Program Area Director

Build what comes next in education.

Child Trends is seeking an 
entrepreneurial, service-oriented leader

to guide our Education program into its next phase of growth and impact. This is not a role for someone who wants to be told what to do or check boxes to follow. It 
is

a role for someone excited to design and lead high 
data and research into practical guidance that supports educators, systems leaders, and policymakers in addressing some of the most important and urgent questions in education today

. 

If you are driven by outcomes for young people, energized by change and the opportunities within ambiguity, and motivated to lead by enabling others, removing barriers, and supporting teams to do their best work, this role is for you.

The Role

This position is for a Program Area Director to lead a passionate group of education-focused scientists, technical assistance specialists, research analysts, and assistants in conducting research, evaluations, and technical assistance work, and in communicating findings to improve the lives and prospects of children and youth across the country. 

Who Should Apply

This role is especially well-suited for someone who:

• Believes 
  research should drive real-world education decisions
  and measurable outcomes
• Has 
  a track record
  of shaping, securing support for, and leading education research, evaluation and technical assistance efforts that influence policy, practice, and systems improvement
• Brings strong 
  mixed methods
   
  methodological
  expertise, particularly quantitative
  fluency (or deep working knowledge)
• Values 
  participatory approaches
   that elevate student, educator, and community perspectives in research, technical assistance, and decision making
• Leads by 
  coaching, developing, and empowering teams
   and fostering shared accountability
• Has 
  on-the-ground experience improving schools, districts, agencies, or education systems
• Is excited by innovation, including the potential of AI
  in research and schools
• Seeks 
  ownership and empowerment
  , not a predefined playbook

You should still apply even if you don't check every box

—especially if you are a builder, AI thought leader, systems thinker, or practitioner-turned-researcher who sees possibilities others haven't yet named.

This position reports to the vice president overseeing education research. 

How You'll Spend Your Time (Typical)

• ~60% leading current projects
  , overseeing
  all aspects of major research, evaluation, or technical assistance initiatives
• ~25% developing and securing funding for new projects
  through funder cultivation, proposal development, and partnership building
• ~15% program leadership, strategy, and team development
  , including talent development, operational oversight, and continuous improvement

You'll often serve as a Principal Investigator or Project Director, while also shaping what comes next. Depending on the knowledge, skills, and experiences of the candidate, we may have full project coverage available.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate is highly likely to provide data demonstrating their prior successes in these areas: 

• Demonstrated ability to deliver results in education systems
  , including influencing policy, practice, or implementation decisions
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead teams
• Extensive experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams
  , including researchers, analysts, and technical assistance providers
• Deep research and evaluation expertise
  , with substantial experience designing and overseeing rigorous mixed-methods studies and applied evaluations
• Success originating, developing, and securing and securing multi-year, multi-million-dollar grants and contracts
   from philanthropic organizations, the federal government, and state agencies
• Experience with federal and state contracting
  , including compliance, deliverables, and partner coordination
• Demonstrated
  field thought leadership in content or methodological area
• Strong understanding of the U.S. education system and policy landscape
   across federal, state, and local levels
• Demonstrated strength in research translation and strategic communication
   with a track record of producing products that make evidence accessible and actionable for decision makers
• Strong or growing visibility in the education policy or education research
  with a strong professional network of researchers and public officials and frequent opportunities for public speaking in research and policy forums
• PhD or equivalent expertise
   gained through professional experience
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience
   in education research, evaluation, technical assistance, or closely related fields

Why Child Trends

Child Trends is nationally known for translating rigorous evidence into insights that shape policy and practice. We offer:

• A respected national platform and trusted voice
• Significant flexibility and autonomy
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture
• A track record as a great place to work

If you want to help build the future of education research—and ensure it actually improves outcomes for children and youth—we want to hear from you.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply as soon as possible. We hope to have a candidate selected by mid-January and will review applications every Friday. 

Please apply through the link provided. Submit 
one combined document

including:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Authored thought leadership piece on an education topic, such as a blog or op-ed, report, or presentation
• Contact information for three professional references, including at least one current practitioner who can speak to applied experience and impact (due to the speed of this hire, please know and alert references that we may reach out at any point)

If you encounter technical issues, email materials to 

with the position title in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

Locations:

Flexible Remote Work; Child Trends' offices are based in Rockville, MD; Minneapolis, MN but most of our staff work remotely. While we are set up to hire remote staff in many states, we are not yet operating everywhere in the US and do not have any overseas operations. We are currently approved to hire full-time staff in AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV. The organization will require time to assess additional set up requirements (e.g., employment and tax law) for locations outside of areas where we are currently approved to hire. Individuals who would like to work from areas outside of the currently approved states, if offered the position, should indicate this preference as early as possible in the application process. 

Benefits:

Employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week are offered generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays; optional individual/domestic partner/family medical, dental and vision benefits effective first day of employment; optional pet benefits; pre-tax reimbursement funds (FSA, HSA, Commuter); life insurance; short/long term disability, basic life and AD&D coverage paid for by Child Trends; paid family leave; paid bereavement leave; professional development and tuition reimbursement allowance; and 403(b) retirement plan with immediate vesting and Child Trends contributions after 1 year of employment. 

Child Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center headquartered in Rockville, MD with around 200 employees in over 28 states that provides valuable information and insights on the well-being of children, youth, and their families. For more than 40 years, policymakers, funders, educators, and service providers in the U.S. have relied on our data and analyses to make better decisions and policies on programs serving children, families, and youth
. 

Child Trends is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.