Job Description
ABOUT US
Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1100 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App’s free online application.
If you are an experienced strategic partnerships professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Senior Director, State Partnerships.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the VP, Network Growth, the Senior Director of State Partnerships leads the organization’s strategy and execution for building and expanding partnerships with state higher education systems, government agencies, and policy stakeholders through public-sector collaboration. A leader with deep relationships and understanding of the access, affordability, and attainment agendas of states, the person in this role is responsible for driving organizational growth and impact by cultivating and securing state-level agreements to implement Common App products and services. This leader will position Common App as a trusted voice and a preferred partner in state and national higher education access initiatives. The Senior Director provides leadership in setting state partnership goals, overseeing government relations work, ensuring retention of current state partnerships and aligning state partnership portfolio needs and opportunities with organizational strategy. They work cross-functionally to design and execute initiatives that advance Common App’s reach, and they represent the organization in high-level engagements with state education leaders (e.g. SHEEOs and CSSOs), elected officials, and non-profit executives.
QUALIFICATIONS
This role requires:
- Candidates must live in the United States.
- Willing to travel to attend twice annual Common App Retreat and approximately 40% travel for external meetings to secure state partnerships and attend conferences.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education, non-profit management or related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
- 10+ years of experience leading complex programs in higher education, with an emphasis on strategic partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and systems-level impact.
- 8+ years of experience as a people manager.
- Demonstrated ability to lead strategic evaluation and continuous improvement efforts by applying data-driven methodologies to assess program effectiveness, inform policy alignment, and drive organizational learning.
- Skilled in convening diverse stakeholders and translating feedback into actionable strategies that enhance program design, align with strategic goals, and demonstrate measurable impact.
- Proven experience engaging executive leaders in higher education, including Presidents, Provosts, and system heads, to build strategic partnerships and influence policy. Skilled at representing organizational priorities in public forums, including policy discussions, state convenings, and national conferences.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that align with organizational strategy, driving execution through influence and collaboration across departments and with external stakeholders.
- Deep knowledge of the higher education landscape, including state and system-level policy, college access trends, and technology-driven solutions shaping the future of enrollment.
- Ability to interpret and apply enrollment data and policy research to inform strategic decision-making, shape partnerships, and influence organizational direction.
- Deep commitment to access and equity in education, with a demonstrated ability to translate these values into scalable strategies, partnerships, and innovations that expand opportunity.
- Proven success in developing business cases, strategic growth models, or policy alignment plans to support organizational expansion and external partnership goals.
- Advanced relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to influence and align diverse internal and external partners toward shared goals.
- Demonstrated ability to lead in highly collaborative, matrixed environments; fosters inclusive decision-making and proactively drives strategic outcomes.
- Exceptional communication, analytical, and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas to senior stakeholders, government partners, and cross-functional teams.
- Strong organizational and execution skills with the ability to manage high-impact initiatives across multiple stakeholders, balancing strategic vision with operational excellence.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Graduate degree in MBA, MA, or doctoral degree in relevant field of study
- Education technology and market/competitor analysis experience.
- Organizational membership experience.
- Proficiency in Salesforce.
- A passion for higher education is a plus.
PAY RANGE
- $174,480 - $196,290
Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:
Work-Life balance
- Virtual-first office
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Seven company-wide holidays
- Nine floating holidays*
- Sick leave
- Monthly mental health day
*floating holidays prorated depending on start date
Virtual-first support
- Choice of PC of MAC laptop
- May choose an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or headset
- One-time office set-up stipend
- Monthly remote work stipend
- Monthly mobile stipend
Financial security
Market-based salaries
Performance-based bonus
403(b) retirement plan
- 5% company contribution
- additional 5% company match
- 3-year vesting schedule
- Participation may begin immediately
Health & wellness
Choice of two health insurance plans
- Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
- Medical Flexible Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
Insurance coverage begins on the date of hire
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Maven virtual clinic for women’s and family health
Company provided life and ad&d insurance
Opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for self, spouse, and dependents
Company provided short and long-term disability insurance
Career development
- Budgeted annual funds for professional development
- Growth opportunities within the company
Additional perks
- Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
- Mutual of Omaha will preparation services
- Mutual of Omaha travel assistance
- Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws
- 1Password family account
We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.
HOW DO I APPLY
To apply for this opportunity, send your resume and cover letter with salary expectations.
PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:
During the recruiting process, please note that Common App will never:
- Provide a job offer without an interview
- Ask for payment to process documents, purchase equipment or for any other reason
- Request banking or credit card information
- Direct you to third-party services to obtain visas or other documentation
As we work alongside you through our recruitment process, please remain alert and never provide financial information or payment to anyone claiming to offer a job opportunity.
If you believe you’re a victim of a job scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state attorney general. To learn more about job scams, read the FBI’s public service announcement or visit the FTC site.
