Executive Director, Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

Description

Please Note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $180,000 - $231,813 annually. Our physical office is located in Olympia, WA. This is a hybrid position with the ability to telework. However, you will need to travel throughout Washington State to attend in-person meetings or community events as required by the position.

Terms of Appointment: Per RCW, the Council shall employ an executive director. The executive director shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by the Council. However, the governor may request, and the Council shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the executive director. The governor may dismiss the executive director only with the approval of a majority vote of the Council. The Council, by a majority vote, may dismiss the executive director.

Organization Summary

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a cabinet-level state agency responsible for expanding access to postsecondary education opportunities, advancing educational attainment and increasing student success for all Washingtonians. WSAC actively supports all pathways to postsecondary education, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) and apprenticeship programs.

Through strategic planning, policy leadership, research, advocacy, and program administration, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) serves as Washington's catalyst for educational attainment and workforce success. The Council is committed to advancing equitable pathways to education, training, and career advancement for all Washingtonians while fostering a shared statewide commitment to opportunity and economic mobility. By convening leaders across education, workforce, business, philanthropy, government, and community sectors, WSAC builds consensus, aligns strategy, and drives collective action to ensure that every learner has access to high-quality pathways beyond high school and the support needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

WSAC administers and oversees a broad portfolio of programs and initiatives, including the Washington College Grant, State Work Study, College Bound Scholarship, GEAR UP, Washington's 529 college savings programs (GET and DreamAhead), Career Connect Washington, and a variety of college access and support programs. The agency also serves as a leading source of education research, data analysis, and policy recommendations that help shape the future of Washington's postsecondary education system. In addition, WSAC provides policy, research, and administrative support to several statewide statutory initiatives, including the independent Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board (WEIAOB). Through this partnership, the agency helps advance statewide workforce education priorities while supporting legislative accountability and cross-sector collaboration.

With over 150 employees and responsibility for approximately $590M in financial aid and education investments, WSAC plays a critical role in helping Washington meet its long-term educational attainment and workforce development goals.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Student Achievement Council and is responsible for leading the agency's strategic vision, policy agenda, operations, partnerships, and statewide impact.

This role represents a unique opportunity to shape the future of education in Washington State. The Executive Director serves as a trusted advisor to the Governor, the Council, legislators, educational leaders, and community partners while advancing policies and initiatives that increase educational attainment, improve affordability and access, strengthen workforce readiness, and create greater economic opportunity for Washingtonians.

The Executive Director leads one of Washington's most influential education agencies in an environment where collaboration is essential and formal authority is intentionally distributed. Because the state's K–12, higher education, and workforce systems are governed by multiple independent entities, success depends on the ability to build trust, align diverse stakeholders, shape policy through influence, and inspire collective action in pursuit of Washington's educational attainment and workforce goals.

Building upon a strong organizational foundation, this leader will guide the next chapter of WSAC's evolution as Washington’s leading voice for educational attainment, student success, and systems innovation. The Executive Director will bring together leaders from education, workforce, business, government, philanthropy, and community organizations to develop shared strategies, navigate complex policy challenges, and advance durable solutions that expand opportunity for all Washingtonians.

Through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to equity, the Executive Director will ensure that WSAC's priorities reflect broad stakeholder engagement and are recognized as statewide commitments rather than the positions of any single agency or institution. In doing so, this leader will help shape a stronger future for Washington's students, families, employers, and communities.

Washington is at a pivotal moment in expanding educational opportunity, strengthening workforce readiness, and improving economic mobility. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of educational attainment and workforce opportunity in Washington—creating lasting impact for students, families, employers, and communities while ensuring every Washingtonian has access to meaningful pathways beyond high school and the opportunity to thrive.

Duties

What You’ll Work On

Strategic Leadership for Innovation

• Serve as the Chief Executive Officer and public face of WSAC, providing vision, strategy, and leadership for the organization.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Council's strategic action plan and long-term educational attainment agenda.
• Partner closely with the Governor's office, Council members, executive leadership team, and other key stakeholders to advance educational priorities.
• Serve as a member of the Governor's Cabinet and participate in regular, in-person Cabinet meetings in Olympia, collaborating with fellow agency leaders to advance the Governor's priorities and statewide initiatives.
• Champion innovation across Washington's education and workforce systems by identifying emerging trends, leveraging data and research, and advancing creative, evidence-based solutions that improve student outcomes and expand pathways to economic opportunity.
• Position WSAC as Washington's leading thought leader and trusted resource on educational access, affordability, workforce readiness, postsecondary attainment, and economic mobility.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coalition Building

• Convene and engage leaders from K-12 education, higher education, workforce development, business, labor, philanthropy, Tribal Nations, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Cultivate enduring executive relationships that strengthen collaboration and advance shared statewide priorities across university leaders, community and technical college leaders, school district superintendents, legislators, elected officials, and other strategic partners.
• Facilitate productive dialogue among stakeholders with differing priorities and perspectives to identify common goals and collaborative solutions.
• Represent Washington and WSAC in national forums, professional associations, and philanthropic partnerships.

