EdPolicyWorks Managing Director

The Ed Policy Works  (EPW) Center at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking a Managing Director to play a central role in advancing EPW’s research mission through research translation, external engagement, grant strategy, alongside a smaller portfolio of operational continuity responsibilities. EPW is a joint collaboration between the UVA School of Education and Human Development (EHD) and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy (Batten).

EPW seeks to bring together faculty from across UVA to focus on important questions of educational policy. This position is available for in‑person work only and would start around August 2026. This is a salaried position with full UVA benefits.

The Managing Director will oversee and coordinate day‑to‑day Center operations, toward the ultimate goal of sustaining a thriving intellectual community where affiliated faculty and their research teams conduct high‑quality, impactful education‑policy research. The position’s responsibilities will be distributed approximately as follows: 40% strategic, policy‑facing, program administration; 40% research translation and external engagement; 20% operational continuity responsibilities. Typical responsibilities may include:

• Research Translation & Strategic Communications
  • Synthesize empirical findings for policymakers, funders, and practitioners
  • Contribute to briefs, reports, and multi‑platform dissemination strategies
  • Interpret empirical findings for non‑academic audiences
  • Shape messaging that accurately conveys the policy relevance of EPW’s work
• Center‑Level Strategy and Portfolio Planning
  • Help identify research priorities
  • Assess alignment between emerging projects and state/federal policy needs
  • Advise on dissemination pathways and partnership opportunities
• External Representation and Relationship Management
  • Coordinate with director to represent EPW to state and district education agencies
  • Engage national nonprofits, research organizations, and policy intermediaries
  • Serve as a liaison within multi‑institution partnerships
• Policy Landscape Monitoring and Strategic Positioning
  • Track state and federal education policy developments
  • Advise on implications for EPW’s research opportunities and partnerships
  • Support EPW’s identity as a policy‑relevant contributor in Virginia and nationally
• Grant Development and Funder Relations
  • Participate in developing grant narratives and framing research relevance
  • Participate in aligning proposals with funder priorities and evidence standards
  • Support planning for EPW’s long‑term sustainability
• Operational Responsibilities
  • Coordinate hiring logistics and onboarding workflows
  • Oversee HR processes in collaboration with School of Education and Human Development and Batten HR partners (the role coordinates with HR professionals but does not serve as an HR specialist)
  • Event coordination for research‑sharing activities and the EPW speaker series including logistics such as travel arrangements, vendor coordination, and execution of occasional center events (e.g., annual gatherings)
  • Organize center communications (listservs, newsletters, website updates)
  • Track operational milestones and support director‑led action items
  • Space management, facilities coordination, and IT liaison work
  • Review expenditures and support routine financial administrative tasks in coordination with the EPW Financial Administrator

Education:

Master's degree required;
Bachelor's degree plus combination of education/certification/experience may be considered in lieu of Master's degree as specified by position.

Experience:

2+ years of relevant experience required.

Ph.D. in education policy or a related field.

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs.

The anticipated hiring range is $75,000–$83,000, commensurate with education and experience.

This is an exempt‑level, benefited position.

This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability. This position has a term limit…