Program Area Director - Education Research
hace 16 días
Minneapolis
Job Description Build what comes next in education. Child Trends is seeking an entrepreneurial, service-oriented leader to guide our Education program into its next phase of growth and impact. This is not a role for someone who wants to be told what to do or check boxes to follow. It is a role for someone excited to design and lead high data and research into practical guidance that supports educators, systems leaders, and policymakers in addressing some of the most important and urgent questions in education today. If you are driven by outcomes for young people, energized by change and the opportunities within ambiguity, and motivated to lead by enabling others, removing barriers, and supporting teams to do their best work, this role is for you. The Role This position is for a Program Area Director to lead a passionate group of education-focused scientists, technical assistance specialists, research analysts, and assistants in conducting research, evaluations, and technical assistance work, and in communicating findings to improve the lives and prospects of children and youth across the country. Who Should Apply This role is especially well-suited for someone who: • Believes research should drive real-world education decisions and measurable outcomes, • Has a track record of shaping, securing support for, and leading education research, evaluation and technical assistance efforts that influence policy, practice, and systems improvement, • Brings strong mixed methods methodological expertise, particularly quantitative fluency (or deep working knowledge), • Values participatory approaches that elevate student, educator, and community perspectives in research, technical assistance, and decision making, • Leads by coaching, developing, and empowering teams and fostering shared accountability, • Has on-the-ground experience improving schools, districts, agencies, or education systems, • Is excited by innovation, including the potential of AI in research and schools This position reports to the vice president overseeing education research. How You’ll Spend Your Time (Typical) • ~60% leading current projects, overseeing all aspects of major research, evaluation, or technical assistance initiatives, • ~25% developing and securing funding for new projects through funder cultivation, proposal development, and partnership building, • Demonstrated ability to deliver results in education systems, including influencing policy, practice, or implementation decisions, • Demonstrated ability to effectively lead teams, • Extensive experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, including researchers, analysts, and technical assistance providers, • Deep research and evaluation expertise, with substantial experience designing and overseeing rigorous mixed-methods studies and applied evaluations, • Success originating, developing, and securing and securing multi-year, multi-million-dollar grants and contracts from philanthropic organizations, the federal government, and state agencies, • Experience with federal and state contracting, including compliance, deliverables, and partner coordination, • Demonstrated field thought leadership in content or methodological area, • Strong understanding of the U.S. education system and policy landscape across federal, state, and local levels, • Demonstrated strength in research translation and strategic communication with a track record of producing products that make evidence accessible and actionable for decision makers, • Strong or growing visibility in the education policy or education research with a strong professional network of researchers and public officials and frequent opportunities for public speaking in research and policy forums, • Come with relationships or be unafraid to build them?, • PhD or equivalent expertise gained through professional experience, • A respected national platform and trusted voice, • Significant flexibility and autonomy, • A collaborative, mission-driven culture Please apply through the link provided. Submit one combined document including: • Resume, • Cover letter, • Authored thought leadership piece on an education topic, such as a blog or op-ed, report, or presentation Locations: Flexible Remote Work; Child Trends’ offices are based in Rockville, MD; Chapel Hill, NC; Minneapolis, MN. Many Child Trends staff work remotely, and while we are set up to hire remote staff in many states, we are not yet operating everywhere in the US and do not have any overseas operations. We are currently approved to hire full-time staff in AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV. The organization will require time to assess additional set up requirements (e.g., employment and tax law) for locations outside of areas where we are currently approved to hire. Individuals who would like to work from areas outside of the currently approved states, if offered the position, should indicate this preference as early as possible in the application process. Benefits: For all full-time and part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week, we offer generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays; optional individual/domestic partner/family medical, dental and vision benefits effective first day of employment; optional pet benefits; pre-tax reimbursement funds (FSA, HSA, Commuter); life insurance; short/long term disability, basic life and AD&D coverage paid for by Child Trends; paid family leave; paid bereavement leave; professional development and tuition reimbursement allowance; and 403(b) retirement plan with immediate vesting and Child Trends contributions after 1 year of employment. Child Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center headquartered in Rockville, MD with more than 200 staff in over 28 states that provides valuable information and insights on the well-being of children, youth, and their families. For more than 40 years, policymakers, funders, educators, and service providers in the U.S. have relied on our data and analyses to make better decisions and policies on programs serving children, families, and youth. . Child Trends is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.