Inside Higher Ed
DIRECTOR, POLICY-ALIGNED RESEARCH AGENDA, Wheelock College of Education and Huma
Inside Higher Ed, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Director, Policy‑Aligned Research Agenda, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
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Job Location:
Boston, MA, United States
Position Type:
Full‑Time/Regular
Salary Grade:
Grade 50 (range to be set at selection)
Core Responsibilities
Building and Refining the PARABL Model (40%)
Design, document, and continuously refine standardized processes, tools, protocols, and templates for policy‑aligned research agenda development; adapt model components to serve diverse client contexts and create scalable resources for future growth.
Develop quality assurance mechanisms and metrics to evaluate PARABL's effectiveness and impact; build internal knowledge management systems to capture learnings and best practices.
Establish systems for matching client needs with appropriate researchers and research entities.
Develop and manage revenue systems, fee‑for‑service structures, and PARABL operational budget with authority to allocate resources, approve expenditures, forecast revenue, and ensure financial sustainability.
External Engagement and Facilitation (35%)
Serve as lead facilitator and strategic advisor to education leaders developing policy‑aligned research agendas; develop vetting process for client fit and conduct needs assessments.
Design and facilitate convenings that bridge policy and research communities; assess feasibility, data availability, and resource requirements for proposed research approaches.
Lead cross‑functional collaboration with BU faculty, WEPC research staff, and external research partners; manage project timelines, deliverables, and client relationships to ensure high‑quality outcomes.
Exercise independent judgment in complex, ambiguous situations, including determining client fit and engagement scope, navigating competing stakeholder priorities, adapting methodology when standard approaches don't apply, and making strategic pivots based on incomplete information.
Build capacity to scale PARABL by recruiting, training, and supervising additional facilitators and project staff; manage performance and professional development of direct reports.
Strategic Outreach and Partnership Development (25%)
Cultivate relationships with education systems leaders, state chiefs, governors' offices, funders, and nonprofit leaders; develop and execute strategic engagement plan to build pipeline of prospective clients.
Represent PARABL at national conferences, convenings, and forums to build visibility and credibility.
Build and maintain partnerships with research institutions, individual scholars, and evaluation firms; identify opportunities to innovate and expand PARABL's approach in an evolving research ecosystem.
Collaborate with WEPC Executive Director to identify and develop funding opportunities; take lead responsibility for articulating PARABL's value proposition through communications materials, case examples, and thought leadership content.
Required Qualifications
Minimum 5 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years in a policy‑making role in education or related public sector domain with demonstrated responsibility for systems‑level decisions and strategy.
Proven facilitation and project management skills, including ability to convene diverse stakeholders, navigate complex conversations, build consensus, and manage timelines, budgets, and multiple workstreams simultaneously.
Strong track record of using data and research to inform decision‑making, with ability to translate research findings into actionable policy insights.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort with ambiguity, including experience building new programs, processes, or initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
Senior leadership experience in a state education agency, governor's office, or large education‑focused nonprofit (e.g., deputy commissioner, chief of staff, policy director).
Direct experience commissioning, overseeing, or partnering with researchers to conduct evaluation or policy research; familiarity with research methodologies (especially quasi‑experimental methods) and ability to assess research design quality.
Experience in multiple policy contexts or states; knowledge of current education policy landscape, including major reform efforts, funding mechanisms, and key national organizations.
National networks and relationships with education leaders, researchers, or intermediary organizations; experience presenting at national conferences or writing for publication.
Background in change management or strategic planning in complex organizational environments; grant writing or fundraising experience.
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Job Location:
Boston, MA, United States
Position Type:
Full‑Time/Regular
Salary Grade:
Grade 50 (range to be set at selection)
Core Responsibilities
Building and Refining the PARABL Model (40%)
Design, document, and continuously refine standardized processes, tools, protocols, and templates for policy‑aligned research agenda development; adapt model components to serve diverse client contexts and create scalable resources for future growth.
Develop quality assurance mechanisms and metrics to evaluate PARABL's effectiveness and impact; build internal knowledge management systems to capture learnings and best practices.
Establish systems for matching client needs with appropriate researchers and research entities.
Develop and manage revenue systems, fee‑for‑service structures, and PARABL operational budget with authority to allocate resources, approve expenditures, forecast revenue, and ensure financial sustainability.
External Engagement and Facilitation (35%)
Serve as lead facilitator and strategic advisor to education leaders developing policy‑aligned research agendas; develop vetting process for client fit and conduct needs assessments.
Design and facilitate convenings that bridge policy and research communities; assess feasibility, data availability, and resource requirements for proposed research approaches.
Lead cross‑functional collaboration with BU faculty, WEPC research staff, and external research partners; manage project timelines, deliverables, and client relationships to ensure high‑quality outcomes.
Exercise independent judgment in complex, ambiguous situations, including determining client fit and engagement scope, navigating competing stakeholder priorities, adapting methodology when standard approaches don't apply, and making strategic pivots based on incomplete information.
Build capacity to scale PARABL by recruiting, training, and supervising additional facilitators and project staff; manage performance and professional development of direct reports.
Strategic Outreach and Partnership Development (25%)
Cultivate relationships with education systems leaders, state chiefs, governors' offices, funders, and nonprofit leaders; develop and execute strategic engagement plan to build pipeline of prospective clients.
Represent PARABL at national conferences, convenings, and forums to build visibility and credibility.
Build and maintain partnerships with research institutions, individual scholars, and evaluation firms; identify opportunities to innovate and expand PARABL's approach in an evolving research ecosystem.
Collaborate with WEPC Executive Director to identify and develop funding opportunities; take lead responsibility for articulating PARABL's value proposition through communications materials, case examples, and thought leadership content.
Required Qualifications
Minimum 5 years of professional experience, including at least 3 years in a policy‑making role in education or related public sector domain with demonstrated responsibility for systems‑level decisions and strategy.
Proven facilitation and project management skills, including ability to convene diverse stakeholders, navigate complex conversations, build consensus, and manage timelines, budgets, and multiple workstreams simultaneously.
Strong track record of using data and research to inform decision‑making, with ability to translate research findings into actionable policy insights.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort with ambiguity, including experience building new programs, processes, or initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
Senior leadership experience in a state education agency, governor's office, or large education‑focused nonprofit (e.g., deputy commissioner, chief of staff, policy director).
Direct experience commissioning, overseeing, or partnering with researchers to conduct evaluation or policy research; familiarity with research methodologies (especially quasi‑experimental methods) and ability to assess research design quality.
Experience in multiple policy contexts or states; knowledge of current education policy landscape, including major reform efforts, funding mechanisms, and key national organizations.
National networks and relationships with education leaders, researchers, or intermediary organizations; experience presenting at national conferences or writing for publication.
Background in change management or strategic planning in complex organizational environments; grant writing or fundraising experience.
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