[Hiring] Managing Director, Assessment & Human Capital @American Institutes for Research

Role Description

AIR’s Employment & Economic Opportunity Program is seeking a Managing Director to grow AIR’s Assessment & Human Capital (AHC) work by:

• Setting strategy, building business, and developing talent.
• Fostering innovation in AI-enabled assessment and workforce strategies.
• Supporting high-quality impactful research, technical assistance, and measurement initiatives.
• Positioning AIR as a national leader in understanding and measuring human capabilities in an AI-enabled world.
• Advancing AIR’s work at the intersection of education and workforce assessments, and AI.

The position will provide leadership across:

• Large-scale K–12 assessment.
• Workforce assessment.
• Skills and competency measurement.
• Related research and technical assistance.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

Responsibilities

• Set Strategic Direction:
  • Set direction and oversee growth, impact, and performance to cultivate a portfolio-approach to building project-based work.
  • Align research, technical assistance, partnerships, talent, operations, and business development to maximize impact and growth.
  • Provide strategic and operational leadership for AIR’s Assessment & Human Capital work.
  • Ensure continued standards of technical quality, rigor, fairness, and relevance in AIR’s established assessment and measurement work.
• AI, Assessment, and Measurement Innovation:
  • Advance AIR's leadership in AI-enabled assessment, measurement, and human performance research.
  • Shape research, standards, and solutions that promote valid, fair, transparent, secure, and trustworthy education and workforce assessments.
  • Lead development of new approaches for measuring AI literacy, human-AI collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, professional judgment, and other competencies.
• Business Development & Market Growth:
  • Build new opportunities, capabilities, and market presence.
  • Develop and execute a growth strategy that expands AIR's leadership in AI, assessment, workforce systems, and human performance.
  • Lead and support business development and capture efforts, including development of a strong pipeline of strategically aligned opportunities.
• Talent, Collaboration, & Operational Excellence:
  • Recruit, develop, and retain senior research, technical, operational, and project leaders.
  • Provide coaching, mentorship, and support to staff and leaders across the organization.
  • Collaborate across AIR to bring together expertise in various fields.
  • Provide leadership and oversight for complex, high-impact projects and project teams.
• External Partnerships & Thought Leadership:
  • Build and maintain relationships with various agencies, organizations, and partners.
  • Develop strategic partnerships that integrate AIR’s expertise with external capabilities.
  • Represent AIR externally through various engagements and thought-leadership activities.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years of experience and a Ph.D. in a relevant field, or a Master’s degree with significant related leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects, including direct leadership of major projects.
• Significant leadership experience in education and workforce assessments, measurement research, or a closely related field.
• Strong knowledge of assessment and measurement, including contemporary issues affecting various assessment types.
• Knowledge of generative AI and emerging AI applications in education and/or workforce assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emerging market trends and translate them into organizational strategy.
• Experience developing or implementing innovative assessment or measurement approaches preferred.

Skills

• Strong strategic leadership and organizational management skills.
• Strong understanding of assessment, measurement, and the implications of AI for education and workforce systems.
• Ability to connect technical and research expertise with client needs and market opportunities.
• Effective written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong business development, client engagement, and relationship management abilities.
• Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams and senior staff.
• Ability to manage multiple strategic and operational priorities in a collaborative environment.
• Commitment to technical rigor, responsible innovation, evidence-based practice, equity, and continuous learning.

Disclosures

• This position is open to U.S. citizens only.
• Upon hire, incumbent will be required to obtain clearance through the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) system.
• American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Benefits

• Anticipated Annual Salary Range: $170,000 — $230,000 USD.