Great Minds
Associate Director, Impact and Innovation Research
K-5
Edtech.com's Summary
Great Minds is hiring an Associate Director, Impact and Innovation Research. This role leads strategic research initiatives to evaluate and improve Great Minds' educational products, collaborating across teams to drive evidence-based innovations that enhance outcomes for educators and students.
Highlights
- Lead research strategy integrating curriculum evaluation and product innovation aligned with organizational goals.
- Collaborate with Product Development, Implementation Services, and Design teams to inform decisions with research findings.
- Design and manage mixed-methods studies assessing curriculum effectiveness, implementation fidelity, and user needs.
- Mentor and manage a research team, fostering professional growth and research literacy.
- Translate complex research data into clear reports and presentations for diverse audiences including executives and educators.
- Engage externally with school districts, academic institutions, and policy organizations to expand research impact.
- Require 7+ years in education research (K–12) with 3+ years in research leadership and deep expertise in mixed-methods methodologies.
- Strong understanding of curriculum development, instructional design, and educator support systems essential.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in education, evaluation, or related fields.
- Base salary range: $133,000–$146,000, subject to factors like experience and location.
Associate Director, Impact and Innovation Research Full Description
Associate Director, Impact and Innovation Research
Remote
DC, District of Columbia, United States
DC, District of Columbia, United States
Product
Job description
Who We Are
Great Minds is a high-growth, mission-driven organization founded by educators in 2007. As a for-profit, Public Benefit Corporation, we believe all students deserve access to meaningful, challenging content—and all teachers deserve tools that are intuitive, effective, and built for the realities of today’s classrooms.
We develop high-quality, knowledge-rich math, science and ELA curricula grounded in research and designed in collaboration with educators. Our materials reflect real classroom needs and are built to drive lasting student outcomes.
We are committed to usability, coherence, and practical implementation—supporting teachers not just through curriculum, but with professional learning, purposeful technology, and responsive service that enable strong adoption and impact.
What We Build
Our products—Eureka Math and Eureka Math², Wit & Wisdom, PhD Science, Geodes, and the newly launched Arts & Letters ELA—are trusted by thousands of schools and districts nationwide.
- Eureka Math is the most widely used math curriculum in the U.S., and is focused on balancing conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application.
- Wit & Wisdom® and Arts & Letters ELA™ anchor our reading strategy with content-rich, grade-level instruction that integrates literature, history, and the arts, grounded in the science of reading. Geodes® complements our reading suite with decodable texts that pair phonics with meaningful content to support early literacy.
- PhD Science is a hands-on K-5 Science program that sparks curiosity as students build enduring knowledge of how the scientific world works.
These programs reflect a shared belief in high expectations, joyful rigor, and deep respect for educators and students.
Where We’re Headed
Great Minds is entering a new stage of growth and product maturity. We are focused on building more connected, customer-informed experiences across the full educator journey—from curriculum to professional learning to platform and support.
Our long-term vision is to become a true partner in impact—not just delivering curriculum, but supporting educators in achieving outcomes at scale.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Senior Director, Research, the Associate Director, Impact and Innovation Research will lead high-impact research initiatives that drive evidence-based improvement and innovation across Great Minds’ products and services. As a senior member of the Research team, this individual will guide a comprehensive research agenda that informs curriculum implementation, evaluates program effectiveness, and supports the development of new and existing products. This role will combine strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and methodological rigor to ensure that research insights lead to meaningful, scalable outcomes for educators and students.
Responsibilities
Strategic Research Leadership
- Develop and lead a research strategy that integrates implementation evaluation and product innovation in alignment with organizational priorities.
- Collaborate with leaders across Product Development, Implementation Services, and Design to ensure research informs both strategic decisions and the development of new solutions.
- Design and oversee mixed-methods studies that evaluate curriculum effectiveness, implementation fidelity, user needs, and opportunities for product refinement or innovation.
- Monitor trends in K–12 education, implementation science, and learning science to guide future-focused research and strategic planning.
Organizational Leadership and Team Management
- Lead and mentor a team of researchers, providing strategic direction, professional development, and coaching to support team growth and impact.
- Act as a thought partner to senior leadership, translating research into actionable insights that guide high-stakes decisions.
- Foster a culture of inquiry, innovation, and continuous improvement across teams by building research literacy and systems for evidence-based decision-making.
Research Execution and Dissemination
- Oversee the design and implementation of complex, mixed-methods studies to evaluate the impact of curricula, professional learning, and implementation models.
- Conduct user research and needs assessments to support early-stage product ideation, development, and testing.
- Ensure timely, accurate analysis and synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data to support product refinement and strategic planning.
- Produce compelling reports, briefs, and presentations that clearly communicate findings to internal and external audiences, including executives, educators, and partners.
External Engagement and Thought Leadership
- Collaborate with school districts, educators, and external stakeholders to conduct field studies and gather implementation data.
- Represent Great Minds at national conferences, industry events, and in publications to share research findings and highlight the organization’s leadership in education research.
- Develop partnerships with academic institutions, policy organizations, and research networks to expand the reach and impact of Great Minds’ research efforts.
Job requirements
Requirements
- 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 research 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 clearly and persuasively 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
Preferred Qualifications
- 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
Required Education
- Bachelor’s degree in education, research methodology, behavioral science, or a related field
Preferred:
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in education, evaluation, research methodology, or a related discipline
Status
Full-time
Location
Remote
The expected base salary range for this position is $133,000-$146,000, however the offered salary may be higher or lower than the above range dependent on numerous factors including, but not limited to location, work experience, skills and internal equity considerations. The base salary is not inclusive of benefits or other incentives.
A cover letter and resume are required to be considered for this position.
New employees will be required to successfully complete a background check.
Any communication to applicants relating to the Great Minds hiring process will only come from email addresses with the domains greatminds.org or greatminds.recruitee.com. If in the course of the application or hiring process with Great Minds you are contacted through another domain, are requested to provide banking or other sensitive information, or you note any other suspicious activity, please contact security@greatminds.org
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. Our policy reflects and affirms the organization’s commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.
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