The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to building a more equitable and just society through higher education. Through research, advocacy, policy development, and field engagement, IHEP drives systemic change in higher education to advance equitable outcomes and generational impact for communities historically marginalized on the basis of race, ethnicity or income.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
IHEP seeks a Vice President (VP) of Research to join its leadership team, lead the research team, and serve as a key spokesperson for the organization. This position is being created as a result of a restructuring of IHEP’s research and policy team, which is currently led by the VP of Research and Policy. Once the VP of Research joins the organization, our VP of Research and Policy will transition to a VP of Policy role to focus more squarely on policy development and lead a separate policy team. These two VPs will collaborate closely with each other and the VP of Communications and Government Affairs to oversee a diverse portfolio of IHEP research, policy, and advocacy projects that advance IHEP’s mission and policy priorities.
Although IHEP is headquartered in Washington, D.C., we operate fully remotely on a day-to-day basis. We come together, in-person in D.C., for one week three to four times a year to connect, build cohesion, and bond as a full staff. We welcome remote applicants for this position with the understanding that this role will require some in-person attendance at meetings in the D.C. area, in addition to some national travel.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Organizational Leadership
- As a member of the leadership team, the VP will contribute to leadership discussions through creative, nimble, and open-minded thought partnership and problem-solving to address organization-wide topics such as staffing, business models, fundraising, priority-setting, and strategic positioning on higher education issues.
- Create a sense of community, collaboration, transparency, and candor that fosters equity, inclusion, diversity, goodwill, and professional growth among all colleagues.
- Grow and diversify funding by collaborating with IHEP leadership, building and managing relationships with funders, conceptualizing project ideas, and securing funding.
- Contribute to IHEP’s organizational and strategic planning, including informing the annual budget process, Board engagement, strategic policy priorities, and annual goals.
Research Team Leadership
- Develop, refine, and implement a cohesive research agenda to inform and advance IHEP’s strategic policy priorities.
- Oversee research team projects, which includes leading, managing, and ensuring high quality of quantitative and qualitative research studies of policy- and practice-relevant postsecondary education issues, including overseeing literature and policy scans, research designs, data analyses, interpretation of results, and design of policy recommendations. Research team projects also often involve engaging institutional and state practitioners to both inform and learn from the research.
- Collaborate closely with the Vice President of Policy and the Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs to ensure alignment between research, policy, and advocacy efforts and cohesion between the research, policy, and ommunications/government affairs teams.
- Bring a mindset of inclusivity, collaboration, and high standards to lead a team with varying levels of experience.
- Mentor the research team managers as they continue building leadership and management skills.
- Oversee writing of reports, briefs, concept papers, PowerPoint presentations, memos, and other content to disseminate research to key audiences.
Ambassadorship
- Serve as a key public spokesperson representing IHEP’s mission, research, and policy objectives, speaking to IHEP’s priorities with the media, policymakers, and other audiences.
- Serve as an ambassador and deepen IHEP’s relationships with partnering organizations, funders, policymakers, practitioners, and other key stakeholders through close collaboration with the IHEP President, Vice President of Policy, and Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs.
- Stay abreast of rapidly evolving postsecondary education issues within higher education research and policy communities, in the media, among federal and state policymakers, and be prepared to respond to time-sensitive requests from media and policymakers.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCES, and SKILLS:
IHEP seeks a leader who is passionate about higher education as a vehicle for social mobility and racial justice; committed to data, rigor, and evidence-driven reform; and knowledgeable about higher education policy and research. An ideal candidate will have at least ten years of work experience building and proving a combination of the following qualifications, experiences, and skills:
- Strong analytic, critical and strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Experience managing a diverse team of people in ways that both contribute to the larger organizational good and promote each individual’s professional growth.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow through and push projects to completion amidst competing responsibilities.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, and remain flexible and adaptable, as well as strong interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to building and maintaining a healthy, respectful, and inclusive organizational culture that prioritizes outcomes through the application of diversity and equity.
- Knowledge of and passion for issues related to racial and socioeconomic equity, postsecondary data and transparency, college affordability, college access and completion, and/or college value.
- Knowledge of and experience with quantitative and qualitative research in a policy environment.
- Excellent verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills, especially for describing complex subject matter in clear and concise ways.
- Track record of securing funding and working with foundations, especially those focused on higher education research and policy.
- Self-motivated and eager contributor to a team who shares in the accolades of successes.
- Desire to continuously improve skills and develop professionally.
WORKING at IHEP:
IHEP recognizes that a talented and justice-focused, diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce benefits individuals, partners, and IHEP as a whole. We recognize that all employees bring their own capabilities, experiences, and characteristics to their work. At IHEP, diversity encompasses differences including, but not limited to, those of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age, religion, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family responsibilities, experience, and education. The wide array of perspectives that results from such diversity promotes innovation and business success, further supporting the organization’s mission.
IHEP values a healthy work-life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package with generous paid time off; health, dental, vision benefits; 401K matching; life and disability insurance; flexible work arrangements; and other benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. The starting salary range for the position is $160,000-190,000.
IHEP is not able to sponsor work permits. Therefore, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should apply through this site by submitting a cover letter and resume.
The Institute for Higher Education Policy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity in all facets of the organization’s work.
IHEP participates in E-Verify and confirms all employees are authorized to work in the United States through a Form I-9. For more about your right to work, see this information from the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section of the Department of Justice.
