Director, Emerging Technology Research

Digital Promise

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Emerging Technologies on the Powerful Learning team is responsible for building an evidence base to inform how emerging technologies can be integrated into K-12 learning environments in ways that are connected to pedagogical best practices and meaningful learning outcomes within specific subject areas such as math or reading. This work involves exploring innovative applications of emerging technologies across curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and utilizing research insights to guide the design, implementation, and iterative refinement. Central to the team’s mission is harnessing these technologies in ways that build capacity for learners’ and educators’ skills to use, understand and evaluate emerging technology, and to support the whole learner, fostering powerful learning experiences that enhance creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. The Director will work closely with internal and external partners to ensure that research based insights impact the practice of educators and leaders. The Director reports to the Deputy Director, Research, on the Powerful Learning team. This position is a term-limited opportunity for 18 months, with the potential for conversion to a full-time employee or contract employee role upon successful completion of the term.

Requirements

Education: Ph.D. or Ed.D. in learning sciences with a specific focus on the implementation of artificial intelligence in K-12 teaching and learning. Equivalent experience will be considered.
Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role related to emerging technologies in education, with a demonstrated track record of successfully securing funding for research, managing and growing a portfolio of projects, and leading a project from concept through completion.
Demonstrated ability to envision and lead the conception and implementation of innovative research, design and evaluation initiatives related to AI and other emerging technologies across K-12 educational settings.
Demonstrated experience using AI in and around schools to enhance learner outcomes, be it through the implementation of AI tools, and/ or the development of AI policies and best practices. The successful candidate will have the capacity to point to their thought leadership here through a track record of project leadership and dissemination.
A thorough understanding of the Digital Promise AI Literacy Framework and Framework for Powerful Learning with Emerging Technologies and the ability to apply this knowledge to support of schools and districts
Strong project management skills with the ability to develop compelling proposals, lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and deliver results on time.
3+ years track record of building and managing multi-functional teams to results, and of coaching and developing direct reports.
Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and guide a team toward achieving common goals.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and execute long-term research and development projects and partnerships into strategies.
Experience with data analysis and reporting tools.
Ability to research, analyze, and provide a solution to newly identified issues.
Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to be flexible to project situations.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, including educators, designers, developers, and administrators.
Experienced and demonstrated knowledge of client/partner management.
Highly collaborative, organized, and execution-oriented with strong presentation skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical constituents, as well as impeccable interpersonal skills
Experience with communication and customer relationship systems such as Slack, Salesforce, and Asana
Skill in applying principles of active listening, such as focusing on what someone is saying, deferring judgment, and responding appropriately
A deep passion for education, technology, and the potential of their intersection to transform learning experiences.
Adaptability to evolving technologies and trends in the rapidly changing EdTech landscape.
Skill in acquiring new knowledge through professional development activities for one's self, such as participating in coaching, attending professional conferences, self-directed reading, and monitoring industry trends.
Skill in developing, maintaining, and leveraging networks across a range of people and groups inside and outside the organization, such as influential people and learning and performance experts.

Nice To Haves

Direct professional experience working in K-12 public school districts is preferred.
Knowledge of functions, features, limitations, and practical applications of the technologies available to support student learning experience and program management (i.e., Asana, Microsoft & Google suites, Salesforce, Qualtrics, etc.)
An interest in redesigning learning systems
Experience collaborating with cross-functional team members to ensure information is shared, projects are completed on time, and goals are reached
Stellar organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage completing tasks, deadlines, requirement, and decisions
A team mentality, with a creative and positive, "can-do" spirit

Responsibilities

Lead Emerging Technology Research Projects: Conceptualize and direct research projects that build an evidence base to inform how emerging technologies, particularly those connected to generative AI and machine learning, can be integrated into K-12 learning environments in ways that are connected to pedagogical best practices and meaningful learning outcomes within specific subject areas such as math or reading.
Connect Research and Practice. Design research initiatives that are relevant and responsive to the needs of educators and work with the wider Powerful Learning Research team to consider how pilot initiatives can be expanded upon and even scaled among Digital Promise’s wider network of school districts.
Lead Research Strategy: Leverage research based insights to inform the development of practices, policies, and frameworks that directly inform the design of powerful learning experiences and/or the conditions for powerful learning.
Monitor Evolving Innovations in Emerging Technology: Engage in continuous learning about new developments in generative AI and emerging technologies for educational applications by attending conferences and collaborating with thought leaders and external partners.
Lead and Manage Initiative Strategy for AI and other Emerging Technologies, including securing national, state, and philanthropic funding for programming and the internal evaluation of programmatic impact and effectiveness.
Funder Relationships: Form and deepen partnerships with funders to continue to expand the work, considering the contribution from Digital Promise in alignment and support of other projects within the funders’ portfolio.
Sustainability. Identify opportunities across internal Digital Promise program areas to strengthen the impact and sustainability of our research based initiatives.
Strategic dissemination: Build and maintain Digital Promise’s thought leadership on AI in education through strategic dissemination of research activities, such as attending and presenting at high impact conferences and/or webinars to share insights.
External communication: Effectively communicate project work and impact to the field through academic journal articles, publications within conference proceedings, dissemination of public reports, and presentations with external partners, policymakers, and funders.
Resource Development: Support the development of classroom, school, and district-facing resources (e.g., Toolkits, case study models) and knowledge dissemination to drive research-based insights into policy and practice alike.
Internal alignment: Effectively communicate and collaborate with internal Digital Promise teams to ensure alignment on AI initiatives across the organization.
Lead the Powerful Learning Emerging Technologies team, responsible for driving educational research around emerging technologies, providing coaching, direction, and vision-aligned to Impact Goals.
Ensure organizational health and cultivate a positive and inclusive workplace culture and employee experience.
Ensure all team members have the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to fulfill their day-to-day responsibilities; ensure respective team members understand their critical role in the overall organization.
Provide direction and support to team members specific to the issues and opportunities that come from their responsibilities; intervene as needed to course-correct.
Support Deputy Director to hire and develop team personnel.
Oversee and delegate appropriately to a team of researchers, project managers and project directors responsible for executing on
Developing competitive proposals that are responsive to trends in emerging technologies in education.
Managing the implementation of research projects, including data collection and analysis in alignment with ethics and privacy policy; experience designing and maintaining research protocols for Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Maintaining strong relationships with practitioners and partners integral to our research work.
Delivering timely and high-quality outcomes as outlined in grants or contracts.
Contribute positively to the culture of the team, department, and organization
Able to manage multiple competing priorities and rapidly adapt and respond to district and school requests and timeline changes.
Excellent project management skills with an emphasis on attention to detail, timelines, and quality of work
Lead projects and the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), as needed.
Engage in Digital Promise projects that promote and advance digital equity and contribute meaningfully to achieving the organization’s impact goals.
Keep key stakeholders in the loop of key action steps needed to drive the work forward.
Influence and motivate others, building connections, anticipating barriers and inspiring action across various contexts to ensure work objectives are met.
Stays abreast of project milestones, weekly project updates, risks and issues.
Monitor, track, and report progress on relevant goals, for self and direct reports.
Other duties as assigned

Benefits

Digital Promise Global offers a competitive total rewards package including coverage of 85% of health insurance premiums for employee coverage and 75% of health insurance premiums for dependent and family coverage, 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 3% 401k employer contribution, 3% employer 401k match, and a flexible work environment.

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