Early Childhood Principal Researcher

• Multi-tiered system of support
• Early childhood
• English learners
• Special education

• Serve on the leadership team for AIR’s early childhood business development team.
• Mentor junior colleagues by sharing best practices in conducting research, applying evaluation methods, and leading project tasks; modeling effective approaches for solving problems; and providing feedback on their work.
• Provide thought leadership, build capacity and expand eminence in early childhood care and education.
• Serve as principal investigator and/or project director for large and/or complex research studies, including designing those studies, leading analytical teams, overseeing study tasks, monitoring quality assurance, managing budgets, and fostering client relationships.
• Support AIR’s growth through business development, including leading and writing proposals for grants or contracts to Federal, state, and local education agencies; foundations; and other clients.
• Partner with leaders in the program area and broader organization to advance strategic positioning, capture planning, policy/program influence, and talent development.
• Maintain excellent relationships with funders, clients, and other partners; serve as a primary client contact; and actively grow our portfolio of work through these relationships and by staying abreast of the field's direction.

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Proven record of accomplishment leading proposals and winning competitive contracts/grants from various funding organizations (e.g., Federal, state, and local government; foundations)
• Expertise in the study of birth to age three policies and programs, Head Start programs, childcare programs and/or family social support services preferred but not required
• Reputation for expertise in early childhood care and education or child development, with expertise in equity, social justice, and cultural and linguistic competence, as evidenced through publications/presentations, award of contracts and grants, and overall body of work
• At least 7 years of project leadership experience, including proposal writing, project management, staff supervision, report writing, and external relationship management
• Doctoral degree in child development, developmental psychology, human development, education, public or social policy, economics, or a related field
• Experience effectively leading and mentoring diverse teams working on research-focused projects and/or tasks within large/complex projects, including managing work to ensure excellence, timeliness, and on-budget execution
• Proven ability to develop staff capacity in research and evaluation design and methods, project management, client relationships, research publication and business development

Skills:

• Demonstrated strong writing skills to effectively communicate findings and policy implications from technical research for policymakers and practitioners
• Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective communication with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds, including the capacity to collaborate professionally with clients, federal or foundation project officers, implementing partners, consultants, program leadership staff, and other stakeholders
• Commitment to AIR’s mission and the application of research findings to contribute to a better, more equitable world

Disclosures:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers an anticipated annual salary of $150,000 - $180,000. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.