Policy Advisor (Managing Consultant), Early Childhood Education Policy and Technical Assistance

Job Family :

Operational Effectiveness Consulting

Travel Required : Up to 10%

Up to 10%

Clearance Required :

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do :

In this fast-paced environment, our team will be working through complex issues using organizational assessment, strategy and implementation leading practices to provide training and technical assistance across states, territories, and tribes.

The ideal candidate for this role will leverage early childhood expertise, technical assistance, change management, organizational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and critical thinking experience to support high-priority projects with a broad impact across the agency.

This role demands expertise in prioritizing conflicting needs, the ability to handle matters expeditiously and proactively, often with tight deadline pressures and minimal direct / supervisory guidance.

Candidates should be able to handle and thrive in an ambiguous environment, with the ability to shift focus to meet the changing needs of the client.

It is expected that a candidate will be able to utilize and build upon minimal instruction to be able to identify and promote positive outcomes and solutions for the client, truly owning their own product.

Management of junior staff activities and deliverables is a requirement.

Identify and proactively address client needs by presenting potential solutions to challenges or issues

Lead team in management of stakeholder engagement, feedback, decisions, project risks, and mitigation strategies

Manage team development of high-quality work products and deliverables such as project vision and strategy, work plans, project timelines, and status reports

Leverage systems thinking experience through discovery, design, and implementation phases

Manage collection of data through various mechanisms including interviews, work groups, and surveys

Lead the conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of data

Co-facilitate interviews, work groups, and other meetings in an effort to generate consensus around process or program matters

Lead team development of client policy recommendations and required technical assistance materials as well as subsequent delivery

Develop and deliver executive presentations with future state recommendations

Develop and lead implementation strategy across various states and local public, private and non-profit organizations

What You Will Need :

Master’s Degree in Education or Child Development

Minimum 7 years’ experience with early child education (strong preference for 10+ years of experience).

Ability to develop strong team and client relationships, facilitation and consensus building

Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to write and edit reports, create briefings for senior executives, research and review market insights, and customize content for various stakeholders

Ability to investigate, synthesize, and break down complex challenges into clear, digestible approaches and solutions that meets the needs of various stakeholders

Strong analytical, problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills required, including a thorough understanding of how to interpret customer and stakeholder needs and translate them into tangible documents and / or deliverables

Ability to identify and ask address client needs : Leading client discussions and meetings

Proficiency in the full Microsoft Suite, including MS Teams, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel

Ability to organize, perform, and track multiple tasks accurately in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment

Proven ability to work independently and collaborate with others

What Would Be Nice To Have :

Experience in presentation to a variety of organizations and convened study groups and commissions

Experience working collaboratively with academic and nonprofit organizations

Experience in preparing and delivering testimony

Co-author special reports / studies, position papers and policy briefs on early childhood education.

What We Offer :

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include :

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays

Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Basic Life & Supplemental Life

Health Savings Account, Dental / Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

Student Loan PayDown

Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities

Skills Development & Certifications

Employee Referral Program

Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach

Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program

Mobility Stipend