Director of Research and Innovation

National Center for Learning Disabilities

73d

About The Position

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is a non-profit organization that partners with educators, students, families, and young adults to advance innovative research and advocate for equitable policies that address systemic barriers in schools, workplaces, and communities. For nearly 50 years, NCLD’s dedicated team has worked to create a world with unrestricted access and unlimited opportunities for those with learning disabilities. JOB SUMMARY The Director of Research and Innovation is responsible for leading the team of professionals who execute the research initiatives within NCLD’s strategic plan to advance the organization’s mission and advances innovation in policy and practice based on NCLD’s research agenda. A strategic thinker and thought partner, the Director leads departmental goal setting and ensures the execution of NCLD’s research agenda by providing the clarity, capacity, and support needed to achieve research goals in support of NCLD’s mission. The Director will collaborate with team members across the organization to successfully lead and support projects while also providing mentorship and professional development opportunities to research team members. In collaboration with other team members, the Director is charged with shaping the vision for NCLD’s research, innovating by using research insights to inform practice or systems-level change, incorporating partnership with NCLD’s constituents and policy priorities such that NCLD’s research can advance innovations and equity in policy and practice for individuals with LD.

Requirements

Ph.D. in education, social sciences, disability, or other related-areas.
10+ years’ work experience, in a non-profit preferred
Deep knowledge of the field of learning disabilities, attention disorders, executive functioning, and educationpolicy and programming.
Expertise in Qualitative, Quantitative, or Mixed Methods research design.
Understanding of the state of research within the LD community and community-based research in general.
Willingness to challenge standard thinking with new ideas, new approaches, and new solutions.
Highly creative, curious, entrepreneurial, and innovative; passion for user-centered design, complex problemsolving, and bringing ideas to life.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
Demonstrated expertise in grant writing, grant-management, and direct project management.
Demonstrated ability to compile, analyze, and tell a story with complex data.
Sense of humor; positive attitude.
Passion and commitment to NCLD’s mission.
Ability to work flexible hours, as needed.

Responsibilities

Alongside CEO, set and measure ambitious yearly goals for NCLD’s research initiatives and assess the alignment of these efforts with the overall mission and vision of the organization.
Lead vision setting for NCLD’s research agenda, in collaboration with team members, ensuring alignment across research, programmatic, and policy initiatives and synergy with NCLD’s strategic plan.
Facilitate agile teamwork processes for the research team, ensuring alignment with departmental goals, helping teams to protect capacity and remove barriers, and improving team and cross-departmental efficiency.
Oversee research budget and budgetary decision-making, including managing accounts with vendors and subcontracts, ensuring projects remain on budget.
Coach and support research team members and consultants in planning, executing, and communicating research findings related to LD to a broad range of stakeholders.
Supervise and mentor research team members, providing professional development opportunities, ongoing feedback, and coaching to team members in their people management skills to ensure alignment and consistency across the organization.
Incorporate feedback from individuals with learning disabilities, families/caregivers, and others where appropriate, on the research activities and priorities of NCLD.
Support the advancement of the Professional Advisory Board, creating opportunities to leverage the group’s expertise to advance NCLD’s research initiatives.
Collaborate with the Development team and Professional Advisory Board to build new funding opportunities, potentially including Federal grants and contracts, consultancy and advising models, and subawards from strategic partners.
Engage with thought leaders, experts, and leading practitioners to promote NCLD’s mission and strategic plan.
Represent NCLD at conferences and meetings and occasionally to the media.
Serve as in-house expert, providing timely information and feedback to NCLD leadership, team members, project staff, consultants, and program partners.
Other duties as assigned.