Director of Policy and Research

Position Overview

The Director of Policy and Research is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the staff and work outputs of the Policy and Research Team. This role includes managing CivicsEDU’s research initiatives and developing the organization’s advocacy strategy to promote a stronger emphasis on civics within educational policy.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Analysis and Development

• Lead research initiatives to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities in civic education and engagement.
• Develop evidence-based policy recommendations to guide CivicsEDU programs and initiatives.
• Monitor local, state, and national policy changes affecting civic education and provide timely analysis.

Research and Data Management

• Oversee the design, implementation, and analysis of surveys, including the Civic Pulse Survey, to assess community civic education needs.
• Manage data collection, ensuring integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with ethical research standards.
• Publish research findings in reports, white papers, and other relevant formats for stakeholders and the public.

Strategic Collaboration and Advocacy

• Collaborate with internal teams to align research outputs with organizational goals, such as the strategic plan and program development.
• Serve as a liaison to academic and policy institutions, including partnerships with colleges/universities, local governments, and other public/private organizations.
• Represent CivicsEDU at conferences, forums, and public engagements to advocate for improved civic education policies.

Program Evaluation

• Develop and implement evaluation frameworks to measure the effectiveness of CivicsEDU programs and initiatives.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to enhance program impact and scalability.

Leadership and Team Development

• Supervise research staff, interns, and volunteers involved in policy and research projects.
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to build a skilled and knowledgeable team.
• Contribute to organizational planning as a member of the senior leadership team.

Grant Writing and Fundraising Support

• Collaborate with the Development team to identify funding opportunities aligned with policy and research priorities.
• Draft and review grant proposals that emphasize the value and impact of research initiatives.

Time Commitment

As a volunteer organization, we hold monthly all-staff meetings as well as team meetings lasting approximately an hour and a half each. While there are no fixed work hours, we encourage you to dedicate available time between these meetings to projects relevant to your role. It is highly recommended that the selected candidate retain their current employment arrangement while offering their services to CivicsEDU.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and leading research projects.
• Experience in data collection, analysis, and visualizations.
• A strong working knowledge of American government (including federal, state, and local government) and its institutions and processes.
• Strong understanding of civic literacy and community engagement.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic and community-focused team.
• Preference will be given to candidates that reside within the Charlotte metropolitan area.