Associate Director of Research and Development

Home Department: Initiative for Race Research and Justice (RRJ), Department of Teaching and Learning, Peabody College

Position Summary:

The position of Associate Director of Research and Development is part of the Initiative for Race Research and Justice at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. The Associate Director will have an established record or a developing record of successful grant writing and fundraising.  The position involves working in collaboration with the university to develop grant proposals, developing sustainable community/school/university partnerships, designing research projects, collecting data and analyzing data, writing research reports and manuscripts, and supervising staff within the initiative. Reporting directly to the Director, the Associate Director will undertake administrative and research leadership roles to advance the Initiative for Race Research and Justice.

About the Work Unit:

Founded in 2018, RRJ is a growing initiative housed within the Department of Teaching and Learning. The goal of RRJ is to centralize and bring together research and researchers focused on race inside and outside the field of education. RRJ has an overt emphasis on studying and impacting practices and policies toward racial justice. RRJ’s work is organized around three main focal areas: (1) conducting high quality research on race; (2) using new and expanded knowledge to improve practices, policies, society and the overall human condition; and (3) sharing and disseminating knowledge, resources and tools in collaboration with communities, organizations and institutions for racial justice.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Working with the Peabody Research Office to procure funding from both external and internal sources.
• Building, leading and participating in regular meetings with the initiative’s research and development team and director.
• Leading and collaborating on research studies aimed at understanding connections between and among race and other factors.
• Delegating and collaborating on tasks with post graduate, graduate students, undergraduate students and other team members.
• Developing partnerships with school-based administrative teams and other community partners to build trusting, sustainable relationships.
• Writing research and related reports.
• Planning, advertising, marketing, and supporting the development of events, professional learning sessions, and other related activities.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does have supervisory responsibility. Will be responsible for leading and supervising project managers and other team members in research and development. This position reports administratively and functionally to the executive director of RRJ.

Education and Certifications:

• A doctoral/terminal degree in education or a related field is required.

Experience and Skills:

• Previous experience working on research and grant writing
• Strong interest/expertise in quantitative and qualitative research skills
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Communication and writing acumen
• Knowledgebase, interest and understanding of race, equity and social justice

General Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Staff Member:

ACCOUNTABILITY: Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one’s role.

• Works through Issues – Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes, if things aren’t going well, outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things aren’t going well; doesn’t just complain to management… does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first
• Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
• Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together
• Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes

COLLABORATION: Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks, goals, and initiatives. Understands, anticipates, and appropriately responds to internal and/or external customers’ needs.

• Optimism – Is friendly, tirelessly cordial, polite, and genial; comes in to work with a good attitude and doesn’t bring their own personal “little black clouds” into the work environment
• Teamwork – Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn’t expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other’s strong suits
• Honest and Transparent – Doesn’t have hidden agendas, doesn’t play people against each other; is authentic and forthright
• Helpful Nature – Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need; volunteers rather than waiting to be asked; understands that almost no one works in a silo and needs the help of others to do their job well; recognizes that by helping others first, others will likely reciprocate

COMMITMENT TO CULTURE OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: Supports the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrates personal dedication through words and actions.

• Champions – Engages in and advocates for inclusive workplace relationships
• Culturally Self-Aware - Develops skills to recognize one’s own biases and to be sensitive to the perceptions of others. Models appropriate cultural behaviors with others
• Commitment - Collaborates on and contributes to organizational and community diversity and inclusion efforts as opportunities arise.

COMMUNICATION: Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation. Understands how best to present information to different audiences and understands how information may be perceived.

• Shares – Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge; recognizes that “knowledge is power” is less effective than “sharing knowledge is power.” Asks for advice, and considers it thoughtfully
• Is Nice – Asks caring, interested questions and is a good listener -- smiles and is grateful; sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped; avoids gossip or saying negative things about co-workers; patient and generous; makes suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative, sarcastic, and cynical
• Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately – When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers, “pretend your children are watching” how the situation is handled; good manners help keep a cool head; gives credit where credit is due
• Responds Promptly – Recognizes that when emails and phone messages aren’t returned in a timely way, it sends the message that the other party is not important; responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response

DRIVE & GRIT: Is focused on professional excellence and strives to facilitate and support the same for colleagues in and outside their team, effectively manages through challenges and opportunities while seeking to understand and learn from professional experiences.

• Raises the Bar – Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting better
• Resilience – Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily.
• Adaptability – Reads cues and adapt accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts

ENGAGED: Appreciates the values and mission of the organization, works to contribute to the university, and understands how their work affects the university and university community.

• Eager – Enthusiastic, wanting to learn, wanting to continue one’s personal and professional development and expertise
• Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn’t the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed
• Believes – Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization’s mission
• Creative Thinking – Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions

JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL ACUMEN: Makes appropriate decisions and evaluates risk and uncertainty to create ideal outcomes, exhibits an eye for the macro and the micro, and works to ensure others are able to do the same.

• Autonomous – Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track; cleans up after themselves
• Maturity -- Exhibits professional maturity; doesn’t pass the buck to dodge accountability; doesn’t engage in petty office politics or inappropriate social conduct
• Detail-Oriented – Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail work indicates care about the outcomes
• Assumes the Best – Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you don’t know what someone does, it doesn’t mean they’re not doing anything

To apply for this position, visit: https://ecsr.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/10001744/?utm_medium=jobshare

Inquiries should be directed to the search chair, Dr. Rich Milner at rich.milner@vanderbilt.edu.