Director, State Data Initiatives

Coleridge Initiative

. Lead assigned policy domains and state engagements within Coleridge’s state portfolio .

Posted 10/14/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $135,000 - $155,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading complex state engagements, including project management, cross-agency collaboration, and administrative data initiatives. Possesses strong relationship management and communication skills to effectively engage with state leaders and stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Project ManagementCross-Agency CollaborationAdministrative Data InitiativesState Government OperationsRelationship Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Data GovernanceEvidence-Building InitiativesBudget MonitoringPolicy AnalysisImplementation StrategiesData Use AgreementsLearning AgendasReadiness AssessmentsFacilitationPresentation Skills

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsRelationship ManagementFacilitation Skills

Tools & Technologies

Secure Data EnvironmentsData VisualizationDashboards

Industry Keywords

Statewide Longitudinal Data SystemsPublic PolicyApplied ResearchWorkforce DevelopmentK–12 EducationPostsecondary EducationHuman ServicesEconomic Mobility

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead assigned policy domains and state engagements within Coleridge’s state portfolio
Assess state agency priorities, institutional context, data capacity, and readiness for administrative data collaboration
Advise state partners on cross-agency collaboration, data governance and stewardship, evidence-building priorities, and administrative data use
Apply knowledge of state decision-making, budget and procurement processes, interagency relationships, and policy environments to address implementation challenges
Lead substantive discussions with agency leaders, program staff, data stewards, researchers, legal counsel, and technical teams
Develop domain priorities with the Vice President and identify opportunities for partnerships, applied research, and cross-state learning
Serve as project lead for designated state engagements from scoping and initiation through implementation and closeout
Define project objectives, outcomes, workstreams, acceptance criteria, workplans, resource needs, and responsibilities
Direct the substantive work of project teams, consultants, and subject matter experts
Partner with project management staff on schedules, task tracking, dependencies, budget monitoring, risks, and reporting
Monitor project and domain progress, resolve substantive and partner issues, assess scope changes, and escalate decisions as needed
Serve as substantive relationship lead for state engagements and coordinate complex agency-level issues
Use partner feedback and engagement outcomes to improve technical assistance and delivery approaches
Support training and other research products
Identify and assess new state opportunities with the Vice President and other staff
Contribute expertise to proposals, scopes of work, technical approaches, pricing assumptions, and contract renewals
Build relationships with state leaders and cross-sector partners
Represent Coleridge at conferences, working groups, and partner convenings
Contribute to presentations, written resources, convening themes, agendas, speakers, and peer-learning opportunities

Requirements

What you’ll need

7–10 years of relevant experience in state government, administrative data initiatives such as Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) or P20W integrated data efforts, public policy, applied research, technical assistance, or public-sector program improvement, including leadership of complex state engagements
Demonstrated substantive experience working within or closely with state government agencies on administrative data initiatives required; prior employment in a state agency strongly preferred
Deep understanding of state agency operations, including decision-making structures, interagency coordination, budget and procurement processes, and policy and implementation constraints
Deep subject matter expertise in at least one relevant policy area, such as K–12 education, postsecondary education, workforce development, human services, corrections, or economic mobility
Experience helping agencies develop or implement cross-agency data collaborations, governance approaches, readiness assessments, learning agendas, data use agreements, or evidence-building initiatives
Understanding of how administrative data is collected, managed, linked, and used
Demonstrated experience serving as project or engagement lead for complex state initiatives, including responsibility for substantive approach, multidisciplinary team direction, partner relationships, deliverable quality, scope, timelines, and budgets
Experience coordinating consultants, subject matter experts, and multidisciplinary project contributors
Strong facilitation, presentation, relationship management, and communication skills
Ability to translate complex data, governance, and policy issues for varied audiences
Advanced degree preferred, or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and equivalent combination of education and experience required
Familiarity with secure data environments, restricted-use data, privacy-preserving research workflows, dashboards, or data visualization preferred
East Coast preferred
Some travel required
Availability for work programmed on weekdays, weekends, and evenings

Benefits

Comp & perks

Remote-based position
Some travel opportunities/requirements
Equal opportunity, affirmative action employer
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities