Director, Washington State Institute for Public Policy

The Evergreen State College

Olympia, WA

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JOB DETAILS

JOB TYPE

Full-time, Employee

SKILLS

Affirmative Action, Alliance/Partner Management, Board Meeting, Budget Management, Budgeting, Business Strategy, Communication Skills, Conferences, Cost Benefit Analysis, Cross-Functional, Decision Support, Economics, Funding, Government, Higher Education, Leadership, Mentoring, Operations Research, Organizational Skills, Policy Analysis, Policy Development, Political Science, Public Policy, Research Skills, Social Science Research, Social Sciences, State Government, Strategic Planning, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player

LOCATION

Olympia, WA

POSTED

30+ days ago

Position Information

Position Title
Director, Washington State Institute for Public Policy

Working Title

Location
Olympia

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. For more information regarding Evergreen's non-discrimination policies or to report discrimination, please visit the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity webpage at www.evergreen.edu/equalopportunity or contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Officer at (360) 867-5371, Room 3102 Library Building, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505.

Union Represented
No

Overtime Eligible
No

Monthly FTE
1.0

Salary Step (minimum monthly amount)
$0

Salary Step (maximum monthly amount)
$14,874.00

Cyclic Position
No

Cyclic Details
n/a

Project Position
No

End Date
n/a

Special Note
This position is a full-time, overtime exempt, "at-will" appointment, exempt from Washington State Civil Service rules and the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime requirements.

Position Purpose
Under the direction of the Board, the Director is responsible for advancing the mission of a nonpartisan public research organization that serves the Washington State Legislature and other policymakers. The Director provides strategic vision, organizational leadership, and oversight of research, ensuring that the agency delivers independent, objective, and policy-relevant analysis to support evidence-based decision-making.

Washington State Institute for Public Policy Profile
The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) is a nonpartisan public research organization located in Olympia, the center of Washington State government. Our multidisciplinary team conducts applied policy research for the state legislature in a collaborative and intellectually engaging environment.

Founded in 1983, WSIPP is nationally and internationally recognized for the rigor, depth, and quality of its research and benefit-cost analyses. We are guided by core values of nonpartisanship, quality, and impartiality, and governed by a 16-member Board of Directors representing the legislature, executive branch, and academic community.

Nature and Scope
The Director reports to the Board of Directors and oversees WSIPP's leadership team, which includes the Associate Director for Research, the Associate Director for Operations, and the Research Manager. The Director is responsible for setting the strategic direction of WSIPP, cultivating and managing relationships with partner agencies, actively engaging with the Board, and ensuring WSIPP's financial stability.

Essential Functions

Develops and advances WSIPP's strategic direction, organizational structure, and identity. The Director ensures that WSIPP remains a valuable and trusted resource for policymakers by directing, coordinating, and engaging in high-quality research.
In collaboration with the Board, develops and maintains a stable funding stream for WSIPP, including funding from the Legislature and external entities.
Works closely with the Board, organizing and convening Board meetings to seek guidance on projects, budgets, and overall direction.
Oversees WSIPP's research activities and maintains awareness of the policy research needs of the Washington State Legislature. The Director stays informed about applied research and policy studies conducted within the Legislature and state agencies.
Establishes standards and channels for releasing WSIPP's research, ensuring credibility and policy relevance. Oversees strategy for sharing WSIPP's work through conferences, collaborations, and other venues.
In collaboration with the Board, ensures that WSIPP's research portfolio reflects legislative priorities and supports WSIPP's mission.
Leads with a collaborative approach, engaging staff in WSIPP's development. Promotes long-term organizational health by guiding the management team, fostering a high-performing and inclusive culture, and making final decisions on personnel matters.

Additional Duties

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Effective organizational leadership skills, including mentoring senior staff and fostering an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture.
Demonstrated ability to secure, manage, and sustain funding to support and advance WSIPP's mission.
Proven ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with legislators, stakeholders, and partner organizations.
Deep understanding of social science and public policy research and its relevance to legislative decision-making.
Capacity to adapt to evolving research methods, tools, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Demonstrated commitment to modeling and upholding standards of nonpartisanship.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively translate WSIPP's work for diverse audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree or Ph.D. in public policy, economics, political science/administration, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education.
At least 5 years of experience in an executive leadership role, with experience overseeing staff, budgets, and operations in organizations of similar or larger size.
At least 5 years of experience providing research or other decision support to legislators or other policy makers.

Desired Qualifications

At least 10 years of experience in an executive leadership role, with experience overseeing staff, budgets, and organizational operations.
At least 10 years of experience managing multidisciplinary teams or research programs.
Demonstrated success in establishing collaborative relationships with Boards, policymakers, and external partners.
Experience conducting research in a social science context.
Strong commitment to research integrity, transparency, and the effective use of evidence in policy development.
Familiarity with Washington State government, legislative processes, and interagency collaboration.
Experience working in a nonpartisan setting.
Proven experience representing an organization to senior officials and partner entities.
Experience in establishing and executing strategic plans and guiding organizational direction.
Experience working with government, legislative bodies, or public sector entities.

Conditions of Employment

Must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Benefits
A full state benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; optional deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For more information about Evergreen's excellent employee benefits, please view https://www.evergreen.edu/payroll/benefits-package.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
S2026-008

Number of Vacancies
1

Open Date
03/16/2026

Close Date
04/13/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

About the Company

The Evergreen State College

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