RAND Corporation

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

Creativity thrives where differences in viewpoints and experiences are welcome. At RAND, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusiveness enrich the content, accessibility, and practicality of our research and analysis. Multidisciplinary teams are a hallmark of RAND research, and we strive to create diverse teams to help ensure that our research incorporates many perspectives.

RAND Education and Labor’s work is centered around a belief that all individuals are entitled to economic opportunity and that education and literacy at all levels - from early childhood through adult learning - play critical roles in increasing the prosperity of individuals, communities, nations, and the world. Our mission is to help policymakers and practitioners design and implement education and labor policies, programs and practices that ensure opportunity for all. The Division includes three research programs: PreK-12 Educational Systems, PreK-12 Instructional Improvement, and Labor and Workforce Development.

Position Description

Education and Labor seeks a Program Director to lead and manage research programs in the Labor and Workforce Development Program, which includes all post-secondary education, workforce development/training, labor market analysis, programs and initiatives impacting workers, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and decision making. While this role is the Labor and Workforce Development Program Director, all three programs are supported by the leadership team.

The Program Director oversees more than 70 active analytical projects at any given time, which involves approximately 200 full- and part-time researchers. As a member of the Education and Labor management team at RAND, the Program Director collaborates across research divisions at RAND to execute complex, systemic areas of research. (i.e., healthcare workforce issues with the Health Care Division, or the labor market prospects of the formerly incarcerated). Approximately thirty-five percent (35%) of this position will involve duties related to the management and oversight of the program.

Responsibilities

Specific management responsibilities include:
- Collaborate to build a portfolio of work, supporting researchers to develop research ideas, and thinking creatively about the range of policy influencers and potential clients and stakeholders for work in this program (e.g., across public and private sector and philanthropy).
- Proactively initiating relationships with Foundation funders to build the program’s research portfolio.
- Demonstrate interest in growing work globally.
- Manage a portfolio of projects on time and on budget without sacrificing quality.
- Provide intellectual input on the overall division and work in concert with other divisions within RAND, particularly with other social and economic policy divisions.
- Supporting corporate strategic initiatives especially those that relate to the key objectives of increasing diversity, agility, innovation, and impact.

This is a part-time position, with coverage provided at thirty-five percent (35%). The remainder of time will be dedicated to leading or participating in research projects which may be in one or more areas of the Education and Labor portfolio or on other related RAND projects. It is a 5-year termed position, with an option to extend, subject to management approval.

Qualifications

- A reputation for excellence in policy research, broad knowledge and deep understanding of the issues facing the education and labor systems in the United States (understanding of international issues with these systems would be a plus);
- A track record of organizational management success, including the ability to build client relationships and business and to maintain and manage a complex research program;
- Evidence of excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including a commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
- Must be able to travel approximately 10-20% of time for marketing, project, and client engagements.

Education Requirements

PhD or Master’s degree in a related field including Psychology (Clinical, Educational, Social, etc.), Education, Sociology, Demography, Anthropology, Economics or related discipline. A JD with evidence of extensive application of research methods to behavioral or social science issues would also be considered.

Experience

Experience equivalent to RAND full level researcher with a minimum of 7+ years required conducting policy research in a government, corporate or research environment. Experience equivalent to a RAND senior level researcher with 10+ years of experience preferred.

Location

Santa Monica, CA; Washington DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA
This position offers a flex work arrangement with a mix of time in the office and working from home. While a flex work arrangement is preferred, fully remote work may be considered.


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