DIRECTOR, POLICY-ALIGNED RESEARCH AGENDA, Wheelock College of Education and Human
Boston University
BOSTON, MA
The Wheelock Educational Policy Center at Boston University seeks an entrepreneurial, research-minded, experienced policymaker to serve as the founding director of the Policy-Aligned Research Agenda Building Lab (PARABL). Working closely with WEPC’s Executive Director, the director of PARABL will play a crucial role in launching this new initiative and building the systems, protocols and structures to ensure success, scale and sustainability of the vision. The director will have organizational-level impact, shaping WEPC's strategic direction and institutional reputation as PARABL becomes a signature initiative. This role is critical to establishing BU Wheelock as a national leader in bridging the research-policydivideineducation.ThisseniorleadershippositionreportstotheExecutiveDirectorand will serve as a key member of WEPC's leadership team, contributing to center-wide strategic planning and decision-making.
TheInitiative:PARABL
PARABL works directly with education systems leaders (e.g., state chiefs, governors’ offices, CEOs of non-profits) to build a roadmap of research questions that are strategically aligned with the pursuit of large-scalesystemschangeinaparticulararea.Thisisnotprogram-specificcontinuousimprovementor implementation evaluation research; a policy-aligned research agenda is a strategic tool intended to help policymaker
- Makethecaseforchange
- Knowwhenandhowtopivot
- Solvetherightproblem
- Advocateforand/orprotectresources
- Buildasolutions-focusednarrative
Through the model at PARABL, the BU Wheelock Educational Policy Center team works closely with organizationleadersto
- setaclearpurposeforapolicy-alignedresearchagenda,
- facilitatestrategic conversations with and between research scholars and policy experts,
- assess the feasibility, data viability and costs associated with various approaches and then
- works to facilitate matches between the client organization and individuals/entities best positioned to carry out the envisioned research.
AresearchagendaproducedthroughPARABLisaroadmapdesignedtosupportpolicymakersinkey decision-making over the long-term of a change effort. It does not guarantee specific results and will require leaders to look hard at data and wrestle with findings. It also holds the most promise for ensuring the necessary backing needed to build momentum for change, focus the conversation, and advocate effectively for scale and sustainability.
TheRole:FoundingDirector
Through our existing partnerships and projects at the Wheelock Educational Policy Center, we have developed various protocols, tools, and examples that serve as proof points of PARABL’s potential. We seek a director who will build on this foundation and will:
- create the routines, processes and systems neededtoefficiently,effectivelyandsustainablyoperationalizethePARABLmodel;
- overseeandserve as lead facilitator of PARABL with client organizations; and
- lead efforts nationally to generate interest and demand for PARABL.
To be successful in this role, we anticipate the ideal candidate:
- Has experience in a policy-making role where they were responsible for consequential systems-level decisions. We want someone who understands first-hand the tensions, trade-offs and timelines of choices and strategy in a policy context.
- Isanexpertfacilitator,integratorandentrepreneurialinnovator.Eachresearchagenda produced through PARABL will likely look different from the next, we want someone who can planforandfacilitatediscussionsacrosspolicyandresearchandthenproducesomething(likely that there is no model for) that resonates with both.
- Has a strong research-orientation and be able to point to examples of how they have used data and/or research in their own decision-making. With PARABL, we leverage the expertise of researchers in our network and need someone who values that knowledge and skill even if they themselves do may not have research training.
- Is a strategic thinker who gets things done. We want someone that can see the forest for the treesandsimultaneouslybuildaprojectplananddeliverondatesanddetails.Especially,inthe early build out of PARABL there will be a lot of individual-contributor type work.
