Senior Director/Director Arts Research & Impact (Arts Education)

NJPAC Arts Education

NJPAC has the largest arts education department in the state, serving nearly 112,000 families and students in grades Pre-K through 12; approx. 74% of participating students attend Title I schools. Programs include on-campus and in-school performances, artist-in-residencies, after-school and summer arts training, and professional development for teachers.

Position Summary:

The Senior Director/ Director of Arts Research and Impact is responsible for creating and implementing the research agenda and impact assessment strategy for the Arts Education Department and the Arts and Well-being initiative. This work will include designing and implementing use-inspired research studies – from the expected to the ingenious – as well as developing and testing relevant tools to measure, evaluate, and convey the Department’s impact. The successful candidate will be grounded in both artistic and scientific approaches and motivated by outcomes and impact at scale.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Subject to the policies and management direction established by the Vice President for Arts Education, the duties of Arts Education Senior Director/ Director Arts of Research and Impact shall include:

Research Agenda & Impact Strategy

• Keep abreast of emerging research related to the Department’s impact goals and seek to support and apply that research for the good of those goals when appropriate
• Develop research goals and objectives that support the theory of change and are met both through the Department’s own research projects and through research partnerships.
• Work collaboratively with the teams of Arts Education and Arts and Well-being to develop a department-wide impact measurement and assessment strategy.
• Conceptualize and manage the execution of reports that raise awareness of the Arts Center’s work.

Metrics as a Change Agent

• Lead the development of data and measurement products that other organizations can adopt to drive the impact of the arts in education and throughout the community
• Conceive and prioritize projects to develop and disseminate metrics, frameworks, and standards whose widespread adoption can help to scale best practices and quality programs
• Develop research partnerships in alignment with the Department’s overall goal and objectives for impact

Program Evaluation

The Senior Director/ Director will work with all program teams including external consultants to ensure data gathering and evaluation systems are in place, meet IRB requirements when necessary, and that each program is continually improving and ultimately meeting its intended impact goals and objectives.

• Design and develop evaluation plans, choose the most effective methodologies, instruments, and resources, and summarize and present findings
• Conduct program observations, interviews, surveys, and focus groups
• Oversee data collection, entry, and quality for programs on-campus and in-schools including securing school district and any IRB approvals when necessary
• Analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data and create systems for using data to provide ongoing feedback and support for program improvement
• Implement and manage internal systems for conducting ongoing outcomes measurement and assessment

Qualifications & Expectations

• Strong project management skills and attention to detail
• Outstanding analytical ability and advanced statistical knowledge with the ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data and extract relevant insights
• Understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion implementation including anti-racist practices.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
• A curious self-starter with a proven track record of diving into unknown territory and learning new concepts
• Facility with data visualization and creating compelling data narratives that are accessible to many different audiences
• Ability to produce high-quality deliverables on time and within budget
• Commitment to high ethical standards
• Superior written and oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate a clear and concise point of view on complicated issues

Additional Details

• Excellent interpersonal skills, and a proven ability to build trust with team members, school leadership, students, and families.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field of study
• Five to seven years of senior management experience
• 5-8 years demonstrated experience and expertise in putting applied research to use to create social innovation and change through the arts and/or outside of an academic context
• Experience developing and managing collaborations and partnerships for research, metrics, and assessment endeavors
• Bi-Lingual preferred, Spanish a plus
• Proven ability to build and manage high-performing teams, programs, and budgets
• Skilled in SPSS, google suite – especially xls, and CRM platforms – Salesforce a plus.
• Willing to conquer the “small tasks” with an understanding of their vital importance in the success of the organization

Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19

Please e-mail résumé, cover letter, and salary requirements to [email protected] with the subject line Senior Director/ Director Arts Research and Impact (Arts Education).

If your application meets our needs, we’ll reach out to continue the process. Thanks for your interest! We look forward to hearing from you.

NJPAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer