Executive Director

Apply Now

Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) is seeking a full-time Executive Director. The Executive Director of PACE serves as the organization’s strategic and operational leader. This individual is responsible for advancing PACE’s mission to improve K–12 education policy and practice in California through conducting and facilitating research, synthesizing evidence into actionable recommendations, and engaging policymakers to improve outcomes at all levels of the education system. This role requires a visionary and strategic leader who can navigate complex stakeholder relationships, maintain PACE’s nonpartisan reputation, and position the organization for continued success.

This position is an appointment with Stanford University, where PACE’s office is located. Consideration will be given to a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite) because the position requires regular travel to Sacramento and throughout California. Candidates should submit a cover letter and CV addressing their interest in and qualifications for the position. Applications should be submitted through the Stanford University Careers application portal. Initial review of applications will begin on February 17, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

About Us

Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) is an independent, nonpartisan research center that bridges academic research and education policy in California. Founded in 1983, PACE is a collaboration between Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCLA, and USC, and is housed at Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE). It plays a critical role in providing high-quality research and evidence-based policy recommendations to improve education in California. PACE’s unique position as a collaborative effort of leading universities provides it with unparalleled credibility and access to expertise across the state.

Position Description

The PACE Executive Director leads a small, dynamic staff that partners with faculty across the state and nation to produce research that is objective, nonpartisan, relevant, and accessible in order to impact education policy in California. Reporting to Benjamin Domingue, Associate Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Education, the Executive Director works closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure PACE is focusing on pressing and promising issues facing California. Internal stakeholders include five faculty directors representing each member research institution, PACE staff members, and individual PACE researchers at affiliated universities. External stakeholders include California policymakers (e.g., legislators, legislative staff, finance staff, Governor’s Office, State Board of Education, county and district leaders) as well as funders, peer researchers, education policy advocates, and journalists.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership direction and oversee subordinate staff members who have program responsibility. Identify and strategically pursue opportunities to expand PACE’s influence and reach within the education policy community. Examine and recommend opportunities for PACE to grow its impact via different ways of engaging policymakers and/or working on a wider range of issues beyond the TK–12 system. Ensure PACE’s work reflects the diversity of California’s student population and focuses on addressing the needs of historically underserved populations. Oversee PACE’s day-to-day operations, including staff management, budgeting, and resource allocation, and foster a collaborative organizational culture. Lead efforts to clarify and strengthen PACE’s governance structure, ensuring effective collaboration among faculty directors, staff members, and advisory groups.
• Design, develop, and oversee implementation of the most complex PACE programs. Devise and implement vision, strategy, goals, and resource development in consultation with faculty directors. Assess entity efficacy. Shape development of research programs. Provide guidance to program staff. Develop and implement a strategic vision for PACE that aligns with its mission and core values of bringing research and evidence to bear on the most critical issues in the state to achieve improvement in performance and more equitable outcomes at all levels of California’s education system. Monitor and interpret developments and trends in California’s education policy landscape, including legislative initiatives, budget priorities, and equity challenges. Identify and leverage opportunities for PACE to engage in constructive ways to inform policymaking on pressing issues. Represent PACE in high-profile settings, including legislative hearings, conferences, and media engagements.
• Define the overall activities of PACE research programs; allocate appropriate staffing and other resources to achieve objectives. Develop and direct related policy. Ensure the production of high-quality, relevant, and timely research that addresses education policy challenges in California. Help PACE and its affiliated researchers frame and communicate complex research findings for diverse audiences, including policymakers, funders, journalists, and practitioners. Maintain and enhance PACE’s reputation as a nonpartisan and credible source of education policy insights.
• Develop, maintain, and control the financial budget related to PACE programs; shape financial strategy and long-range financial planning. Serve as PACE’s principal advocate with funders. Secure funding from foundations, government agencies, and other sources to sustain and grow PACE’s operations. Maintain and build relationships with current and prospective funders, ensuring alignment between funder priorities and PACE’s mission; identify innovative funding opportunities and partnerships to support PACE’s long-term sustainability. Plan for PACE's future by considering and making recommendations toward whether and how fast PACE should grow over time (in resources, staffing, and research scopes) and what resources and work may be needed.
• Engage with a diverse set of stakeholders to extend PACE’s impact. Sustain and build strong relationships with state and local policymakers, funders, university partners, and faculty researchers. Maintain and develop relationships with California education policymakers, advocacy groups, and other education stakeholders to ensure PACE’s research aligns with and informs state education policy priorities. Serve as a trusted intermediary between the interests of academic researchers and the needs of policymakers and education leaders. Find new opportunities and venues for PACE to effectively communicate its research findings to policymakers and advocates, growing the audience of stakeholders accessing PACE research.

Minimum education and experience requirements include:

• Advanced degree or combination of relevant education, training, and/or experience (PhD preferred but not required). Five or more years of relevant experience in the area of specialization and five or more years relevant experience managing staff.
• Experience managing a budget and developing financial plans, program partnerships, and funding sources.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
• Advanced oral, written, and analytical skills exhibiting fluency in an area of specialization.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Ability to manage budgets and develop financial plans.

Desirable qualifications include:

• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, funders, researchers, and practitioners.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex research into accessible and actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners.
• Significant knowledge of California’s education policy history and landscape, and/or prior experience working to research or advance education policies in the state; deep understanding of or experience with California’s education policy environment, including key institutions and actors, funding systems, and reform priorities, or demonstrated ability to quickly develop such expertise.
• Familiarity with the diverse needs of California’s student populations, including underserved groups such as English learners, students from low-income communities, and students with disabilities.
• Professional experience working to advise California policymakers, education leaders, or advocacy organizations.
• Experience leading and managing a comparably sized organization or initiative that involves advances in research, policy, and practice.
• Familiarity with the unique governance structure of universities.

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to working at Stanford University. Candidates must be eligible to work in the US. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

The expected pay range for this position is $164,922 - $206,189 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to): the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford Is For You

Stanford’s dedicated 16,000+ staff come from diverse educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement. At Stanford, we seek talent committed to excellence, driven to impact the future of our legacy and improve lives on a global scale. We provide market competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our unique perks align with what matters to you. We pride ourselves in being a culture that both encourages and empowers you.