Senior Director, Georgia Policy Labs

Senior Director, Georgia Policy Labs

Georgia State University

Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Georgia Policy Labs

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (AYSPS) at Georgia State University (GSU) invites applications for an experienced, dynamic, and enterprising Senior Director to lead the Georgia Policy Labs (GPL). GPL is an interdisciplinary research center within AYSPS that drives policy and programmatic decisions that lift children, students, and families—especially those experiencing vulnerabilities. It produces evidence and actionable insights to realize the safety, capability, and economic security of every child, young adult, and family in Georgia by leveraging the power of data. It works with school district and state agency partners to magnify their research capabilities and focus on their greatest areas of need. The Senior Director will join GPL at an opportune moment as it seeks to build on its national reputation and grow its impact in engaged, actionable research.

A successful candidate will:

• Lead GPL and manage its day-to-day operations, including partnerships, communication, finance, data security, risk management, and personnel.
• Develop and execute the strategic plan and direction for GPL to ensure that the mission is met through consequential research.
• Manage and nurture GPL’s relationships with government and organization partners and develop new strategic relationships.
• Build partnerships with faculty and staff across AYSPS and GSU to increase engaged, actionable research and high-quality trainings for government and organization partners.
• Cultivate relationships with prospective and current funders outside the University and lead fundraising efforts on an on-going basis.
• Ensure research is completed on-time, within scope, and with high quality by executing and improving project management tools, conducting regular meetings with researchers and research staff, and executing a peer-review system.

The Senior Director of GPL will be an employee of Georgia State University, reporting to the Dean of AYSPS and overseeing all core staff of the labs in collaboration with its three faculty directors.

About the Labs: The Georgia Policy Labs (GPL) is a collaboration between Georgia State University and a variety of government agencies to promote evidence-based policy development and implementation. Housed in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, GPL works to create an environment where policymakers have the information and tools available to improve the effectiveness of existing government policies and programs, try out new ideas for addressing pressing issues, and decide what new initiatives are promising enough to scale up. The ultimate goal is to help government entities more effectively use scarce resources and make a positive difference in people’s lives. GPL comprises three labs: The Metro Atlanta Policy Lab for Education works to improve K-12 educational outcomes in metro Atlanta; the Career and Technical Education Exchange focuses on high-school-based career and technical education in multiple U.S. states; and the Child and Family Policy Lab works with state agencies to improve outcomes for children and families. In addition to conducting evidence-based policy research, GPL serves as a teaching and learning resource for state officials and policymakers, students, and other constituents.

The Senior Director will join and lead an organization that has active research-practice partnerships with multiple school districts, state agencies, and a community organization. GPL also has also recently secured several large multi-year sponsored funding projects. The organization has an established group of researchers and research affiliates, dedicated and talented staff, and outstanding data infrastructure.

Andrew Young School and Campus Environment: The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies is ranked among the top 20 policy schools in the United States. The school houses five academic departments and other outstanding research centers and institutes in child and family policy, health policy, experimental economics, urban studies, and other fields. Georgia State University, an enterprising R-1 university located in Atlanta, is a national leader in using innovation to drive student success and research growth. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s diversity index as among the most diverse universities in the nation, GSU is a national leader in graduating first-generation college students from diverse backgrounds. GSU also has the distinction of annually graduating more African American students than any other public or nonprofit institution of higher education. GSU provides its world-class faculty and more than 50,000 students unsurpassed research, teaching, and learning opportunities in one of the 21st century’s great global cities.

For additional information about AYSPS: https://aysps.gsu.edu/

Condition of Work and Benefits: Forty-hour work week, fiscal year appointment. The University System of Georgia (USG) provides comprehensive benefits to Georgia State employees. USG offers healthcare, dental, vision, and other benefits, as well as retirement plan options. https://hr.gsu.edu/service-centers/benefits/

Salary: $140,000–$160,000. Salary commensurate with the candidate’s education and experience. This position is subject to budgetary approval.

Georgia State University Values

·         COMMUNITY: Fostering a distinctive shared identity and common purpose across our multi-campus university.

·         INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY: Respecting the dignity and value of all people and perspectives through honorable conduct based on engagement, fairness, access, equity, and civility.

·         TRANSFORMATION: Intentionally pursuing knowledge, practice, and scholarly rigor to inspire lifelong learning, and to make our community and the world a better place.

·         INTEGRITY: Adhering to our values, mission, and the truth through respectful cooperation and effective stewardship of resources.

·         EXCELLENCE: Achieving the highest standards and distinction in teaching, research and service.

·         STRATEGIC INNOVATION: Embracing invention and creativity in the pursuit of meaningful discovery using our collective talents.

USG Core Values Statement

·         The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office.  Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect.  These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.  More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct

·         Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia State provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services.  Georgia State University complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia State prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions.  This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia State community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia State prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

All members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values, which consists of Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values shape and fundamentally support our University’s work. Additionally, all faculty, staff, and administrators must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents and Georgia State University’s policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom. More information on these policies can be found here: Board of Regents Policy Manual | University System of Georgia (usg.edu) .

Background Check

Successful candidate must be able to pass a comprehensive criminal background investigation and other background searches as applicable to the job such as credit check and Motor Vehicle Record.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of related supervisory/management experience; or a combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications:

• Experience in leading and managing an organization or team of comparable size, preferably within university systems, government agencies, or non-profit organizations.
• Experience leading research teams and managing the quality of research products, preferably engaged policy research involving education, children, and/or families.
• Experience developing cross-agency and cross-sector data agreements and partnerships and managing large sets of sensitive data.
• Demonstrated success in building and sustaining sponsored funding within the public or non-profit sectors to advance the goals and objectives of projects, programs, and initiatives and experience with pre- and post-award funding management.

To be fully considered for this position all candidates must submit the following at the time of submission: 

• A complete and accurate GSU application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three professional references

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Application materials will be reviewed beginning June 10, 2024.