AIR’s Equity Initiative is seeking a Program Director to provide intellectual and technical leadership for the Education Evidence and Demonstration Hub and help expand the Equity Initiative’s impact in providing rigorous, evidence-based research and technical assistance on pressing and perennial education issues, with deep appreciation for the challenges faced by communities marginalized or segregated by place or race.  The ideal candidate will identify and cultivate relationships with external partners to create opportunities for collaboration and advance AIR’s Mission.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. 

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here.

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Build internal and external strategic partnerships
• Conceptualize and implement programmatic agendas
• Lead process improvement of program reviews and prepare reports for executive leadership
• Oversee budget preparation and expense management activities for programs
• Develop and refine requests for proposals
• Manage and monitor grants and prepare funding reports
• Cultivate new thought and funding partners
• Identify and engage with potential grantees
• Provide guidance and maintain frequent communications with program partners
• Represent company brand in industry conferences, meetings and workshops
• Analyze and troubleshoot program challenges
• Develop best practices to improve overall program performance
• Plan and execute program activities in timely and accurate manner
• Design meeting agendas, organize and lead meetings, moderate expert panels and distribute meeting minutes
• Define and refine programmatic agendas, particularly in the education field
• Advance innovative ways to collect, analyze, and showcase research tools and findings across intersectional areas and synthesize traditional research content for diverse groups of stakeholders
• Establish partnerships between researchers and community members, including travel to research sites
• Provide intellectual leadership for the conceptualization and design of education studies
• Conduct program reviews and prepare reports for management
• Coordinate with technical staff or external vendor to design and develop Evidence Hub website
• Support Equity Initiative team members and communications partners in promoting Evidence Hub website engagement
• Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity in interactions with colleagues, external audiences, and study participants, and promote AIR’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in all research and business activities

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Ph.D. with a minimum of 7 years experience or Masters with a minimum of 11years of experience.
• Expertise and experience leading equity-focused work and at least 2 years’ experience in philanthropy, funding or leadership roles.
• Professional network and established relationships with other high-impact leaders in education or related fields.
• Experience working with partners at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Expertise in quantitative methods, particularly those related to meta-analysis, randomized control trials, and quasi-experimental designs.
• Experience as principal investigator and/or project director for research and evaluation projects; managing or leading projects or tasks, including associated teams and budgets.

Preferred But Not Required Qualifications:

• • Experience in philanthropy/funding roles
  • What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Reviewer Certification, Group Design Standards.
  • Experience conducting systematic reviews.
  • Familiarity with research in other areas that intersect with the Equity Initiative portfolio, including workforce development, health, and public safety.
  • Experience mentoring junior staff, sharing approaches to solving concrete problems, and providing feedback on the work of others.
  • Experience developing conceptual frameworks and research designs using a variety of research methods, including rigorous experimental, quasi-experimental, and descriptive studies as well as mixed methods approaches and technical assistance projects.

Skills:

• Keen ability to synthesize findings and communicate and use lessons to improve grant funding programs and the broader field.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work in a fluid, team environment that is evolving programmatic work and partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects and teams, strong project management and staff supervision skills.
• Strong communication skills, including presenting to and facilitating various-sized groups with a broad spectrum of perspectives and entry points.
• Ability to work well independently and as a member of a project team while prioritizing multiple objectives to meet project deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a in a virtual/dispersed work environment. 

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.