Head of Innovation Research, ETS Research Division - ETS

About ETS:

For more than 75 years, we have amplified products and services based rigorous research and our belief in the power of learning. Driven by our mission to advance quality and equity in education, ETS provides learning solutions, pioneering research and trusted assessments that help guide learners around the world on their path to new possibilities.

Our portfolio of trusted measures include TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE and Praxis. Along with research, development and innovation that explores new frontiers in learning and measurement our educational measurement solutions and research contribute to the development of new methods and tools, inform important dialogue with education policymakers, and shed light on critical issues and potential solutions - all with the aim of creating a world where all learners can improve their lives through education.

With new senior leadership at the helm, ETS aims to continue changing the lives of all learners as we expand our organization's global footprint. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of assessment and measurement efficacy within the education and ed tech space as it continues to grow and evolve.

ETS Research Division is seeking a senior scholar with leadership experience in the intersection of digital learning, assessment and digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and process data to lead ETSs emerging innovation research agenda. The Head of Innovation Research is responsible for overseeing several future-facing research programs that continue ETSs longstanding tradition of thought leadership in the science and practice of measurement and assessment innovation. This Executive will provide overall leadership and direction to a team of world class scientists that are conducting cutting-edge research with the goal of revolutionizing, transforming and redefining the paradigm of assessment and generating actionable policy research and insights. The Head of Innovation Research will provide strategic, tactical, and financial oversight of all functional units within the Innovation Research area of the ETS Research Division.

The goal of Innovation Research at the ETS Research Division is to be the global leader in research that drives the change needed in educational assessment and measurement, and actionable policy research. The ETS innovation research portfolio serves as the basis for how we will transform assessment to maximize the positive impact on and meet the unique needs of individuals equally, equitably, and inclusively. Our research agenda is built around four cross-cutting and interconnected strands: Personalizing Assessment; Innovating Interactive Assessments; Responsible and Ethical AI; and Impacting Policy and Practice.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide visionary leadership, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence to advance research aimed at transforming the field of assessment and advocating for organization's mission. Lead in the creation of new ideas and ground-breaking innovations to support ETSs immediate and long-range goals.

• Oversee a coherent and cogent agenda for the development and execution of interdisciplinary research programs described above which are conducted by ETS scientists who work often in collaboration with researchers at universities and institutions from around the world in disciplines that include statistics, psychometrics, educational research, cognitive science, psycholinguistics, AI, computer science, and public policy.

• Ensure technical quality in the design and implementation of complex programs of research. Provide guidance on, implement policies and procedures to maintain, and model for ETS staff behavior that is consistent with the highest scientific, professional, and ethical standards so as to promote and protect ETSs reputation for quality, integrity, and scientific leadership in educational measurement. Ensure that research programs are conducted to meet those scientific, professional, and ethical standards.

• Participate in discussions on key organization-wide strategic issues and ensure that scientific staff are working effectively with external clients, strategic business units, and ETS functional centers of excellence to inform their work on research and emerging issues.

• Determine policies and priorities that have broad organizational implications for innovations research programs.

• Implement an ongoing process to improve quality and efficiency of research consulting services to ensure the high quality of research products and services.

• Build, mentor, and motivate a world-class scientific team by recruiting for talent and by identifying high potential individuals and providing them with effective development experiences.

• Act as a key ambassador and facilitator of external research relationships, including clients and key client groups such as policy and/or advisory boards, government agencies, foundations, other funding sources, and potential research partner organizations. Present overviews of ETS research programs and capabilities to these various groups.

• Play a strategic role in securing research grant and philanthropic funding by guiding research teams in their external funding strategies, providing input into compelling research proposals, helping develop research partnerships, and ensuring proper stewardship of funding contributions.

• Work directly with the Vice President of Research to establish budget priorities. Direct and administer fiscal, operational, personnel, and policy implementation activities for area of responsibility.

EDUCATION

A doctoral degree in Educational Measurement, Educational Psychology, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing (NLP) or a closely related field is required.

EXPERIENCE

Twelve years of progressively responsible management and professional technical leadership experience in educational research are required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Proven leadership and management skills in leading a large, diverse educational research organization, with a track record of strategic thinking and problem solving.
• Demonstrated expertise and accomplishment in educational measurement and educational policy and research.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. A solid publication record in scholarly research and strong relationships with educational measurement thought leaders.
• Ability to interpret research findings and trends to policymakers, scholars and the media.
• Ability to establish credibility throughout the organization by effectively balancing strategic vision with tactical implementation. Must have the capacity to think creatively about structuring external relationships that maximize the scientific and strategic interests of the organization.
• Broad political and technical understanding of current educational and assessment trends and proven ability to successfully interact with colleagues in the field on substantive issues.
• Track record in securing external funding from federal agencies and foundations.
• Significant experience in successfully managing and meeting operational and research budgets and relevant financial metrics.
• Strong management skills, including the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and lead and motivate professional staff.

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#LI-REMOTE

ETS believes in a Total Rewards philosophy for our employees, and they include:

• Health, Vision, Dental insurance plans to choose from
• Generous continuous learning support, from individual learning grants to up to 6 classes a year for tuition reimbursement as well as on-line learning access!
• Generous PTO and vacation time to balance your work and life
• Additional 8 hours of PTO for volunteer work
• Retirement plan (401(a)) and traditional Roth (403b) with company contribution
• Commuter Benefits, Pet Insurance, 1 year subscription to Calm App

ETS is mission driven and action oriented

• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is at the forefront of the ETS employee's daily work. To further foster an inclusive environment ETS is home to a wide variety of Affinity groups that celebrate the diversity of our talented employees.
• How about cultivating growth, innovation, and continuous transformation for the next generation of rising professionals as leaders? ETS offers multiple Business Resource Groups (BRG) for you!
• Are you passionate about volunteering and being active in your career and community? ETS offers our Center for Advocacy & Philanthropy (CAAP) where we encourage ETS employees to become active volunteers in their communities and schools through the ETS Cares Giving Campaign. Our employees can support any 501c3 or eligible charity of their choice.

ETS is an Equal Opportunity Employer comprised of people with different experiences, strengths, and backgrounds who share a passion for advancing quality and equity in education. We are dedicated to building teams that reflect the various backgrounds, experiences, and identities of those we serve. The Talent Acquisition team strives to ensure candidates enjoy a fair and equitable hiring process. We believe our differences empower us to be a better team, making better decisions and delivering better results.