Director of Educational Research and Policy
About The Position
OEQA is seeking a senior leader who brings deep expertise in education policy, research, and data analysis. The ideal candidate is an analytical thinker and strong communicator who can lead complex research efforts, work with large and complex datasets, disaggregate and interpret findings, and present information in ways that are clear, useful, and actionable for multiple stakeholders. This individual will play a key role in helping OEQA use research and data to inform policy, strengthen practice, and support high-quality education across Oklahoma. Position Overview: The Director of Educational Research and Policy provides leadership for research, data analysis, and reporting that inform education policy, program improvement, and decision-making in Oklahoma. This position is responsible for conducting high-quality analyses, evaluating programs and initiatives, interpreting complex findings, and communicating results clearly to a range of stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have expertise in education research and policy, experience working with large and complex datasets, and the ability to disaggregate, visualize, and communicate data in ways that support sound decision-making.
Requirements
- Master’s degree, Ed.D., or Ph.D. in education policy, public policy, economics, sociology, statistics, research methods, or a related field.
- At least five years of experience conducting education research, policy analysis, or applied data analysis.
- Strong knowledge of education policy and the ability to connect research findings to policy and practice.
- Experience working with large or complex datasets and producing analyses that inform decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to disaggregate, interpret, and communicate data for multiple audiences.
- Proficiency in at least one statistical software package, such as R, Python, SAS, or Stata.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Nice To Haves
- Experience creating data visualizations, dashboards, reports, or presentations that make complex information accessible and actionable.
- Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
- Experience conducting program evaluation or policy analysis in education settings.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and integrity.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
Responsibilities
- Design and conduct education research studies, policy analyses, and program evaluations using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches.
- Analyze state and agency data to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and answer policy and programmatic questions.
- Disaggregate data by student group, educator characteristics, certification pathway, geography, and other relevant variables.
- Interpret findings within the context of Oklahoma education policy, program implementation, and relevant research literature.
- Develop briefs, memos, issue papers, and other written products for internal and external audiences.
- Clean, validate, manage, and analyze large or complex datasets using appropriate research methods and statistical tools.
- Develop charts, dashboards, tables, and other visualizations to communicate findings clearly and effectively.
- Translate technical analyses into accessible, actionable information for policymakers, educators, agency staff, and the public.
- Maintain high standards for data quality, documentation, and analytic transparency.
- Contribute to agency reports, legislative materials, board presentations, and public-facing data products.
- Work closely with OEQA leadership and staff to identify research priorities and align analyses with agency goals.
- Collaborate with partner agencies, researchers, vendors, and other stakeholders to support data access, research design, and reporting.
- Present findings to policymakers, the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, educators, and other stakeholders.
- Respond to questions about data, methods, and findings in a clear, professional, and timely manner.
Benefits
- All OEQA employees are subject to a one-year trial period to ensure a good fit with the agency and the position responsibilities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
