Director of Education Policy

About the Role

The Mackinac Center seeks a Director of Education Policy to help improve the quality of elementary and secondary education for all children in Michigan. The Mackinac Center is at the forefront of nationally recognized education reforms in Michigan. The Wall Street Journal called the Mackinac Center a “leading advocate for a universal education tax credit.” Our Education Policy Initiative is dedicated to helping Michigan students succeed by empowering families with access to a variety of effective educational options. The initiative’s high-quality research shows policymakers and the public how greater freedom can drive innovations that will better meet diverse learning needs.

This full-time position involves researching, developing and promoting reforms that:

• free public schools from needless state and federal government bureaucracy;
• create greater incentives for schools to respect parents and students as customers;
• create greater incentives for continuous quality improvement, parental involvement and efficient use of resources;
• explore how educational choice can provide greater access to a quality education for all families, especially those in more challenging socioeconomic circumstances.

These are great opportunities for impactful work. Many states have expanded educational programs so that every child can receive an excellent education. In Michigan, a growing number of families are pursuing an education outside their assigned district school, by choosing to homeschool, enroll in a charter school or flexible hybrid model, or attend a more innovative public school through the state’s Schools of Choice law.

This full-time position is based in Midland, Michigan, and reports to the Executive Vice President. This role follows a hybrid schedule: in-office Monday through Wednesday, remote Thursday and Friday.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the strategic plan for the Mackinac Center’s Education Policy Initiative, including the research agenda, projects and publications;

• Produce thoughtful, well-researched content that advances the organization’s mission to expand education freedom in Michigan;

• Perform original analyses of Michigan education data to help shape the understanding of policymakers and other influencers;

• Communicate stories and information that advance policy objectives;

• Read relevant news, study research and analysis, and absorb insights that inform policy development;

• Visit schools and programs that highlight innovative and effective education practices;

• Assist the government affairs team in working with education policymakers;

• Build and strengthen the coalition of support for education choice;

• Act as a reliable ambassador of the Mackinac Center’s mission and core values, especially among current and potential supporters of the organization.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to free-market solutions to public policy issues;

• Strong desire to advance Michigan education policies that place children first;

• A track record of leadership, even if in junior roles;

• Ability to conceptualize and execute innovations or experiments;

• Excellent research, analysis, writing and oral communication skills;

• Effectively utilize AI-supported tools to strengthen research, analysis, and policy development;

• Experience in teaching, school administration, education policy or related areas is preferred.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits;

• High-impact, mission-driven work with measurable outcomes — you’ll know you’ve made a difference;

• The opportunity to work alongside some of the nation’s most respected leaders in policy and communications.

The Mackinac Center is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving quality of life by promoting sound answers to state and local policy questions. We advance liberty and opportunity for all people by developing free-market policies, challenging government overreach and influencing public opinion. Our goal is to persuade policymakers to act in the broad public interest rather than narrow private or government interests. Advancing this mission is a team of 45 full-time employees, a 50-member Board of Scholars, and an annual operating budget of $13 million.

The Mackinac Center offers a competitive salary and benefits including but not limited to health, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), employer-paid life insurance policy, short & long-term disability coverage, 403(b) retirement account with employer match, and 30 days paid time off, in addition to 10 paid holidays per year.

We recognize that the right candidate may be located outside of the Midland, MI area and are open to discussing relocation assistance as part of the overall compensation package.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a résumé, a cover letter detailing your interest in the position, and a sample of research or persuasive writing to:

Sarah VandeLaar
Vice President for People and Operations
Email: careers@mackinac.org
Fax: (989) 631-0964

While we thank all applicants for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those whom we are considering for an interview. No telephone calls, please.