[Hiring] Program Executive Director @Aerdf

Role Description

AERDF is hiring an Executive Director to lead its next program on Neuroscience and the Future of Learning. This program vision has been collaboratively designed through a fellowship process with leaders in education and neuroscience.

• Lead an Advanced Inclusive R&D program on neuroscience and the future of learning.
• Focus on unlocking dramatic impact for priority populations (PreK-12 students who are Black, Latino, or experiencing poverty).
• Execute the program map’s three key moves:
  • Make the Invisible Visible: Direct investments in multimodal measurement infrastructure.
  • Make the Visible Actionable: Steward translation mechanisms such as spark grants and public narrative campaigns.
  • Make the Actionable Impactful: Build shared social and technical infrastructure.
• Narrow the focus of the program map to lead and execute a 4-year R&D program.
• In the first year, the Program Executive Director is expected to:
  • Refine the program map into specific testable hypotheses.
  • Develop milestones and timelines for the program.
  • Launch initial funding opportunities.
  • Establish education, research, and development partnerships.
  • Direct funding and manage an Advanced Inclusive R&D portfolio.
  • Build on and advance a vision, set goals and metrics, and assemble a team.
  • Develop and use shared measurement and learning infrastructure.
  • Continuously refine learning and steward the R&D process.
  • Develop and manage a multi-million dollar budget.
  • Hire and manage a nimble team to execute on program goals.
  • Drive to a convincing demonstration of the program’s breakthrough goal.
• Create a cross-sector community to participate in the R&D.
• Define and enact an approach to diversity and inclusion.
• Serve as a visible culture carrier, reinforcing AERDF’s values.

Qualifications

• Expertise in neuroscience research.
• Experience in translating research into education or youth development.
• Collaboration experience with high poverty communities and/or Black or Latino communities.
• Experience with research and development in any sector.
• Experience managing large budgets and people.

Requirements

• Exceptional candidates may come from research, philanthropy, industry, or adjacent sectors.
• Experience with or understanding of neuroimaging techniques.
• Experience translating research into practical applications for education or youth development.
• Knowledgeable about educational neuroscience or related fields.
• Rigorous and evidence-based in setting, measuring, and evaluating metrics.
• Track record of engaging students, teachers, and communities as co-designers.
• Established leadership with a track record of building ambitious programs.
• Effective people and resource manager.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including base salary and comprehensive benefits.
• Remote and flexible work environment.
• Base salary range for this role is $212,000 - $362,000.

Company Description

AERDF (Advanced Education Research & Development Fund) is a national nonprofit organization launched in 2021 that advances scientific discovery & inventions that further learners’ brilliance and transform their PreK-12 futures.