Director of Research & Evaluation

Company: University Enterprises, Inc.
Location: Sacramento
Posted on: April 10, 2025

Job Description:

Director of Research & Evaluation

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Education Insights Center (EdInsights)


REQUISITION #621186571





University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) at Sacramento State is seeking a Director of Research & Evaluation for Education Insights Center (EdInsights). The Education Insights Center (EdInsights) is an entirely self-supporting unit of the California State University, Sacramento. Established in 2001 as the Institute for Higher Education Leadership & Policy and renamed in 2015, EdInsights works to inform and improve policymaking and practice for K-12 education, community colleges, and public universities through three strands: policy research, program evaluation, and capacity building. The Center's location in the state capital provides ready access to policy makers and educators and a unique opportunity to participate in and influence public discourse on education policy and practice. EdInsights receives financial support from philanthropic foundations, the federal government (through competitive grants/contracts processes), postsecondary system offices and institutions, and non-profit organizations. The Center's work has been used in legislative processes and cited widely in policy-oriented publications and the media. With regard to the three strands of work, EdInsights' recent policy research projects include studies of: the implementation of the Common Core State Standards; policies and practices that enable student transfer between California's community colleges and California State Universities; state higher education policy development; and cross-system educational partnerships. The Center's program evaluations assess policies and practices that support cycles of continuous improvement and help people understand the effects of public and philanthropic investments on institutional change. Its capacity-building work helps systems, regions, partnerships, and institutions work together effectively, assess the results of their work, and support students as they cross systems.





To learn more about EdInsights, follow this link: https://edinsightscenter.org/





RATE OF PAY: $7,326 - $10,989 per month





BENEFITS: UEI offers an excellent benefits package that includes:



UEI contribution to a TIAA retirement plan after one year of service

Paid Vacation Time - starting at 10 hours accrued/month

Paid Sick Time - 8 hours accrued/month

Paid Holidays - 14 paid holidays per year including paid time off the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as the CSUS campus is closed

Excellent medical benefits - 100% employer-paid medical & dental for employee-only coverage and low cost for family coverage

Educational Assistance Program for employees and/or dependents

Hybrid

Requires local travel to meetings in the Sacramento area

View a comprehensive list of all of the benefits at https://www.enterprises.csus.edu/wp-content/uploads/UEI_Benefits-At-A-Glance-Brochure_Projects.pdf






FILING DEADLINE: This position is open until filled with a priority review date of April 14, 2025. We will begin application review on this date.





APPLY ONLINE: To be considered, all applicants must apply through the UEI website at https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6158859.careers?ShowJob=621186571. Applicants who apply outside of this link will not be considered.





CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:


This is a full-time, exempt from overtime, benefited position with a defined contribution retirement plan through TIAA. (The position is not covered under the California Public Employees' Retirement System.) Continued employment in this position is dependent upon funding and the mutual consent of University Enterprises and the employee, and either University Enterprises or the employee, can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause. Program continuation is contingent upon funding.





The selected candidate must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the United States. University Enterprises, Inc. is not a sponsoring agency (i.e. H-1B Visa).





MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS



Master's degree in public policy/administration, education, economics, political science, sociology, or other field requiring statistical analysis and social science research, or equivalent combination of education and/or work experience.

Demonstrated extensive experience conducting social science research, strong research methods training, and experience with developmental evaluation approach as well as large- scale evaluations in postsecondary systems and institutions.

Experience managing staff/teams and overseeing workflow.

Experience working with funders.

Experience designing and creating data visualization.

Experience using project management tools to manage multiple projects/priorities and meet competing deadlines (e.g., Trello). Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, internet, and statistical software packages such as SPSS or SAS.

Strong technical and public (such as for policymakers) writing skills. Demonstrated extensive experience lead authoring research publication(s) (public or client-facing).

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Demonstrated experience with qualitative data collection and analysis methods, such as designing and administering surveys, conducting interviews and focus groups, and developing a cross-team coding scheme for coding qualitative data.

Demonstrated experience with advanced quantitative analysis (i.e., inferential statistics) and longitudinal data/analyses.

Demonstrated experience working with large data sets.

Experience working in a highly collaborative environment.

Commitment to educational equity and research experience related to disproportionate impacts for students from traditionally underserved communities.

Must pass a background check, which may include fingerprinting. Must continue to meet the established standards.





PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS



Doctorate in public policy/administration, education, economics, political science, sociology, or other field requiring statistical analysis and social science research, or equivalent combination of education and/or work experience.

Demonstrated experience in policy analysis.





PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS


Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computers, telephones, copiers, printers, scanners, and fax machines.





WORKING CONDITIONS


Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with staff, campus community, government agencies, and other organizations; requires local travel to meetings in the Sacramento area, and occasional out-of-area travel for meetings or conferences.





DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


This position is responsible for directing EdInsights' research and evaluation strand, with projects ranging from large-scale community college pathways development to campus-based student success programs. As a part of the EdInsights leadership team, this position will help inform decisions regarding business operations and strategic direction for EdInsights as a center. The Director will provide EdInsights staff oversight and leadership coverage as needed. Based on Center mission, vision, and capacity, this role will provide strategic thought partnership to the Center on research and evaluation portfolios, incorporating stakeholder feedback when relevant. The Director will help to Identify funding opportunities and work with the Executive Director to develop proposals. Additionally, with the Executive Director this role will pitch proposals to potential clients/funders/collaborators and provide strategic thought partnership to inform the research and evaluation needs of funders and clients. The Director will be responsible for reviewing project deliverables, final reviewer for externally facing client/funder deliverables and/or research reports.





