Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Vocational Research Director

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about shaping the future of work and education? We are searching for an accomplished and strategic Vocational Research Director to lead our organization's research initiatives. In this pivotal leadership role, you will be the architect of our research agenda, spearheading innovative, mixed-methods studies that explore critical issues in vocational training, career and technical education (CTE), and workforce development. You will manage a talented team of researchers, secure funding, and translate complex data into compelling narratives and actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders. This is a unique opportunity to drive national conversations and create tangible impact on economic mobility and educational equity.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Research Scientist / Senior Researcher
Research Manager or Associate Director
Senior Policy Analyst with a research focus
Program Director in Workforce Development

Advancement To:

Vice President of Research & Evaluation
Chief Research Officer
Executive Director of a research institute or non-profit
Senior Fellow at a policy think tank

Lateral Moves:

Director of Policy and Advocacy
Director of Program Evaluation
Director of Institutional Research at a large educational system

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop and manage a comprehensive, long-term research agenda that aligns with the organization's strategic priorities and addresses pressing questions in vocational education and labor market dynamics.
Lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of complex, mixed-methods research projects, from initial proposal development to final dissemination.
Direct and mentor a high-performing team of researchers, data analysts, and project staff, fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity, methodological rigor, and professional development.
Secure and manage a diverse portfolio of grants and contracts from federal agencies (e.g., Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Education), private foundations, and other funding entities to sustain and grow the research division.
Author and oversee the production of high-impact research reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, policy briefs, and white papers that contribute to the field and influence decision-makers.
Analyze large-scale administrative, survey, and economic datasets (e.g., BLS, Census, state longitudinal data systems) to identify emerging trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and generate key insights.
Translate sophisticated research findings into clear, actionable recommendations for a wide range of audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, funders, and the general public.
Serve as a primary subject matter expert and spokesperson for the organization, representing our research at national conferences, congressional briefings, advisory panels, and media interviews.
Establish and cultivate strategic partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, industry associations, and community-based organizations to enhance research relevance and impact.
Ensure the absolute integrity, validity, and ethical conduct of all research activities, including managing Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes and data security protocols.
Develop and manage the research department's annual budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and alignment of project timelines with financial plans.
Provide strategic counsel and data-driven intelligence to the executive leadership team to inform organizational strategy, program development, and advocacy efforts.
Lead the development and application of advanced quantitative models, including econometric and predictive analytics, to forecast workforce needs and assess the return on investment of training programs.
Oversee the execution of in-depth qualitative research, including multi-site case studies, focus groups with diverse populations, and in-depth interviews with key informants, to provide rich contextual understanding.
Direct the design, validation, and implementation of robust data collection instruments, such as surveys, interview protocols, and observational rubrics, to ensure high-quality data.
Guide the creation of compelling data visualizations, interactive dashboards, and dynamic presentations to communicate complex findings in an accessible and impactful manner.
Manage relationships with external consultants, academic collaborators, and subcontracted research partners to ensure project goals are met on time and with high quality.
Proactively monitor the policy landscape and academic literature to identify emerging research opportunities and maintain the organization's position at the forefront of the field.
Lead efforts to build and maintain a national reputation for the organization as a trusted, non-partisan leader in vocational and workforce research.
Cultivate a data-driven culture throughout the organization by promoting the use of evidence in decision-making and program improvement.

Secondary Functions

Provide expert consultation and technical assistance to internal program teams and external partners on research design and evaluation methods.
Contribute thought leadership pieces, blog posts, and articles for organizational publications and external media outlets.
Collaborate with the communications team to develop dissemination strategies that maximize the reach and impact of research findings.
Participate in strategic planning processes for the organization, ensuring the research perspective is integrated into long-range goals.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep expertise in advanced quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including experimental and quasi-experimental design.
Advanced proficiency with at least one major statistical software package such as Stata, R, SAS, or SPSS.
Proven track record of successful grant writing and securing significant research funding from federal agencies and/or major foundations.
Experience managing and analyzing large-scale, complex datasets, including longitudinal administrative data (e.g., UI wage records, state educational data).
Strong knowledge of survey design, psychometric validation, and research instrument development.
Subject matter expertise in key areas of workforce development, career and technical education (CTE), labor economics, or postsecondary education policy.
Proficiency in using data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to create insightful and accessible reports and dashboards.

Soft Skills

Exceptional leadership, mentorship, and team management skills with a demonstrated ability to build and inspire a high-performing team.
Visionary and strategic thinking, with the ability to set a long-term research direction that anticipates future trends.
Superb written and oral communication skills, with a talent for translating complex technical information for non-expert audiences.
Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously from inception to completion.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills for effective stakeholder engagement and partnership development.
High degree of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a problem-solving mindset.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master’s Degree in a relevant social science or quantitative field.

Preferred Education:

Ph.D. or Ed.D. in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Economics, Public Policy, Sociology
Education Policy, Statistics, Workforce Development

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 8-12 years of progressively responsible experience in conducting and leading applied research, with at least 4-5 years in a management or leadership capacity.

Preferred:

A strong publication record, including peer-reviewed articles, major reports, and policy briefs.
Direct experience as a Principal Investigator (PI) or Project Director on federally-funded research grants or contracts.
Established network and reputation within the workforce development, education policy, or academic research communities.
Experience working in a non-profit, government, or contract research (think tank) environment.