Director - Research & Education

POSITION TITLE: Director, Future Programs and Research & Education (R&E)

DEPARTMENT: Education

REPORTS TO: Executive Director - SWFT

COMPENSATION: $120,000 - $130,000

Job Summary

The Director of Future Programs and Research & Education (R&E) will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the organization's programs and initiatives in STEM workforce development, teacher development, and educational innovation. This position requires a forward-thinking leader who can identify emerging trends, develop data-driven strategies, and build strong partnerships across industry, academia, and key stakeholders to ensure the organization's programs remain relevant and impactful. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership to drive long-term goals, deliver insights through market analysis, and build future-focused programs that support students, educators, and workforce development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop and implement strategies for future programs aligned with the organization's mission and long-term goals.
• Provide the Executive Director and senior leadership with strategic insights and guidance for organizational growth and program development.
• Drive the evolution of STEM workforce development and teacher workforce development programs based on current trends, emerging technologies, and educational needs.
• Recommend strategic plans and initiatives for certifications and badging programs aimed at enhancing the qualifications and skills of both students and teachers.
• Research the intersection of the aerospace industry, workforce development, and university training of educators, in order to inform executive leadership of the needs for future programs.

Market Analysis & Trend Monitoring

• Conduct thorough market analysis to identify current trends in STEM education, workforce needs, and certifications/badging initiatives, including trends in industry needs, education technologies, and policy.
• Prepare detailed reports based on data-driven insights to inform program development and to keep leadership updated on relevant industry trends.
• Evaluate potential data points that relate to all teacher space programs across multiple private and governmental organizations.
• Monitor national and international trends in STEM workforce development, including changes in policy, technology advancements, and emerging skills gaps.

External Partnerships & Relationship Building

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in industry and academia to support the development and sustainability of future programs.
• Identify and engage potential partners for collaborative efforts, joint ventures, and funding opportunities that align with the organization's strategic objectives.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, events, and forums to enhance visibility and foster collaboration with academic institutions, corporate partners, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborates with universities and state departments of education to research and design teacher professional development certifications.

Program Development & Evaluation

• Recommend the development of new programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the STEM pipeline, including curriculum development, teacher training, and certifications/badging programs.
• Work closely with academic and industry partners to design and implement programs that align with workforce needs and educational standards.
• Collaborate with customer success team to evaluate existing programs, ensuring they remain effective, relevant, and impactful in preparing students and educators for future opportunities.

Reporting & Analysis

• Utilize research based predictive models to evaluate educational programming.
• Prepare and present regular reports on market trends, program performance, and partnership activities to the Executive Director and other senior leaders.
• Provide actionable recommendations based on market insights, research, and feedback to improve program offerings and strategic direction.
• Gathers national and in some cases, international, information to determine potential educational program alignments.
• Collects and analyzes data on demographics, demand signals, and workforce development needs to identify potential future programs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate across departments to ensure alignment of strategic initiatives.

• May perform other duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES:

• This environment is dynamic and can shift quickly based on agreements made by leadership and sales. The candidate must be adaptable and able to identify opportunities in an environment with dynamic schedules and deadlines.
• Strong time management skills. Organized and effective in managing multiple competing priorities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Comfortable and effective in presenting information to a diverse audience including top management, media, corporate partners, and in public forums while positively representing Space Foundation.
• Ability to effectively delegate and make decisions in a high-paced environment.
• Firm understanding of university-level teacher credentialing requirements at the state and national level.
• Possesses a thorough understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards and 21st Century Essential skills and can implement them into curriculum development.
• Familiarity with project management methodology.
• Ability to analyze data and create strategies for continued improvement.
• Efficient at using Microsoft Office Suite programs and other educational technology.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in educational leadership, curriculum development, or equivalent required. Doctorate in Educational Leadership or equivalent preferred.
• Classroom teaching experience in K-12 or college-level settings required.
• Experience leading teacher professional development programs required.
• Educational leadership experience required; university-level experience preferred.
• Familiarity with international educational institutions preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Individuals in this position will generally work indoors and will have a workspace designated solely for them. Necessary office furnishings, equipment, and supplies will be provided by the Foundation. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may periodically be required to work outdoors and would be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The employee may periodically be required to work in an offsite environment or at special events, and from time to time may be asked to travel on Foundation business, at the Foundation's expense. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

JOB STATUS:

1) FLSA Classification: This position is exempt according to guidelines of the Fair Labor Standards Act and, as such, an individual in this position is not eligible to receive overtime pay.

2) Full- or Part-Time: This position is full-time in nature. An individual in this position will regularly work a schedule consisting of 40+ hours per week.

3) Work Location: This position's primary worksite is the headquarters location in Colorado Springs, CO. The nature and responsibilities of this position are such that it is eligible for alternative worksite arrangements, such as working from home or telecommuting, on a consistent or recurring basis. Space Foundation's current hybrid policy allows for up to two work from home days per week.

4) Regular Schedule: Usual business days are Monday through Friday, holidays excepted, and usual business hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in the time zone in which the position is located. The nature and responsibilities of this position are such that Saturdays and evening events may be required to fulfill programmatic obligations.