Great Minds is looking for an Associate Director, Impact and Innovation Research to lead high-impact research initiatives that drive evidence-based improvement and innovation across our products and services. In this role, you will guide a comprehensive research agenda that informs curriculum implementation, evaluates program effectiveness, and supports the development of new and existing solutions.
What You'll Do
- Develop and lead a research strategy integrating implementation evaluation and product innovation.
- Collaborate with leaders across Product Development, Implementation Services, and Design to inform strategic decisions.
- Design and oversee mixed-methods studies evaluating curriculum effectiveness, implementation fidelity, and user needs.
- Monitor trends in K–12 education, implementation science, and learning science for strategic planning.
- Lead and mentor a team of researchers, providing strategic direction and professional development.
- Act as a thought partner to senior leadership, translating research into actionable insights.
- Foster a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement across teams.
- Conduct user research and needs assessments to support early-stage product ideation and testing.
- Ensure timely, accurate analysis and synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data.
- Produce compelling reports and presentations for internal and external audiences.
- Collaborate with school districts and external stakeholders to conduct field studies.
- Represent Great Minds at national conferences and in publications.
- Develop partnerships with academic institutions and research networks.
What We're Looking For
- 7+ years of experience in implementation, evaluation, or education product research in K–12 or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience managing research teams and leading strategic, cross-functional projects.
- Deep expertise in mixed-methods research design, analysis, and synthesis.
- Proven success using research to inform product strategy and improve implementation outcomes.
- Strong understanding of curriculum development, instructional design, and educator support systems.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex findings to diverse audiences.
- Skills in managing competing priorities, timelines, and resources in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and influence senior stakeholders.
- Commitment to educational equity and a passion for improving outcomes for all students.
- Bachelor’s degree in education, research methodology, behavioral science, or a related field.
Nice to Have
- Experience conducting research to inform product development or user experience in an education context.
- Familiarity with design thinking, lean product development, or similar innovation methodologies.
- Understanding of the K–12 education policy and funding landscape.
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in education, evaluation, research methodology, or a related discipline.
Team & Environment
You will be a senior member of the Research team, reporting to the Senior Director, Research. Great Minds is a high-growth, mission-driven organization. We believe all students deserve access to meaningful, challenging content and all teachers deserve tools that are intuitive, effective, and built for classroom realities. Our culture is committed to usability, coherence, and practical implementation, with a shared belief in high expectations, joyful rigor, and deep respect for educators and students.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary range: $133,000-$146,000
Work Mode
This is a remote position open to candidates located in Washington, DC (District of Columbia), United States.
Great Minds is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
