The Hunt Institute’s mission is to provide unbiased research, technical expertise, and learning opportunities that equip and empower educators and policymakers to drive equitable reforms and become audacious champions for education. Since its establishment in 2001, the organization has emerged as a recognized and credible leader in the movement to transform American public education and a go-to source for reliable, objective, and timely information. The Institute works at the intersection of education policy and politics, supporting state and national officials and empowering them to drive education reform. Its mandate is to inspire and equip elected officials and senior policymakers to make informed decisions that improve the lives of all children. The Institute’s primary audience consists of governors, legislators, and other elected and state-level policymakers. 

About the role

The Hunt Institute seeks a Program Coordinator for State Engagement (PC-SE) to support its growing state-based work. As The Institute expands its State Legislators Retreat (SLR) model, this position will play a critical role in supporting the program development, coordination, and implementation of The Institute’s SLR model in states across the country. The PC-SE will also support the Hunt State Policy Fellows (HSPF) program, a cohort-based leadership program for local elected officials currently operating in various states. The PC-SE will serve as a key program support for State Legislators Retreats and supporting state engagement convenings/programs such as legislative policy dinners and site visits. The Program Coordinator will support agenda development, identifying and preparing resource experts, timeline of material development, and coordinating the full project timeline.  In this role, the PC-SE will help execute The Hunt Institute’s state engagement programs from start to finish, fostering bipartisan collaboration among legislators, policymakers, and resource experts during both the planning and implementation phases. 

Key responsibilities include communicating with resource experts and their administrative colleagues, creating and updating agenda templates, and assisting with the planning and management of assigned programs. The PC-SE will also support outreach efforts by connecting with legislators’ staff, resource experts, and policymakers to encourage event participation, assist with recruitment for cohort models, and enhance overall engagement strategies. The PC-SE will also support policy tracking for state legislative and local leaders, maintain tracking systems, and monitor elections relevant to leaders engaged by the State Engagement Team. The PC-SE will be based out of The Hunt Institute’s office in Cary, North Carolina. The current hybrid schedule is three days in the office each week, and two days’ work from your home office within 45 minutes of our Cary, NC office. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required. Office hours: 8:30am-5:00pm.

Priority will be given to applicants who apply by August 31, 2026.

What you'll do

• Contribute to the design and development of major Institute policymaker convenings around the country, including State Legislators Retreats, Hunt State Policy Fellows meetings, and other learning experiences for state legislators and local policymakers.
• Serve as a critical support to the State Engagement team, taking regular meeting notes, providing content support and tracking, and managing key dates and deadlines.
• Develop and regularly update program management documents and work with the State Engagement team to ensure everything is on track.
• Communicate with external partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to support their attendance at and participation in Institute programming.
• Develop materials (grant reports, issue briefs, key takeaways, PowerPoint presentations, web content, etc.) to support The Hunt Institute’s strategic plan and mission.
• Participate and support meetings with external partners and policymakers, as directed by the Director of State Engagement
• Provide meeting summaries and analysis of major issues impacting education around the country.
• Identify and recommend potential funders for programs to support the development, longevity, and success of programs.
• Monitor action and issues in partner states in order to provide the most relevant content possible to legislators.
• Support and work on multiple projects, work within tight deadlines, and prioritize work as necessary.
• Serve as a thought partner on a growing team that is working to develop high-quality systems and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission and vision of The Hunt Institute, alongside a bipartisan passion for challenging entrenched systems of educational inequity towards the bettering of public education for all children.
• Experience working for elected officials, political campaigns, PACs, advocacy campaigns, or political committees a plus.
• Awareness of the education continuum (early learning, K–12 education, and higher education/workforce development). Demonstrated program management experience.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Passion for investing in the growth of colleagues; able to motivate and rally support in service of organizational mission and goals.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and accomplish deadlines; ability to pay attention to accuracy and detail while thinking broadly.
• Ability to anticipate and identify challenges before they happen and take the initiative to address the issue in an appropriate manner.
• A strong work ethic, with a results-oriented philosophy and personal qualities of trustworthiness, openness, accessibility, kindness, flexibility, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3 - 5 years of relevant work experience preferred.
• Ability to travel (15 - 20% estimated)

What We Offer

The Hunt Institute offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including employer paid health, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer matching, and a generous paid time off package that includes a winter wellness break, "Invest in Yourself" days, and holiday pay. We are committed to equal pay for equal work, and transparency in compensation is one vehicle to achieve that. The salary recruitment range for this position is $56,553- $62,209.

Work Schedule

This position is based out of our office at 5000 Centregreen Way, Cary, NC, 27513. All employees are on-site on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to collaborate on team projects and attend strategic planning meetings. The remaining two days may be completed remotely from your home office. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required. Office hours: 8:30am-5:00pm

Equal Employment Opportunity

At The Hunt Institute, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference check and background investigation.