Director Research & Data Analytics

Coleridge Initiative

1d•$160,000 - $170,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Research & Data Analytics provides technical and project leadership for Coleridge’s applied research, analytics, and evaluation portfolio using administrative and linked data. The role ensures methodological rigor, analytic quality, and policy relevance while collaborating across teams to advance research initiatives. As Project Lead for assigned engagements, the Director oversees project execution, deliverables, and coordination of internal and external contributors. The position also strengthens research quality standards, contributes to revenue growth by developing funded research opportunities, and serves as a thought leader on using administrative data to inform policy and program decisions. The Director leads research strategy and portfolio activities, establishes methodological standards and analytic protocols, identifies research innovation opportunities, and integrates research approaches across sectors including education, workforce, human services, and justice. The role develops organization-wide quality assurance and quality control processes, promotes reproducible research practices, supports business development and partnerships, represents Coleridge through publications and presentations, and collaborates with training, product, and data enclave teams to turn research innovations into scalable offerings. This is a remote-based position, with an East Coast location strongly preferred. Work may be programmed for weekdays, weekends, and evenings. The position is primarily sedentary and involves working at a home-office desk or computer workstation.

Requirements

Advanced degree in public policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field; a PhD is strongly preferred.
10 or more years of experience conducting applied research or evaluation using administrative or linked data.
Demonstrated experience working with state and federal government, nonprofit, or academic partners.
Expertise in quantitative and mixed-methods research design.
Experience coordinating multidisciplinary research projects and collaborators.
Strong track record of publications, presentations, or other forms of thought leadership.
Experience contributing to successful proposal development and client engagement.
Familiarity with secure data environments and privacy-preserving research practices.
Excellent communication skills and ability to translate analytic insights for policy and operational audiences.

Nice To Haves

PhD in public policy, economics, statistics, data science, or a related field.
East Coast location.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and execution of research, analytics, and evaluation activities across projects, focusing on administrative and linked data.
Establish methodological standards and analytic protocols that support rigor, reproducibility, and policy relevance.
Identify research innovation opportunities aligned with Coleridge’s mission and strategic priorities.
Integrate research approaches across sectors such as education, workforce, human services, and justice.
Serve as Project Lead for assigned research engagements, overseeing scope, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and internal and external contributors.
Develop and implement organization-wide quality assurance and quality control processes for analytic outputs, including reviews of code, methods, and findings.
Ensure analytic deliverables meet standards for validity, transparency, and usability for decision-makers.
Promote best practices in data documentation, version control, and reproducible research workflows.
Cultivate relationships with government agencies, foundations, and research partners to identify, develop, and secure funded research opportunities.
Provide technical leadership for proposals, concept papers, and partnership development.
Collaborate with senior leadership to shape offerings that expand Coleridge’s research and evaluation footprint.
Represent Coleridge through publications, conference presentations, and stakeholder convenings.
Monitor methodological and technological developments in applied research and administrative data analysis.
Partner with training, product, and data enclave teams to translate research innovations into scalable offerings such as courses, tools, and visualization products.
Support analytic frameworks and demonstration projects that strengthen Coleridge’s market position.
Advise leadership on research-related risks, opportunities, and strategic investments.