Director, Research

The Director, Research is a full-time position within Strada’s postsecondary education research team, reporting to the Vice President, Research who has leadership in affordability and quality coaching activities. The Director leads research on postsecondary education and training, with emphasis on quality education-to-career guidance and affordability. The Director analyzes findings from a range of sources, generates insights, and examines policy and practice implications of the research. This Director also leads the development of reports and other audience-facing communications that engage institutional leaders, employers, policymakers, the research community, and other higher education stakeholders. In addition, the Director, Research contributes to Strada’s broader strategic initiatives through research, partnership development, grantmaking, and identifying opportunities to inform mission-aligned priorities.

The Strada postsecondary education research team develops evidence and insights to help connect individuals to opportunity through postsecondary education — especially those who face the greatest barriers to doing so. We conduct innovative and actionable research, grounded in student experiences, and pointing to solutions with the power to bring stakeholders into partnerships that deliver progress for all. 

Our team pursues a long-term strategic research agenda focused on improved affordability, increased access to valuable work-based learning experiences, and quality coaching with effective education-to-career guidance. Across our portfolio of work, we support a range of activities that includes conceptualization, design, partner selection, partnership development, project management, data collection, analysis, insight generation, reporting and dissemination. As appropriate, our team leads in these activities or engages individuals and organizations with specialized expertise. This position will be located in Washington, DC or Indianapolis, IN with a hybrid work environment working in the Strada office at least two days a week, with the option to work remotely otherwise.

Context

Strada Education Foundation supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between education and employment in the U.S., with a special focus on helping those who have faced the greatest challenges securing economic opportunity through postsecondary education and training. Our strategic plan focuses on improving equitable pathways to opportunity through post-high school education through five strategic areas of focus: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment. 

We work with partners in education and training, nonprofit organizations, industry, startups, philanthropy, and public policy. We leverage strategic philanthropy, investments, research, communications, advocacy, and collaborating organizations in the pursuit of our mission. Strada offers a dynamic, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative professional environment full of learning and professional development through both internal and external partnerships.

Key responsibilities: The Director has four core responsibility areas, listed below with the approximate percentage of time required for execution.

1. Research Planning and Execution (35%)

• Identify research topics and questions of value to the field, with a focus on strategies to improve the experiences and outcomes of students.
• Develop projects, conduct research, and analyze findings.
• Generate insights and learnings from grants and initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to develop and produce research.

2. Communicate Research and Insights (30%)

• Synthesize data and insights across key topics to contribute to knowledge management and subject matter expertise for the organization.
• Author briefs, reports, infographics, and other documents for stakeholder audiences including educators, employers, and policymakers.
• Guide the development of publications authored by colleagues through content strategy and developmental editing.
• Work closely with research, philanthropy, communications, and other teams to develop compelling stories that communicate challenges and innovations across Strada’s strategic priorities.
• Be a public representative for Strada at external events, including panels, conferences, and symposia.
• Create sets of data and insights for use across Strada’s communication efforts, aligning the communications of research and insights across different publications and channels.

3. Develop and Support Strategic Initiatives (25%)

• Build relationships and develop partnerships that advance research priorities.
• Conduct research to identify priority needs and opportunities in the field.
• Explore and develop insights that inform grantmaking and funding opportunities.
• Convene stakeholders and participate in convenings and events hosted by partner organizations.

4. Contribute to Strengthening Strada Organizational Health and DEI (10%)

• Incorporate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into research design, research topic selection, analysis, and writing.
• Integrate DEI principles into hiring practices and vendor selection.
• Participate in Strada’s DEI learning journey and conversations.
• Model inclusion and respect in working with colleagues in a transparent and collaborative way.

The Person: Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Advanced degree (master’s or doctoral level) in a relevant field (e.g., education, social sciences, public policy, or related discipline), or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• At least five years experience in research design, analysis, and reporting.
• At least five years experience developing effective strategies for research communications and research-based storytelling and thought leadership.
• At least seven years experience conducting mixed methods research, with a proven ability to assess quality and rigor of research design.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize and communicate complex research findings.
• Strong knowledge of issues and innovations in postsecondary education and training, with a focus on education-to-career guidance/quality coaching and affordability.
• Experience leading projects and initiatives, including strategy development, project management, and budget management.
• Ability to connect individual projects and initiatives to organizational priorities, and make specific recommendations to improve strategic alignment.
• Experience managing external partners and vendors, including proposal solicitation, selection, and oversight of budget, timeline, and deliverables.
• Strong writing and editing skills: demonstrated ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely for public audiences.
• Knowledge of effective strategies for partnership development and stakeholder engagement, preferred.
• Experience leading teams with multiple contributors preferred.
• Experience interviewing stakeholders and experts for the purpose of gathering knowledge and shaping priorities, preferred.

It is likely the role will naturally entail some travel for conferences and other meetings up to 5%.

Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with Strada's guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.

Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.

Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.

Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.

Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to Strada’s organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. Strada is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace-certified by Diversity for Social Impact, a strategic professional and organization development company dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to drive social impact worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.