Manager, Research

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

Current WGU employees should submit an internal application before 9/27/2024 to be considered.

The Manager, Research is responsible for managing WGU’s research and developing and managing a team of data scientists and research scientists. The goal is to produce actionable research that will allow WGU to better individualize the student experience to improve key student outcomes across diverse unrepresented populations. Research projects will cover a range of topics, including faculty engagement and interventions, curriculum, academic support, financial aid, admissions, and other administrative and academic processes and supports.

Successful candidates will have experience in managing a team of researchers and complex research with expertise in learning science, behavioral science and education psychology. They will have a desire to collaborate with other institutions and researchers and to communicate insights to senior WGU leadership and external stakeholders. The research team works on critical WGU research and analytics projects to optimize key student outcomes, including equitable access & attainment among diverse learner populations, on-time graduation rates, student return on investment, and other metrics

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Oversee WGU’s Faculty Data Analytics

• Responsible for the hiring, training, and development of data scientists and research scientists focused on Faculty Data Analytics

• Provide technical guidance on research methods and analytical tool sets

• Establish processes to manage research projects and to codify and communicate results and insights to internal stakeholders

• Collaborate with all appropriate internal and external stakeholders.

• Represent WGU by presenting at relevant conferences.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities

• Deep knowledge of a field such as learning science, behavioral science, behavioral economics, education psychology, or related field.

• Ability to manage a team of research scientists and data scientists

• Project management skills

• Expert ability to independently define and conduct original scientific research.

• Data manipulation using programming languages like SQL and Python.

• Data visualization skills using tools like Python and Tableau.

• Deep experience with qualitative and quantitative primary research methods.

• Proven ability to lead research projects, including cost, resource, schedule management, compliance, and reporting.

• Excellent written, oral, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

• Exceptional ability to communicate research results and key ideas to lay and scholarly audiences.

• The ability to be a subject matter expert to provide thought leadership in the field.

• Thrives by working collaboratively and creatively in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong attention to detail and exemplifies pride and ownership over the quality of our learning experience.

• Ability to foster strong relationships within the team and external stakeholders

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related research field (e.g., Education, Psychology) or analytics discipline (e.g., Data Science, Economics, etc.).

• 5 years experience in related research fields in the field of education or other human system using data science, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and qualitative research

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in a related research field (e.g. Education, Psychology) or analytics discipline (e.g. Data Science; Economics, etc)

#LI-ZARD

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

Pay Range: $97,300.00 - $175,200.00

WGU will accept applications for this position until 12:00 AM ET, 09/30/2024

How to apply: apply online

Full-time Regular Positions (FT classification, standard working hours = 40)

This is a full-time, regular position that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

The University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.