CoreResponsibilities:
- BuildingandRefiningthePARABLModel(40%)
- Design,document,andcontinuouslyrefinestandardizedprocesses,tools,protocols,andtemplates for policy-aligned research agenda development; adapt model components to serve diverse client contexts and create scalable resources for future growth
- DevelopqualityassurancemechanismsandmetricstoevaluatePARABL'seffectivenessandimpact; build internal knowledge management systems to capture learnings and best practices
- Establishsystemsformatchingclientneedswithappropriateresearchersandresearchentities
- Developandmanagerevenuesystems,fee-for-servicestructures,andPARABLoperationalbudget with authority to allocate resources, approve expenditures, forecast revenue, and ensure financial sustainability
- ExternalEngagementandFacilitation(35%)
- Serveasleadfacilitatorandstrategicadvisortoeducationleadersdevelopingpolicy-aligned research agendas; develop vetting process for client fit and conduct needs assessments
- Designandfacilitateconveningsthatbridgepolicyandresearchcommunities;assessfeasibility, data availability, and resource requirements for proposed research approaches
- Leadcross-functionalcollaborationwithBUfaculty,WEPCresearchstaff,andexternalresearch partners;manageprojecttimelines,deliverables,andclientrelationshipstoensurehigh-quality outcomes
- Exercise independent judgment in complex, ambiguous situations including determining client fit andengagementscope,navigatingcompetingstakeholderpriorities,adaptingmethodologywhen standard approaches don't apply, and making strategic pivots based on incomplete information
- BuildcapacitytoscalePARABLbyrecruiting,training,andsupervisingadditionalfacilitatorsand project staff; manage performance and professional development of direct reports
- StrategicOutreachandPartnershipDevelopment(25%)
- Cultivaterelationshipswitheducationsystemsleaders,statechiefs,governors'offices,funders,and nonprofitleaders;developandexecutestrategicengagementplantobuildpipelineofprospective clients
- RepresentPARABLatnationalconferences,convenings,andforumstobuildvisibilityandcredibility
- Buildandmaintainpartnershipswithresearchinstitutions,individualscholars,andevaluationfirms; identify opportunities to innovate and expand PARABL's approach in an evolving research ecosystem
- CollaboratewithWEPCExecutiveDirectortoidentifyanddevelopfundingopportunities;takelead responsibility for articulating PARABL's value proposition through communications materials, case examples, and thought leadership content
Required Skills
RequiredQualifications
- Minimum5yearsofprofessionalexperience,includingatleast3yearsinapolicy-makingrolein 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,navigatecomplexconversations,buildconsensus,andmanagetimelines,budgets, and multiple workstreams simultaneously
- Strongtrackrecordofusingdataandresearchtoinformdecision-making,withabilityto translate research findings into actionable policy insights
- Excellentwrittenandoralcommunicationskills,withabilitytocommunicatecomplexideas clearly to diverse audiences
- Entrepreneurialmindsetandcomfortwithambiguity,includingexperiencebuildingnew programs, processes, or initiatives
Preferred Qualifications
- Seniorleadershipexperienceinastateeducationagency,governor'soffice,orlargeeducation-focused nonprofit (e.g., deputy commissioner, chief of staff, policy director)
- Directexperiencecommissioning,overseeing,orpartneringwithresearcherstoconduct 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,includingmajorreformefforts,fundingmechanisms,andkeynationalorganizations
- Nationalnetworksandrelationshipswitheducationleaders,researchers,orintermediary organizations; experience presenting at national conferences or writing for publication
- Backgroundinchangemanagementorstrategicplanningincomplexorganizational environments; grant writing or fundraising experience
Required Experience
About the Company
Boston University
Boston University is one of the leading private research and teaching institutions in the world today, with two primary campuses in the heart of Boston and programs around the world. As a Boston University employee you will be part of a dynamic community where every individual is valued. You'll reap the rewards of being on a college campus, such as direct access to the heart of the education and research community and a myriad of opportunities to help create a positive impact on our students' educational experiences. Education thrives in Boston, and working here – at one of the largest employers in the city – will give you the opportunity to contribute to our mission and work with some of the most experienced educators and staff in the nation.