Manager, Research (On-Ramps & Certificates)

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.

The Manager, Research is responsible for strengthening WGU’s research (in On-Ramps and Certificate programs) and developing and managing a team of 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, under represented populations. Research projects will cover a range of topics, including faculty engagement and interventions, curriculum, academic supports, 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 also have strong research science experience and expertise in conducting qualitative and experimental studies, serving as leaders and doers. They will have a desire to collaborate with other institutions and researchers and 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 Research in On-Ramps and Certificates
• Responsible for the hiring, training, and development of research scientists
• Provide technical guidance on research methods and analytical tool sets
• Conduct qualitative and experimental studies to test critical research hypotheses in WGU On-Ramp and Certificate programs, with strong ownership over the full research lifecycle
• Establish processes to manage research projects, and to communicate actionable insights to internal and external stakeholders
• Represent WGU by presenting at relevant conferences.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

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 team of research scientists of varying levels
• 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 and secondary 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.
• Ability to be a subject matter expert and provide thought leadership in the field.
• Ability to thrive 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

Competencies: 

Organizational Impact: 

• Plans and establishes goals and objectives for employees in job area, with direct impact on the immediate, or short-term results of the department, function, or office. 
• Typically, does not have budget accountability but may manage day-to-day elements of the budget and assist in compiling data to prepare annual budgets.  

Problem Solving and Decision Making: 

• Identifies, recommends, and implements ways to improve services and/or job area efficiency. 
• Responsible for input to and application of job area policies. 
• Problems and issues faced are general, task-oriented, and may be solved by referencing precedents and policies, and may require understanding of a broader set of jobs/issues. 

Communication and Influence: 

• Communicates within the job area to direct reports, and collaborates with other supervisors, and managers, mainly on job area-specific issues. 
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively with staff and leadership. 
• Explains policies, practices and procedures of the job area to others within the University. May work cross-functionally to justify and gain cooperation of other parties on practices, policies, and procedures. 

Leadership and Talent Management: 

• Supervises a team consisting of support employees. Coordinates, supervises, and reviews the work of team members. Guides and provides on-the-job training to direct reports. Monitors performance, coaches employees, and helps draft performance reviews with input from the manager. May recommend hiring, firing, promotion, performance, and rewards decisions. 
• Will be expected to retain technical knowledge of the day-to-day work of the supervisee

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related research field (e.g., Education, Psychology, Learning Science) or analytics discipline (e.g., Data Science, Economics, etc.)
• 5 years experience in related research fields in the field of education or other human systems using data science, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, and qualitative research
• Willingness to relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in a related research field (e.g., Education, Psychology, Learning Science) or analytics discipline (e.g., Data Science, Economics, etc.)
• Prior leadership and management experience
• Broad knowledge of project management.
• Prior experience in educational technology or related field

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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, 11/11/2024

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.