Policy Development and Advocacy

• Advise the Governor, Council, Legislature, and other policymakers on emerging issues, trends, and opportunities affecting Washington's education ecosystem.
• Advance policies and initiatives that increase educational attainment, improve affordability, and expand opportunities for students and families.
• Lead legislative engagement and maintain productive relationships with policymakers across the political spectrum.
• Promote data-informed policy solutions that address educational opportunity gaps and workforce needs.

Data, Research, and Systems Innovation

• Position WSAC as a national leader in the strategic use of research, analytics, and emerging technologies to inform policy, improve decision-making, and advance student success.
• Strengthen partnerships that support the integration and use of education, workforce, and economic data.
• Champion innovative approaches to increasing FAFSA/WASFA completion, postsecondary enrollment, credential attainment, and student success.
• Advance technology-enabled solutions that improve outreach, engagement, service delivery, and operational effectiveness.

Operational and Organizational Leadership

• Lead a diverse team of 150+ employees and an experienced executive leadership team.
• Oversee agency operations, financial management, human resources, technology, communications, and program administration.
• Ensure sound fiscal stewardship and effective management of agency resources, including oversight of significant state investments in financial aid and educational access programs.
• Serve as Chair of Washington's 529 College Savings Committee and provide oversight for the state's college savings programs.
• Provide leadership and support to Career Connect Washington and other statewide initiatives administered by the agency.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Education And Experience

• Minimum of eight (8) years of senior executive leadership experience leading a complex, multidisciplinary organization with responsibility for strategy, operations, budgeting, talent management, and organizational performance.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Experience serving in a chief executive, deputy executive, cabinet-level, or similarly senior leadership role within a public, educational, nonprofit, or other mission-driven organization.
• Deep knowledge of education trends, issues, and policy, and an understanding of the connections among education, workforce development, economic opportunity, and community prosperity.
• A demonstrated ability to influence public policy and work effectively with governing boards or councils, elected officials, government agencies, business leaders, and other external stakeholders to build consensus and advance shared priorities.
• Experience leading strategic planning and organizational change initiatives in complex and dynamic environments.
• Strong political acumen and the ability to navigate complex, highly visible public-sector environments, including legislative processes.
• Proven success building partnerships and coalitions across diverse stakeholder groups, and the ability to lead through collaboration and influence rather than authority alone.
• Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

Competencies And Skills

• Visionary, innovative and inspirational leader capable of advancing a compelling statewide agenda.
• Exceptional coalition builder with the ability to influence and lead through collaboration.
• Strong political acumen and ability to navigate complex public-sector environments.
• Strategic thinker who can translate vision into measurable outcomes.
• An analytical, data-informed approach to decision-making, with the ability to translate vision into measurable outcomes.
• Outstanding communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
• Strong executive leadership, organizational management, and team development capabilities.
• High emotional intelligence and exceptional relationship-building skills.

Personal Attributes

• Intellectually curious and committed to lifelong learning.
• Collaborative, humble, and approachable.
• Diplomatic and politically savvy.
• Mission-driven and committed to public service.
• Resilient and adaptable in complex environments.
• Ethical, transparent, and credible.
• Innovative and willing to challenge traditional thinking.
• Courageous and willing to make difficult decisions in the public interest.

Desired Qualifications

• Interaction and work with a Council, Commission or Board.
• Hands-on experience with legislatures and the legislative process.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience relates to them.

Supplemental Information

What We Offer

We foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Benefits

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that we offer:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications. Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person is going to read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it. So please be sure to provide clear and detailed information about your work history so your qualifications can be accurately assessed. We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you need reasonable accommodation in applying, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

When completing your application, we encourage you to attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their contact information.

Questions

Our Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard of hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at [email protected].

The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read About Our Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Please describe your experience leading a large, complex organization at the executive level, including approximately how many employees, the scope of your budget, and your primary leadership responsibilities.

02

Describe your experience working with governing boards, commissions, councils, elected officials, or other executive-level stakeholders. Please include the types of organizations and your role in those relationships.

• Required Question