Research and Policy Director of Research
Job Description
The Director of Research will act as the data strategist for the organization, leading the efforts to analyze and document the positive impact of public charter schools across Colorado. The Director of Research will regularly assemble and disaggregate datasets, complete data analyses, and create data products such as dashboards, infographics, and white papers that pertain to Colorado public charter schools. This role works in lockstep with the Communications and Advocacy teams by providing support for rapid response, answering questions from lawmakers, and conducting targeted research that advances the organization’s policy and regulatory agendas.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned and are subject to change.
- Support the development and lead the execution of the Colorado League of Charter Schools’ (the League’s) data and research agenda, to include at least five data or research products annually that help the organization influence the narrative about public charter schools.
- Maintain and summarize comprehensive data for the overall charter sector, including annual trends on enrollment, quality, school growth, etc. Serve as the go-to provider and analyzer of this data both internally and for external providers.
- Collaborate with the Communications and Advocacy teams on data-driven content for issue briefs, talking points, presentations, and other collateral that may be public, lawmaker, or donor-facing.
- Conduct rapid-response data analyses and research during Legislative and State Board of Education hearings and in other situations when the organization needs to rebut myths or reinforce key messages in real time.
- Track and analyze data released by CDE in order to communicate about potential data quality issues as well as identify emerging trends for the state’s public charter schools.
- Lead external-facing research projects pertaining to the charter sector.
- Evaluate external research studies for accuracy, distill key talking points, and help the League and League staff explain their implications for charter schools to stakeholders.
- Compile and analyze data on an ad-hoc basis to support the League’s policy and regulatory agendas, including for use in comments on state education rulemaking and legislative testimony; the Director may also support bill review during the legislative session.
- Manage the League’s internal-facing data dashboard tools, including the collection, integration, and auditing of educational statistics.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide coordination and management of partners and consultants as needed for projects and grant work.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Ability to independently lead, manage and accept responsibility for a variety of complex organizational functions.
- Ability to proactively develop and lead a research agenda, identify challenges, and ask for support.
- Strong facilitation skills with the ability to facilitate large scale meetings in person and/or remote.
- Experience working in a non-profit or startup, with minimal supervision and resources, and the ability to be highly adaptable as the organization changes.
- Strong leadership, project management, analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Resilient, self-aware professional with exposure to diverse experiences and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
- Demonstrated integrity and high standards in managing information and data in a highly confidential and professional manner.
- Proven experience in managing large scale programs and initiatives through strategies and tactical practices.
- Demonstrated data analytics and research experience, with examples of prior efforts.
- Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills with an ability to condense complicated concepts into an easily understood format.
- Experience with the political and policy-making process of charter schools in Colorado preferred.
- Thrive in fast-moving, sometimes high-pressure environments.
- Strong belief in the mission of public charter schools.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of such tools as Microsoft Office/Excel, Google Suite, data visualization tools such as Tableau, video online platforms such as Zoom and WebEx, and be able to work with multiple systems to ensure data is kept up to date including: YM, Murmuration, and others.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher in research, mathematics, analytics, data science, or a related field.
- A minimum of five years of experience in data analytics or research.
LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to speak in public before a variety of audiences and to effectively present information to management, schools and external partners.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATION
Driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Normal office environment with part-time remote work option. Requirement to be present in person twice a week for staff and team meetings.
- The noise level in the work environment varies between quiet and moderate.
SALARY RANGE
$90,000 – $99,0000
*This is a grant-funded position. Additional funding may be necessary to continue it beyond an initial 2-3 year time horizon.
BENEFITS:
We offer competitive pay based on experience, along with medical and dental insurance after a 30-day waiting period, including 100% premium coverage for the employee on multiple medical plans. We also offer generous PTO, 20 days of holiday pay and a company-matching 401k.
