Associate Director, RAND Education and Labor

Overview of Education and Labor

RAND Education and Labor seeks to bring accurate data and objective analysis to education and labor policy. Its wide-ranging research portfolio spans from (a) early childhood education and out-of-school time, to (b) K-12 school choice, instruction, education technology and teacher labor markets, to (c) postsecondary education, workforce training and development, employment and underemployment,  apprenticeships, and economic mobility,  to (d) retirement issues as they relate to the workforce. Clients and grantors of RAND Education and Labor research include foundations, government agencies, and individual donors in the United States and abroad.

The Education and Labor division oversees more than 100 active analytical projects at any given time, which generate annual revenue of approximately $30 million and involve approximately 220 full- and part-time researchers, and another 30 adjunct staff. The division is responsible for the RAND Survey Panels, which provide critical sources of data for the division’s research and the larger RAND research landscape.  

Position Description

The Associate Director reports to the Vice President and Director of RAND Education and Labor.  As a member of the RAND senior management team, the Associate Director works closely with the Director, the Director of Operations for the division, and the other members of the division’s management team. This position involves duties related to the management and oversight of the Education and Labor research division, as well as conducting individual research. A portion of the Director's time will also involve corporate responsibilities.  

This position is a 3-year term, with an option to extend upon management approval. The role of Associate Director will cover 50% time, with the expectation that the Associate Director will contribute to or lead externally funded research projects for the remaining 50%.  

Responsibilities of the Associate Director role

• Developing and sustaining close relationships with philanthropic foundations, donors, and government sponsors at the federal and state level  

• Working with PIs at the outset of projects, in monitoring calls, and in review of drafts to ensure timely, high-quality products are delivered on time and within budget and disseminated effectively to research sponsors  

• Providing input into the division’s three-year business plans, including helping the Director to set strategic research priorities for the division

• Working with the division’s  research quality assurance manager to oversee and evaluate all research and its documentation to ensure that it meets RAND standards for quality and objectivity and client needs

• Mentoring and development research staff

• Identifying hiring needs and working with the research departments to hire and onboard new staff, as well providing annual performance reviews of project leaders

• Serving as a proponent for the RAND Survey Panels, RAND Lowy Family Middle-Class Pathways Center, and RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute

• Collaborating with senior management across RAND's divisions to create and advance opportunities through joint research

Qualifications

• Proven research and analysis capabilities, with strong working knowledge of research methodologies

• Demonstrated knowledge of current and developing PK-12, postsecondary, workforce development, and/or labor issues

• Substantial business development track record in areas related to Education and/or Labor research, including revenue and client management responsibilities

• Experience in capturing and overseeing contract and/or grant research with federal or state clients or philanthropic foundations

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including extensive leadership of teams  

• Experience coaching researchers how to produce high quality, actionable research for target audiences  

• Experience working in a soft-funding, matrixed organization. Prior or current employment at RAND preferred  

• Track record of working ahead of deadline and leading teams to do the same

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with a high degree of organization

Education Requirements

Advanced degree in an Education and Labor related discipline. Master’s Degree required; PhD is preferred.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of experience in policy research, and analysis, with a strong emphasis on education and/or labor topics.

Location

This position is a flex role which allows for time worked from the office (Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; or Boston, MA) and from home, with an average of 50% onsite-office presence expected.

Salary Range

Senior Researcher: $152,700 - $262,500

Hiring ranges for Economists, Management Scientists and Physician Researchers are slightly higher than the range shown.

At RAND, the research program management role is a termed assignment that is performed by an experienced researcher, but the researcher role is not a termed position. The candidate selected for this role will be offered regular employment with RAND as a researcher. RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. Successful candidates will be offered employment as a Senior researcher in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). This position may also be eligible for additional compensation. RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off, and more.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a comprehensive CV and cover letter highlighting expertise in policy analysis and research leadership.  

Application Review

Review of applications will begin on February 21st, 2025.

Point of Contact 

Please contact Michelle Osuna, mosuna@rand.org if you have questions.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet

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