Research Officer for Education Leadership
New York, NY
Website: The Wallace Foundation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Wallace Foundation -- an independent, national, New York-based philanthropy with $1.75 billion in assets – traces its origins back more than half a century to DeWitt and Lila Acheson Wallace, founders of The Reader’s Digest Association. The Foundation’s mission is to foster equity and improvements in learning and enrichment for young people, and in the arts for everyone. Grounded by its core values (see Page 2), which guide how staff work together and with grantee and external partners, the Foundation aims to create a workplace where everyone can thrive and support the mission.
The Foundation is seeking a Research Officer to manage its portfolio of research grants and grantees associated with its investments in Education Leadership. The Officer serves as a key member of the education leadership strategy and implementation teams, where the Foundation’s education leadership directions, including research directions, are collaboratively developed and refined. Both teams are comprised of staff from the Foundation’s program, communications, and research units. The Research Officer for Education Leadership will contribute their research perspectives and expertise to support the Foundation’s overall strategy in education leadership, and in particular, to identify related research directions and opportunities to build the knowledge base in ways that advance the Foundation’s strategy.
The four primary dimensions of the Research Officer for Education Leadership position are:
1) Effectively manage the design, review, award, and implementation of a range of research projects developed as a part of the Foundation’s knowledge agenda in education leadership;
2) Intellectually contribute research perspectives to the Foundation’s collaborative process of designing, implementing, and refining its education leadership strategy;
3) Conduct in-depth editorial reviews of commissioned research reports to support knowledge-sharing and dissemination of lessons learned with the broader fields of practice and policy; and
4) Contribute to the Foundation’s research capacity and approach as a part of the Research Unit.
As the Foundation begins a new 6-year initiative focused on equity-centered leadership in Fall 2021, the Research Officer will manage a suite of grants employing a range of predominantly qualitative and mixed methods including ethnography, impact and effects study designs, and development of an equity assessment tool.
Reporting to The Wallace Foundation’s Director of Research, the Research Officer will bring deep knowledge of research in education leadership and equity and a depth of experience with qualitative research in particular. Strong candidates will also demonstrate exceptional relational, translational, and active-listening skills which will be crucial for contributing to sound decision-making in the Foundation’s collaborative team structure. The Foundation values the flexibility to adapt to change, a desire to learn, and the ability to work productively both on one’s own and with colleagues inside and outside the organization.
TO APPLY
This search is being led by Allison Kupfer Poteet and Sarah Hecklau of NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via link above.
The Wallace Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to maintaining a diverse workplace where differing perspectives are a source of strength.
Our Lead
Allison Kupfer Poteet
She/Her/Hers
Managing Partner
Allison leads a national search practice that spans philanthropy at all levels, direct service providers, and a range of nonprofits advancing solutions through policy, advocacy, evaluation and learning, and other innovative approaches to social change.