Managing Director, Assessment & Human Capital

American Institutes for Research•Sacramento, CA

18h•$170,000 - $230,000•Remote

About The Position

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is seeking a Managing Director to grow and lead its Assessment & Human Capital (AHC) work within the Employment & Economic Opportunity Program. The role sets strategy, builds business, develops talent, fosters innovation in AI-enabled assessment and workforce strategies, and supports high-quality research, technical assistance, and measurement initiatives. The Managing Director will help position AIR as a national leader in understanding and measuring human capabilities in an AI-enabled world, with a particular focus on the intersection of education and workforce assessments and AI. The position provides leadership across large-scale K–12 assessment, workforce assessment, skills and competency measurement, and related research and technical assistance. Candidates may work remotely within the United States or from a U.S. AIR office location; U.S. territories are excluded. The position is open to U.S. citizens only. Upon hire, the incumbent must obtain clearance through the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) system. AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address challenges in the United States and globally.

Requirements

At least 15 years of experience and a Ph.D. in a relevant field with substantial senior-level experience, or a Master’s degree with significant related leadership experience.
Relevant fields include education, psychology, psychometrics, measurement and evaluation, statistics, public policy, industrial/organizational psychology, workforce development, social science, data science, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience leading a collection of complex projects, including direct leadership of major projects and responsibility for strategy, financial performance, staff, and project delivery.
Significant leadership experience in education and workforce assessments, measurement research, AI/data science, or a closely related field.
Strong knowledge of assessment and measurement, including contemporary issues affecting large-scale K–12, postsecondary, workforce, skills-based, or competency-based assessment.
Knowledge of generative AI and emerging AI applications in education and/or workforce assessment or measurement research.
Ability to identify emerging market trends and translate them into organizational strategy, research agendas, capabilities, partnerships, or business opportunities.
Strong strategic leadership and organizational management skills.
Strong understanding of assessment, measurement, and the emerging implications of AI for education and workforce systems.
Ability to connect technical and research expertise with client needs, market opportunities, and organizational strategy.
Ability to communicate complex assessment, research, AI, and technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Effective written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong business development, client engagement, and relationship management abilities.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams and senior staff.
Ability to collaborate across organizational and disciplinary boundaries.
Ability to manage multiple strategic and operational priorities in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
Commitment to technical rigor, responsible innovation, evidence-based practice, equity, and continuous learning.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Upon hire, the incumbent must obtain clearance through the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) system.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing or implementing innovative assessment or measurement approaches, including AI-supported, performance-based, simulation-based, adaptive, or automated-scoring approaches.

Responsibilities

Set strategic direction and oversee growth, impact, and performance, cultivating a portfolio approach to building project-based work.
Align research, technical assistance, partnerships, talent, operations, and business development to maximize impact and growth.
Provide strategic and operational leadership for AIR’s Assessment & Human Capital work.
Provide strategic leadership for established assessment and measurement work and ensure technical quality, rigor, fairness, and relevance.
Advance AIR’s leadership in AI-enabled assessment, measurement, and human performance research.
Shape research, standards, and solutions promoting valid, fair, transparent, secure, and trustworthy education and workforce assessments.
Lead development of approaches for measuring AI literacy, human-AI collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, professional judgment, and other competencies important in AI-enabled learning and work environments.
Develop and execute a growth strategy expanding AIR’s leadership in AI, assessment, workforce systems, and human performance.
Lead and support business development and capture efforts, including building a pipeline of strategically aligned opportunities across federal, state, philanthropic, and commercial markets.
Recruit, develop, and retain senior research, technical, operational, and project leaders; coach, mentor, and support staff and leaders across the organization.
Collaborate across AIR to bring together expertise in assessment, psychometrics, data science, AI, education, workforce development, behavioral science, technology, and program implementation.
Lead and oversee complex, high-impact projects and teams, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery, technical rigor, client responsiveness, collaboration, and operational performance.
Build and maintain relationships with federal and state agencies, education systems, employers, assessment organizations, technology organizations, foundations, professional associations, and other partners.
Develop strategic partnerships that combine AIR’s expertise with complementary external capabilities.
Represent AIR through client engagements, professional associations, conferences, publications, convenings, and other thought-leadership activities.