Policy Analyst 2026

Location: Either Washington, D.C., or Boulder, CO, (hybrid), or fully remote for candidates living outside those areas. Salary Range: $65,000-$75,000 About the organization: The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) serves the chief executives of statewide governing, policy, and coordinating boards of postsecondary education and their staffs. Founded in 1954, SHEEO promotes an environment that values higher education and its role in ensuring the equitable education of all Americans, regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic factors. Together with its members, SHEEO aims to achieve this vision by equipping state higher education executive officers and their staffs with the tools to effectively advance the value of higher education, promoting public policies and academic practices that enable all Americans to achieve success in the 21st century, and serving as an advocate for state higher education leadership. SHEEO is particularly interested in providing equal employment opportunities. Read more about SHEEO on our website: https://sheeo.org. About the position: SHEEO is seeking a Policy Analyst to support research, analysis, and projects that help states strengthen postsecondary education policy and improve student outcomes. The Policy Analyst will contribute to the development of briefs, reports, presentations, data tools, and other resources that make policy and research information accessible and useful for state higher education leaders and policymakers. This role supports a range of topics that may include college attainment, student success, data systems, economic development and workforce alignment, and higher education finance. Day-to-day responsibilities include conducting research and analysis, supporting project coordination and implementation, assisting with member engagement and technical assistance, and contributing to the planning and execution of convenings. Strong candidates will demonstrate the ability to communicate complex information clearly, manage competing priorities, and work effectively across teams. This position offers an opportunity to deepen expertise in state higher education policy while working closely with national leaders, policymakers, and partner organizations. Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Conduct research and analysis on state higher education policy to inform projects, reports, and organizational priorities. Draft briefs, reports, dashboards, presentations, and other materials that communicate findings to policymakers, members, and other audiences. Support SHEEO members by responding to information requests and contributing to technical assistance activities. Attend state, regional, and national meetings; contribute to agenda development, logistics, and execution of SHEEO-hosted events. Monitor trends and developments in state higher education policy and contribute to internal knowledge and learning resources. Coordinate project communications, meeting materials, timelines, and logistics related to SHEEO initiatives, convenings, and member engagement activities. Support project planning, coordination, and implementation across research and policy initiatives. Qualifications, Skills, and Experience We are looking for a combination of the following: At least three years of experience in policy analysis, research, or a comparable role. A master’s degree in a related field; a bachelor’s degree in a related field combined with additional professional experience may be considered. Experience supporting projects or research initiatives, including coordinating tasks, timelines, and deliverables. Experience supporting members, constituents, or external stakeholders in a professional association or policy environment. Demonstrated knowledge of or interest in state higher education policy areas, such as student success, data systems, workforce alignment, or postsecondary finance. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret research, policy, and data, and communicate information clearly for state policymakers and practitioners. Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and manage multiple priorities. Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R) and/or data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is a plus. Travel: With offices in two locations and members across the nation, the Policy Analyst will travel periodically to events and meetings. Salary and Benefits: The salary for this position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience, with an anticipated range of $65,000 - $75,000. SHEEO is committed to supporting the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of our staff and their families. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: A 10% contribution to employees’ retirement plans. 22 days of annual vacation, 11 paid holidays, 12 sick days, and office closure from December 25 through January 1. Subsidized health insurance (SHEEO covers 87% of plan costs). Dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance. Professional development support, including funding for conferences, meetings, and short-term courses aligned with employees’ responsibilities. Application Process: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of June 5, 2026. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; SHEEO is unable to sponsor work authorization. Please apply through this site and include the following: A cover letter. A resume or curriculum vitae. Three to five references (SHEEO will not contact references without first checking with the applicant). SHEEO is committed to providing equal employment opportunities.