Project Director, AI Century Study

Accountabilities: As a Project Director, you will lead the strategic direction, execution, and ongoing evolution of a complex longitudinal research program. You will serve as both scientific steward and organizational leader, ensuring the study maintains high standards of research quality while creating meaningful insights for diverse audiences.

• Contribute to the strategic vision and long-term direction of a large-scale AI-focused research initiative.
• Provide intellectual leadership on research questions, study design, methodologies, and future evolution of the program.
• Integrate qualitative, quantitative, longitudinal, and design-informed research approaches to support impactful findings.
• Lead the full research lifecycle, including data collection strategies, governance, ethics, privacy, security, and quality assurance.
• Ensure research processes are rigorous, transparent, reproducible, and continuously improved through adaptive learning.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with funders, academic institutions, government organizations, school systems, technology stakeholders, and other collaborators.
• Serve as a key relationship manager for external partners and funding stakeholders.
• Lead collaborative research activities, including workshops, listening sessions, convenings, and co-design initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to expand the reach, sustainability, and influence of the study through partnerships and aligned initiatives.
• Develop and support dissemination strategies, including reports, briefs, presentations, public-facing materials, and knowledge-sharing activities.
• Represent the study in professional communities, public forums, and other thought leadership opportunities.
• Translate complex research findings into clear and actionable insights for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of researchers, analysts, designers, and communication professionals.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture focused on curiosity, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Coordinate across internal teams and technical disciplines to maximize expertise and ensure alignment.

Requirements

The ideal candidate is an accomplished research leader with experience managing complex, multi-year initiatives and building partnerships across sectors. You should have strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to translate emerging technology research into meaningful insights for society.

• PhD with at least 7 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with at least 11 years of relevant experience in areas such as human development, health, workforce development, education, learning sciences, social science research, evaluation, technology policy, data science, or AI-enabled systems.
• Proven experience directing large-scale, multi-year research, evaluation, or learning initiatives, including study design, implementation, and long-term program evolution.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing or contributing to complex research initiatives, partnerships, or portfolios involving multiple organizations or sectors.
• Demonstrated success developing and sustaining cross-sector partnerships supporting long-term research and learning goals.
• Professional reputation and network within fields related to AI, human development, education, technology, or social research.
• Experience translating research evidence into policy- or practice-oriented insights for diverse audiences.
• Experience with longitudinal, cohort-based, or life-course research studies.
• Background working across domains such as human development, health, education, workforce, and technology.
• Experience exploring the intersection of AI and human development through human-centered research approaches.
• Strong systems-thinking abilities with the capacity to connect research, technology, policy, and human experiences.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to make complex findings understandable and actionable.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, including mentoring interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and adapt within evolving research environments.
• Intellectual curiosity around the question of how AI changes the human condition.
• Ability to engage effectively with technical experts, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and the public.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary range of approximately $165,000–$200,000 USD, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.
• Comprehensive employee benefits package supporting health and well-being.
• Retirement savings benefits and financial wellness programs.
• Flexible remote work options within the United States.
• Opportunities to contribute to a nationally significant research initiative with long-term societal impact.
• Professional growth opportunities through collaboration with leading researchers and multidisciplinary experts.
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment focused on improving lives through evidence and innovation.
• Opportunities to participate in thought leadership and influence future discussions around AI and society.

How Jobgether works: We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best! Why Apply Through Jobgether?

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