Associate Director, Impact and Innovation Research

Great Minds•Dc, DC

1d•$133,000 - $146,000•Remote

About The Position

Great Minds is a high-growth, mission-driven organization founded by educators in 2007. As a for-profit, Public Benefit Corporation, we believe all students deserve access to meaningful, challenging content—and all teachers deserve tools that are intuitive, effective, and built for the realities of today’s classrooms. We develop high-quality, knowledge-rich math, science and ELA curricula grounded in research and designed in collaboration with educators. Our materials reflect real classroom needs and are built to drive lasting student outcomes. We are committed to usability, coherence, and practical implementation—supporting teachers not just through curriculum, but with professional learning, purposeful technology, and responsive service that enable strong adoption and impact. Our products— Eureka Math and Eureka Math², Wit & Wisdom , PhD Science, Geodes , and the newly launched Arts & Letters ELA —are trusted by thousands of schools and districts nationwide. Eureka Math is the most widely used math curriculum in the U.S., and is focused on balancing conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application. Wit & Wisdom® and Arts & Letters ELA™ anchor our reading strategy with content-rich, grade-level instruction that integrates literature, history, and the arts, grounded in the science of reading. Geodes® complements our reading suite with decodable texts that pair phonics with meaningful content to support early literacy. PhD Science is a hands-on K-5 Science program that sparks curiosity as students build enduring knowledge of how the scientific world works. These programs reflect a shared belief in high expectations, joyful rigor, and deep respect for educators and students. Great Minds is entering a new stage of growth and product maturity. We are focused on building more connected, customer-informed experiences across the full educator journey—from curriculum to professional learning to platform and support. Our long-term vision is to become a true partner in impact—not just delivering curriculum, but supporting educators in achieving outcomes at scale. Reporting to the Senior Director, Research, the Associate Director, Impact and Innovation Research will lead high-impact research initiatives that drive evidence-based improvement and innovation across Great Minds’ products and services. As a senior member of the Research team, this individual will guide a comprehensive research agenda that informs curriculum implementation, evaluates program effectiveness, and supports the development of new and existing products. This role will combine strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and methodological rigor to ensure that research insights lead to meaningful, scalable outcomes for educators and students.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in implementation, evaluation, or education product research in K–12 or a related field
3+ years of experience managing research teams and leading strategic, cross-functional research projects
Deep expertise in mixed-methods research design, analysis, and synthesis.
Proven success using research to inform product strategy and improve implementation outcomes
Strong understanding of curriculum development, instructional design, and educator support systems
Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly and persuasively present complex findings to diverse audiences
Skills in managing competing priorities, timelines, and resources in fast-paced environments
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and influence senior stakeholders
Commitment to educational equity and a passion for improving outcomes for all students
Bachelor’s degree in education, research methodology, behavioral science, or a related field

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting research to inform product development or user experience in an education context
Familiarity with design thinking, lean product development, or similar innovation methodologies
Understanding of the K–12 education policy and funding landscape
Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in education, evaluation, research methodology, or a related discipline

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a research strategy that integrates implementation evaluation and product innovation in alignment with organizational priorities.
Collaborate with leaders across Product Development, Implementation Services, and Design to ensure research informs both strategic decisions and the development of new solutions.
Design and oversee mixed-methods studies that evaluate curriculum effectiveness, implementation fidelity, user needs, and opportunities for product refinement or innovation.
Monitor trends in K–12 education, implementation science, and learning science to guide future-focused research and strategic planning.
Lead and mentor a team of researchers, providing strategic direction, professional development, and coaching to support team growth and impact.
Act as a thought partner to senior leadership, translating research into actionable insights that guide high-stakes decisions.
Foster a culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous improvement across teams by building research literacy and systems for evidence-based decision-making.
Oversee the design and implementation of complex, mixed-methods studies to evaluate the impact of curricula, professional learning, and implementation models.
Conduct user research and needs assessments to support early-stage product ideation, development, and testing.
Ensure timely, accurate analysis and synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data to support product refinement and strategic planning.
Produce compelling reports, briefs, and presentations that clearly communicate findings to internal and external audiences, including executives, educators, and partners.
Collaborate with school districts, educators, and external stakeholders to conduct field studies and gather implementation data.
Represent Great Minds at national conferences, industry events, and in publications to share research findings and highlight the organization’s leadership in education research.
Develop partnerships with academic institutions, policy organizations, and research networks to expand the reach and impact of Great Minds’ research efforts.