ENLACES Research Director

Position Summary

The ENLACES Project is a federally funded Full-Service Community School (FSCS) implementation grant. The ENLACES Research Director is a key leadership role reporting directly to the Dean, Sanford College of Education. Leads, in collaboration with the Dean, research efforts with functional area oversight across research, grants/RFPs, & policy, and support with developing research related to measuring and evaluating the efficacy of services provided to children, families and teachers in a full-service community schools initiative. This role is responsible for developing and executing a research agenda across ENLACES in close collaboration with senior leadership at National University.  

The ENLACES Research Director is responsible for leading research team efforts including school-district level initiatives and partnerships related to research, including impact evaluations, quasi-experimental research and mixed methods studies, pilot/case studies, and research-practice partnerships. This position also serves as a key leader to help translate research into practice and ensure services align with evidence-based practices. This position assists executives and/or senior directors in defining organizational goals and strategic plans that have a critical impact on the success of functional areas and organizations. This role will also help secure additional grant funds for research, as well as oversight over graduate and undergraduate students and other research assistants.  

Essential Functions 

• Develop and execute a research agenda for Full-Service Community Schools implementation centered on efficacy, outcomes, and children/family growth 
• Partner with National University faculty/staff to create structures for staff and graduate and undergraduate students to participate in research activities 
• Research and evaluate the development and delivery of programs utilizing quantitative and mixed-methods research designs 
• Produce research briefs, white papers, and tools to enhance user experience; and engage with other units within National University (e.g., Cause Research Institute) to enhance research efforts. Collaborate with researchers, graduate students, and post-docs at NU Cause Research Institute, Sanford College of Education, JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences, and School of Health Professions to co-develop a robust research agenda supporting ENLACES.  
• Engage in research-practice partnerships with partner districts and strategic partners to better understand ways in which innovative solutions from ENLACES are implemented. 
• Manage research projects with a research team (graduate students and RAs), as well as weigh variety of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring research projects stay on track and within budget.  
• Participate in training, coaching, and supporting graduate and undergraduate students in engaging in research projects. 
• Collect, assemble, and maintain datasets related services provided to children, families, and teachers through ENLACES. 
• Analyze data to generate evidence that can influence policy and practice  
• Write research reports, briefing memos, summaries of journal articles, books, blogs and news articles individually and in collaboration with other researchers and scholars (internal and external). 
• Present results of empirical analysis in interesting and easy to understand table and graphical formats. 
• Contribute to writing grants to support continuation of grant funding that supports community school initiatives.  
• Support the content development of RFPs 
• Partner with external clients and consultants to support research and evaluation. 
• Review content, products, and materials to ensure they align with evidence-based practices 
• Attend conferences and seminars as needed.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:   

• Direct supervisory of grant specialists, graduate students, data analysts, and research assistants (3-5 reports) 

Requirements: 

Education & Experience:  

• Doctoral degree in education, psychology, research methodology or related field with a minimum of three years of related experience required. 
• Five (5) years’ experience leading research projects (project director, task leads) required. 
• Project management and continuous improvement experience highly preferred.  
• Experience with data collection or evaluation in community- and school-based settings preferred. 
• Experience with mixed-methods research preferred. 
• Experience building and maintaining partner relationships preferred. 
• Experience with grant writing preferred. 
• Experience designing analyses with practice implications preferred. 
• Schedule flexibility is required for late afternoon, evening, and weekend events when they occur. 

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:  

• Ability to take big ideas and concepts to develop research projects and communicate effectively to others 
• Strong attention to detail in writing and speaking. 
• Ability to develop and execute projects through effective project management strategies. 
• Can motivate and effectively manage a team, building upon strengths. 
• Ability to provide training and support to graduate and undergraduate students and staff.   
• Dynamic speaking and strong writing skills to communicate precisely and effectively with multiple audiences. 
• Interpersonal qualities: a sense of urgency and engagement; strong leadership capabilities; demonstrated work-ethic and commitment to high-quality service; confidence and excitement about change; a personal presence that is active and inclusive; demonstrated skill to promote and enhance diversity. 
• Strong analytical skills. 
• Proven ability to work with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion. 

Location: Remote, USA  
 
Travel:  Travel to San Diego is approximately 20%, or 4-5 days per month.