ABOUT US

*This is an internal position that will only accept applications from current employees and temporary workers*

Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 900 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application.

If you are an experienced Data Science leader and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Director of Data Science, Research, and Analytics.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Data Science, Research, and Analytics leads a small team of data scientists and oversees the research agenda and products that support Common App’s commitment to access and equity. The Director sets goals for Common App’s research agenda, identifies and conducts innovative research in support of the organization’s strategic initiatives, and strengthens Common App’s position as a thought leader by representing the organization externally.

Reporting to the Vice President of Data Research and Analytics, the Director of Data Science, Research will execute, evaluate, and continuously improve the production of research briefs and of research output from research collaborations. The Director will develop and continuously improve the protocols and processes for engaging with internal stakeholders to capitalize on opportunities and manage the risks associated with external research partnerships. The Director is responsible for making recommendations to the VP of Data Analytics and Research and CEO on approving and concluding external research partnerships. The Director will also be accountable for collaboratively setting strategic direction and annual planning for the research function within the Data Analytics and Research Division.

The Director will collaborate with other staff and stakeholders, in executing innovative, rigorous, timely, impactful research products that serve the organization’s functional areas. This will require leadership in study design, methodology, and evaluation, as well as expertise in contextualizing findings within the broader literature base.

QUALIFICATIONS

This role requires:

• Candidates must live in the United States.
• Master’s degree in economics, statistics, public policy, or another quantitative field.
• 8-10 years of experience working in data science, research, and analytics, particularly in education.
• Specialized coursework in causal inference, research design and methodology, and program evaluation.
• Specialized coursework or background in issues of federal, state, and local education policy.
• Ability to conduct high-quality research that supports the organizational mission of increasing access and equity in college admissions.
• Ability to set, manage, and attain ambitious, measurable departmental goals.
• Ability to create a culture that elevates engagement levels and empowers team members to produce radically improved outcomes.
• Ability to mentor team members / direct reports.
• Ability to be an effective ambassador for the organization’s mission and values.
• Ability to prioritize among various competing priorities, both strategic and operational, in a fast-paced working environment.
• Ability to utilize servant-leadership, among other leadership styles, to ensure the well-being of team members.
• Ability to identify areas of opportunity and continuously improve one’s skills.
• Proficiency in building and executing strategic plans (research agenda, publication plans, etc).
• Proficiency in summarizing salient higher education research topics that relate to admissions and access.
• Proficiency in presenting, writing about, and discussing complex analytical topics and findings in accessible terms for diverse stakeholder groups.
• Advanced training in data querying, management, wrangling, analysis, and visualization.
• Advanced training in statistics, econometrics, causal inference, and program evaluation.
• Proficiency in supervised machine learning methods (classification, regression for predictive analytics).
• Proficiency in languages used for database querying of big data (SQL, mySQL, PostGreSQL).
• Proficiency in R or Python.
• Proficiency in collaboration and version control software (GitHub, Git).
• Proficiency in Tableau for developing dashboards for internal colleagues.
• Proficiency in AWS RedShift and Athena.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• PhD or progress toward a doctoral degree is a plus.
• Proficiency in S3 and Sagemaker
• A passion for higher education is a plus.

Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:

• Paid time off
  • Vacation Leave (starting at 10 days per year)
  • Sick Leave (15 days per year)
  • Paid Holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day)
  • Floating Holidays (9 days to be used at employee’s discretion)
• Healthcare
  • Medical (2 plan options with Cigna including an option for 100% employee coverage)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) with annual employer contribution starting at $1,500 or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), depending on plan election
  • Dental (plan with MetLife offering 100% employee coverage)
  • Vision benefits (plan with Cigna offering 100% employee coverage)
  • Short + Long Term Disability (100% employer paid)
  • Life + AD&D (100% employer paid)
  • Additional Voluntary Life + AD&D insurance available
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Added compensation
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan with 5% employer contribution + additional 5% employer match
  • Stipends (virtual office set up and monthly remote work support)
• Future growth opportunities within the organization

We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.

HOW DO I APPLY

To apply for this opportunity, send your resume and cover letter with salary expectations.