Leadership Development and Research Project Director

Position Overview The University of Kansas Life Span Institute, SWIFT Education Center, is seeking applicants who will work in collaboration with Center staff and participate as a skilled contributor to the mission of the Center. The department is seeking one full-time hire and two part-times hires. Successful applicants need to have extensive experience with presentation development, adult learner needs, coaching, and providing technical assistance related to equity-based multi-tiered systems of support within inclusive K-12 public education.

The University of Kansas is especially interested in individuals who can accomplish broad responsibilities around (a) leadership development, (b) technical assistance and executive coaching for state, regional, district or building leaders, (c) professional learning, (d) research and evaluation, and (e) planning and logistics for assigned projects both in person and virtually.

This position will oversee, develop, and direct aspects of academic and/or research projects including progress, strategic planning, and direction; support monitoring project budgets and expenses; expand and develop networks to identify collaborative opportunities, and plan for and manage day-to-day operations. This position formulates, develops and executes meaningful measures for program performance, program reporting, work plan, compliance, and annual reports. May co-author scientific papers for presentation and publication and support writing, submission, and administration of grants.

Work is performed under the supervision of the SWIFT Associate Director of Partner Engagement & Systems Design.

The successful candidates must be available to work remotely and to travel nationally 50% of the time. Preference will be given to individuals with significant experience working with diverse populations and with extensive knowledge regarding issues of equity and social justice within the education system, and who have experience working in large urban areas.

Due to complex state employment laws, the University of Kansas may be unable to hire fully remote workers for this position outside of Kansas. Specifically, we cannot currently offer employment to candidates residing in the following states: California and Delaware. We appreciate your understanding and invite interested individuals from eligible states to apply.

Job Description

• 30% Contribute to the design and provision of leadership development and executive coaching at the state, regional, or district level with a focus on developing inclusive and equitable systems. Provide technical assistance and professional learning across national audiences.
• 25% Contribute to the conceptualization and design of products needed by the Center and partners in order to bring about transformation work. Provide necessary support to Associate Directors to create professional, relevant, and useful products.
• 25% Develop, manage, or conduct unique evaluation related to SWIFT implementation and associated research. Support technical assistance providers by reviewing, analyzing, and responding to data in a formative manner.
• 20% Manage logistical details for assigned projects with attention to organizing and coordinating complex calendars/schedules and mastery of Google Suites, Word, and Excel for management across projects.

Position Requirements

• This position will work remotely from home (telework).
• Availability to travel nationally for presentations and to deliver technical assistance to a diverse audience 50 percent of allocated time.

Required Qualifications

1. Masters Degree in Education or related field (e.g., Curriculum and Instruction, School Psychology, School Social Work) from an accredited institution and 3 years of experience in the field of study.
2. Evidence of successful P-12 school-based experience as indicated in application materials.
3. Evidence of successful experience as a technical assistance provider at a variety of levels (e.g., national, state, district, building) as indicated in application materials.
4. Evidence of successful experience at the state, district, or building level in MTSS and at least 2 other SWIFT features as indicated in application materials.
5. Significant previous experience that required working with large populations as evidenced by application materials.
6. Previous experience working collaboratively within a team structure, as attested to by references and as evidenced by application materials.
7. Evidence of successful navigation of a virtual environment as indicated in application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. PhD in Education or related field (e.g., Curriculum and Instruction, School Psychology, School Social Work) from an accredited institution.
2. Evidence of successful undergraduate or graduate-level teaching experience in education leadership, special education, co-taught classrooms, or related field, as indicated by application materials.
3. Evidence of successful school leadership or school community building, as indicated by application materials.
4. Evidence of conceptual and applied knowledge and skills related to implementation science, school reform, and scale up practices preferably in urban or rural schools and districts, as indicated by application materials.
5. Evidence of conceptual, methodological, and applied knowledge and skills related to formative and summative evaluation applied at the district, school, grade, and individual student level, as indicated by application materials.
6. Evidence of conceptual, methodological, and applied knowledge and skills related to instructional and intervention design for students with and without disabilities, as indicated by application materials.

Additional Candidate Instructions In addition to the online application please Include:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Contact information for three professional references.

Cover letter and resume should clearly indicate how you meet required and/or preferred qualifications.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Tuesday July 8, 2025. For consideration, please apply no later than Monday July 7, 2025.

Contact Information to Applicants Melanie Good
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Advertised Salary Range $100,000 - $109,000 Application Review Begins Tuesday July 8, 2025 Anticipated Start Date Monday July 14, 2025 Apply to Job