Education Research Director Description Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) is seeking an experienced Education Research Director to support proposals for research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The Education Research Director will provide senior leadership for major federally funded education research-to-practice initiatives that support education stakeholders in using data, evidence, and applied research findings about evidence-based practices to improve student academic and related outcomes.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of applied education research expertise, researcher-practitioner partnership experience, and complex project management capacity. To be successful in this role, candidates must demonstrate the ability to lead a team across applied research, training, coaching, technical support, collaboration, partnership development, and dissemination while ensuring compliance with quality standards, federal contract/grant requirements, and stakeholder priorities.

The Education Research Director will serve as a primary strategic, operational, and client-facing leader for the contract and will work closely with other team members, federal program staff, state education leaders, and other partners to ensure that project activities are rigorous, relevant, non-duplicative, timely, accessible, and responsive to regional needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and day-to-day management for a large-scale grant/contract focused on applied education research, evidence use, training, coaching, technical support, partnership development, and dissemination.

Serve as a primary point of contact with the client or funder and ensure timely communication regarding milestones, risks, emerging issues, proposed solutions, and contract performance.

Provide expertise in applied research, researcher-practitioner partnerships, and project management.

Lead or oversee monthly meetings with the client/funder, preparation of meeting agendas, monthly progress reports, expenditure reporting, annual work plans, and other contract deliverables.

Guide development and maintenance of partnerships with state educational agencies, local educational agencies, regional education agencies, institutions of higher education, educators, policymakers, families, community organizations, and other education stakeholders.

Ensure work is aligned with state and regional education priorities, partner-identified high-leverage needs, and measurable short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes.

Oversee the establishment, onboarding, engagement, and ongoing communication of project advisory boards.

Direct coordination and collaboration with other federal investments, federal technical assistance providers, local and national education organizations, and other partners.

Ensure that applied research studies, tools, research products, and dissemination materials meet standards for rigor, relevance, quality, clarity, plain language, and accessibility.

Oversee training, coaching, and technical support activities that incorporate rigorous research, adult learning principles, ...For full information see follow application link. Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Manhattan Strategy Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities who need assistance during the hiring process. To request a reasonable accommodation, please email HRmanhattanstrategy.