Position Overview:

Just Right Reader is hiring a Director of Government Relations to lead our state government engagement strategy and manage relationships with lobbyists, policymakers, and public agencies across the country.

This is not a traditional sales role. It sits at the intersection of government affairs, education, policy, relationship development, and strategic growth.

The Director will enter priority states with the support of local lobbyists and develop relationships across the broader state government ecosystem. That may include Departments of Education as well as agencies focused on early childhood, health and human services, corrections, juvenile justice, workforce development, family services, and other areas where literacy and educational outcomes intersect with public priorities.

The Director will also oversee and coordinate Just Right Reader's network of state lobbyists, ensuring that each partner understands the company's priorities, identifies the right decision-makers, opens strategic doors, and maintains momentum between meetings.

The strongest candidate will know how to navigate government institutions, quickly understand the political and policy environment within a state, establish credibility with senior public officials, and translate Just Right Reader's literacy solutions into compelling opportunities aligned with agency and legislative priorities.

Education experience remains central to the role. We are looking for someone who can engage government leaders with the credibility of an education expert while operating with the strategic instincts of an experienced government relations professional.

Key Responsibilities:

Connect Literacy to Public Policy Priorities

• Understand the priorities and challenges facing each agency or government stakeholder and work with government stakeholders to identify where Just Right Reader's solutions align with public-sector needs.
• Connect literacy to priorities such as family engagement, early childhood development, intervention, workforce readiness, juvenile justice, community health, educational equity, and student achievement.
• Lead early-stage discovery and positioning conversations with agency leaders and policymakers.
• Coordinate internally with sales and executive leadership when opportunities move into formal commercial or contracting stages.
• Develop briefing documents, talking points, presentations, proposals, and other materials that support government engagement.

• Advise executive leadership on emerging government opportunities, risks, and developments that could affect the business.

Build Relationships Across State Government

• Develop trusted relationships with legislators, legislative staff, governors' offices, agency executives, policy advisors, and other government stakeholders.
• Engage leaders across Departments of Education and other relevant state agencies, including early childhood, corrections, health, family services, workforce, and related public-sector organizations.
• Participate directly in meetings arranged through lobbyists and other government relations partners.
• Serve as a credible, polished representative of Just Right Reader in meetings with senior government officials.

• Develop briefing documents, talking points, presentations, proposals, and other materials that support government engagement.

Navigate Legislative, Budgetary, and Funding Pathways

• Identify legislative, appropriations, grant, budget, procurement, and agency funding mechanisms that could support statewide or agency-level initiatives.
• Work with lobbyists and internal stakeholders to understand legislative calendars, budget cycles, committee structures, procurement requirements, and decision-making processes.
• Help advance opportunities that may require legislative action, agency approval, budget allocation, grant funding, or multiple layers of stakeholder support.
• Maintain visibility into changing political and funding environments that may affect active opportunities.
• Recognize that state government opportunities often develop over long and unpredictable timelines and maintain consistent engagement throughout the process.
• Develop institutional knowledge about how different states and agencies make decisions so that Just Right Reader becomes increasingly effective in government engagement over time.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Experience in government relations, public affairs, education leadership, public policy, state government, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of how state governments operate, including legislative processes, state agencies, budgeting, appropriations, and public-sector decision-making.
• Experience developing relationships with senior government officials, policymakers, agency executives, or legislative leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Executive presence and the ability to represent an organization credibly in high-level government settings.
• Excellent verbal communication, presentation, writing, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to quickly understand complex policy and organizational issues and translate them into practical engagement strategies.
• Comfort working independently and building structure in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently, generally 50% or more.

Education Experience

Candidates must also bring meaningful familiarity with the K-12 education landscape. This could come through:

• Superintendent or district executive leadership.
• State Department of Education experience.
• Education policy or advocacy work.
• Government relations work within an education organization.
• Senior leadership within an education nonprofit, curriculum provider, or education technology company.
• Experience working directly with school districts, state education leaders, or public education systems.

Candidates should be able to speak credibly about literacy, curriculum, district priorities, educational funding, student outcomes, and the challenges facing public education leaders.

Why Join Us:

At Just Right Reader, we're transforming how children learn to read. You'll be part of a passionate, growing team committed to educational equity, literacy innovation, and joyful learning.

• Mission-driven company focused on improving literacy and education outcomes.
• Collaborative and innovative work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.