Research Director, Principal Researcher

At PowerSchool, we are a dedicated team of innovators guided by our shared purpose of powering personalized education for students around the world. From the central office to the classroom to the home, PowerSchool supports the entire educational ecosystem as the global leader of cloud-based software for K-12 education. Our employees make it all possible, and a career with us means you’re joining a successful team committed to engaging, empowering, and improving the K-12 education experience everywhere.

Speciality Overview

Housed within PowerSchool's Education Strategy division, the Policy Engagement & Education Research (PEER) Center is dedicated to transforming education through data-driven insights and innovative technology solutions. The PEER Center specializes in using statisticaland data science methods to conduct K-12 education systems research and to lead strategic impact projects and policy consultations for education agencies. The PEER Center also works on select projects to bridge the gap between research and education technology by coordinating third-party efficacy studies of PowerSchool products and supporting development of research-driven tools. Previous and current projects include partnership on two research studies on K-12 special education spending (one at the state level and one at the federal level), resource audits for multiple districts around the country, and spearheading the development of ImplementforImpact.org. 

The Principal Researcher or Research Director works under the minimal supervision of an Education Strategy Sr. Director. In this capacity, they lead complex K-12 education research and consultancy projects, driving the design, execution, and dissemination of studies and consultancy projects that inform educational practice and policy. This role is responsible for setting the strategic research agenda, assuring methodological rigor, and leveraging advanced data analysis to produce actionable insights. The Principal Researcher or ResearchDirector provides technical and thought leadership to a multidisciplinary team, fosters strong stakeholder relationships, and champions the use of evidence and data in decision-making internally and externally. On a team that has historically focused on finance and administrative- and system-level K-12 topics, this leader combines deep education sector knowledge with expertise in statistical methods and data science to deliver high-impact research outcomes. This role also manages project budgets and ensures compliance with funding agencies, ethical and legal standards, and company policies and operational standards.

Description

As a leader of this newly established team, the Principal Researcher or Research Director role presents the opportunity to be entrepreneurial in defining the vision and direction of the PEER Center, including identifying best-fit areas of high-impact, carving out future pipeline, and furthering the team’s reputation as a trusted partner in the research and consultancy space. Additionally, the PEER Center’s position at a leading education technology company offers a non-traditional research environment that uniquely affords flexibility and variety in the type of work the team takes on, organizational structure, and theory of impact. It may also provide select opportunities to partner with leaders on the broader Education Strategy team or across the PowerSchool ecosystem on to ensure the organization and its products are meeting the needs of the schools and education agencies it serves.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The Director Research or Principal Researcher will lead the design and execution of complex research projects and initiatives. In that role, they will conduct focus on these key areas:

• Project Leadership & Research Design: Lead the design and execution of complex research projects on K-12 education topics, from initial concept and research questions through final deliverables. In partnership with the team, develop detailed project work plans, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches that align with organizational goals. Ensure rigorous study design, including appropriate sampling, checks for data quality, bias, and limitations. Make high-stakes decisions on project direction and adjust strategies as needed to achieve research objectives. Work with Project Manager to identify project staffing, task delegation, timeline management, and multi-project coordination.
• Compliance & Budget Management: Manage project budgets, vendor relationships, and purchasing functions and related contractual agreements. Work with Project Manager to monitor and regularly report on project resources and operations, including hours, revenue, deliverables, and contracts. Ensure compliance with PowerSchool’s financial and operations policies, funding agencies, sponsors, ethical and legal standards, and data privacy.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and manage strong relationships with clients, partners, and K-12 education stakeholders (such as school district officials, state education agencies, and educators) tounderstand client needs, ensure client satisfaction, and develop business pipeline.
• Communications & Reporting: Lead and oversee the team’s communication of complex analyses into clear findings and recommendations through meetings, presentations, high-quality research reports, white papers, and executive summaries that inform decision-makers. Ensure that all effectively communicate the methodology, results, and implications of the research. Champion the publication of findings where appropriate (e.g., industry reports or academic journals) and the sharing of insightsinternally and with the wider education and research community.
• Strategic Leadership & Growth: Play a key role in shaping the long-term research strategy and identifying new opportunities. Evaluate emerging K-12 education trends and policy issues to propose research initiatives that will position the organization as a thought leader. Contribute to business development by supporting grant proposals, RFP responses, and other funding opportunities. Work closely with senior leadership to align research projects with product development and organizational goals. Act as an internal advocate for research, building data-driven communities and knowledge sharing.
• Team Management & Mentorship: Mentor multidisciplinary team of researchers/data scientists and other staff by providing feedback on project content, methodological decisions, analysis techniques, and code. Work cross-functionally with project contributors from different PowerSchool teams—including developers, data engineers, designers, copyeditors, etc.—to execute projects.  

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Education, Education Policy, Education Leadership, Sociology, Computational Social Science, Statistics, Data Science) (or equivalent combination of advanced degree and experience) strongly preferred. 
• Extensive experience in designing and conducting research studies and/or consultancy projects from start to finish using rigorous quantitative research methods.
• 5 years of progressive experience executing and leading research or consultancy projects in the K-12 education domain
• Deep knowledge of and demonstrated experience with K-12 education topics and data. Specialization in K-12 school finance and/or administrative- or systems-level areas (e.g., school-, district-, state-, or federal-level level policies or student performance) preferred.
• A passion for using data and data analysis/science methods to address social science questions, especially with an eye towards improve the K-12 education landscape for students and educators 
• Experience in grant and RFP writing a plus 
• Experience building or implementing educational products a plus
• Experience working in a school or education agency, especially in a leadership position, a plus

Skills and Abilities 

• Advanced knowledge of statistical methodologies (e.g., linear and logistic regression, hierarchical linear modeling, time-series analysis, etc.), experimental or quasi-experimental designs (e.g., regression discontinuity, difference-in-differences, etc.) and when to apply them
• Familiarity with data science concepts and machine learning techniques (supervised learning, unsupervised learning, optimization, natural language processing) strongly preferred
• Strong attention to detail, ability to independently problem-solve, a self-starter attitude, a high-quality results-oriented mindset, and a desire to continue to learn and develop quantitative/technical skills  
• Fluency in statistical software and/or programming languages, such as R (preferred), Python (preferred), SQL, or Stata. If not already familiar, a desire and ability to learn R or Python is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with version control software (GitHub preferred) and best practices
• Proficiency with project/task management software (Jira a plus)
• Translate technical and academic information quickly and accurately to diverse audiences
• Keep current with education research outputs and methodological techniques in academia and industry 

Compensation & Benefits

PowerSchool offers the following benefits:

• Comprehensive Insurance Coverage (including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pharmacy benefits, Life Insurance and AD&D)


• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts


• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability


• Comprehensive 401(k) plan


• Generous Parental Leave


• Unrestricted paid time off (known as Discretionary Time Off - DTO)


• Wellness Program, including ClassPass & Employee Assistance Program


• Tuition Reimbursement


• Optional Benefits: Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Student Debt Repayment Program and Prepaid Legal coverage

A reasonable estimate of the base compensation range for this position is $142,700 - $192,500 USD. This compensation range is specific to the United States and it incorporates many factors including but not limited to an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience and training; licensures, degrees, and certifications; specific geographic location; internal equity; internal pay ranges; and market data/range parameters.

EEO Commitment

PowerSchool is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. PowerSchool is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers PowerSchoolers to deliver the best results for our customers. We not only celebrate the diversity of our workforce, we celebrate the diverse ways we work. If you have a disability and need an accommodation regarding our recruiting process, please let us know by emailing accommodations@powerschool.com.