requirements
• Understanding of and experience in state, district, and/or school funding policy is essential
• Experience in school governance and accountability systems, special education and/or multi-lingual learning policy and programs, career & technical education, and/or student mental health & well-being is appreciated

Skills

• Complex problem-solving skills; able to take ambiguous problems and requests to structure a path forward, taking initiative and leading work to realistic deadlines
• Advanced communication skills; translates complex information to various audiences in a clear and concise manner; able to visualize data in the most effective way possible for a given project
• Detail-oriented, prioritizing accuracy and the ability to thoroughly review one’s own work; is meticulous with work products, research, and analysis
• Intermediate project planning and project management skills with demonstrated ability to work independently and with team members from different backgrounds, resolve problems, and perform effectively in complex work situations under the pressure of tight deadlines
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office products, especially PowerPoint and Excel
• Self-awareness of strengths and areas for development

Preferred Skills

• Experience working in or with schools districts and/or state education agencies is highly preferred.
  

Afton Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. A full list of physical, mental and cognitive demands is available upon request. Candidates must be able to accomplish core tasks with or without reasonable accommodation. No visa sponsorship is available for this position. The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.