This position reports directly to and receives general direction from the Executive Director or Associate Director of EdInsights. This position directly supervises Research Managers, and provides indirect supervision to Research Assistants, Research Associates, and Senior Research Associates. Supervision of this position is maintained through discussion of deliverables, scopes, budget, compliance, and capacity.





The specific duties and responsibilities are as follows:



Directs complex projects using project management software, oversees progress, and manages all research and evaluation project resources including oversight of budget and internal/external staffing allocations by Senior Research Associates and Research Manager(s). Presents Executive Director with periodic oral and written reports on the status of research and evaluation projects. Supports Senior Research Associates and Research Manager(s) to strategize project activities and deliverables timelines.

Facilitates and leads agenda creation for complex client meetings and supports Senior Research Associates and Research Manager(s) in facilitation and agenda creation for routine client and staff meetings. Establishes and oversees client and funder relationships, provides strategic thought partnership to inform the research and evaluation needs of the funders and stakeholders, communicates with clients and funders, provides oversight of reporting requirements. Supports Senior Research Associates and Research Manager(s) with handling complex ongoing client relationships, managing client expectations, and working with them to fulfill project objectives and obtain necessary data and information.

Oversees all research and evaluation proposals and designs. Oversees the preparation and submission of research and evaluation grant proposals to foundations and other external grantors.

Oversees literature review and secondary research processes performed by the research and evaluation team.

Oversees and makes final decisions regarding Center instrument development processes.

Oversees the use of project data to achieve various project goals through a variety of deliverables across staff and consultants (e.g., program improvement; outcome/impact reporting) across the Center's evaluation and research projects.

Oversees data analysis processes and procedures; makes final decisions regarding analysis and interpretation when needed.

Reviews and ensures all interim and annual narrative reporting requirements are complete. Provides direction to, collaborates with, and provides feedback to UX/UI Design Analyst to create visuals for reports. Provides final review of all contracted deliverables and externally facing evaluation and research reports. Presents findings at meetings and conferences.

In collaboration with the Finance and Operations team, oversees all research and evaluation project budgets.

Oversees research protocols and practices, makes final decisions on protocols and practices.

Oversees, coordinates, and provides staff research training. Serves as Edlnsights' in-house expert on research methods, providing advice and consultation to other Edlnsights staff and associated faculty who work with Edlnsights.

Hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of a team of regular benefited employees and graduate assistants and/or non-benefited employees, consistent with University Enterprises, Inc. policies. Reviews and approves time-off requests and timesheets.

Works directly with UEI Human Resources on staff hiring and on staff hiring and job description development.

Studies and stays abreast of major issues and trends in postsecondary reform nationally and in California, specifically.

Represents Edlnsights at state and national education conferences and events relating to areas of research. Presents Edlnsights research in multiple formats, including full-length reports, policy briefs, and oral presentations to a variety of targeted audiences including legislators, educational leaders, the business community, other researchers, and advocacy groups. Maintains regular communication with other education researchers in universities or other research organizations. Identifies funding opportunities and works with the Executive Director to develop proposals. Together with the Executive Director, pitches proposals to potential clients/funders/collaborators and provides strategic thought partnership to inform the research and evaluation needs of funders and clients.

Sits on the EdInsights leadership team as the research and evaluation liaison to help inform decisions regarding business operations and strategic direction for EdInsights as a center. Designs, leads, facilitates, and synthesizes center-wide discussions on equity and center strategic direction as part of the leadership team. Provides EdInsights staff oversight and leadership coverage as needed. Strategically advises leadership regarding how research fits with higher education goals and priorities. Advises the Executive Director about the strategic direction of Edlnsights, particularly focused on the center's research and evaluation portfolios. Works in a team, with Executive Director and other Edlnsights staff, to provide input into a variety of Edlnsights publications and other products. Collaborates with Edlnsights' Leadership to systematically document learnings from across all center projects. Leads the development of a cohesive evaluation strategy inclusive of needs, goals, and concerns of various audiences.

Works in a team, with Executive Director and other EdInsights staff, to provide input into a variety of EdInsights publications and other products.





Note: This position vacancy is with University Enterprises Inc., an auxiliary organization of California State University, Sacramento. This is not a University position; the incumbent will be an employee of University Enterprises. University Enterprises operates commercial enterprises on the California State University, Sacramento campus; it is responsible for grant and contract management and fiscal services for University research and sponsored programs and provides fiscal services to University related agencies and activities. University Enterprises is a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors in conformance with the appropriate State of California codes and policy directives of the Board of Trustees and the campus administration.


University Enterprises is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of University Enterprises that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, placement, and promotions will be on a basis of qualifications of the individual for the position being filled, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age (over 40 years), sex, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (diagnosis or history of cancer)*, citizenship, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Any persons who feel that they have been discriminated against in connection with an application for employment should contact University Enterprises' Director of Human Resources at (916) 278-7003. *As defined in Section 12926(F), Government Code 12990.


***AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER***


In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Sacramento has made crime reporting statistics available on-line at www.csus.edu/police/cleryact.htm. Print copies are available in the CSUS library and by request from the CSUS Office of Public Safety and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.


Salary/Compensation: $7,326 - $10,989 per month


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