Director of Educational Research and Policy

State of Oklahoma; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Oklahoma is seeking a Director of Educational Research and Policy to lead research, data analysis, and reporting that informs education policy across the state.

This senior position requires expertise in education policy and data analysis, as well as strong communication skills to present findings to various stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience and proficiency in statistical software.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, Ed.D., or Ph.D. in education policy, public policy, economics, sociology, statistics, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in education research, policy analysis, or applied data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to disaggregate, interpret, and communicate data for multiple audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct education research studies and policy analyses.
• Analyze state and agency data to identify trends and evaluate outcomes.
• Translate technical analyses into accessible information for stakeholders.

Skills

Education policy expertise

Data analysis

Communication skills

Statistical software proficiency

Collaboration

Education

Master's or Doctorate in a relevant field

Tools

R

Python

SAS

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Director of Educational Research and Policy

Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA), 275 Office of Education Quality & Accountability.

Basic Purpose

OEQA seeks a senior leader who brings deep expertise in education policy, research, and data analysis. The ideal candidate is an analytical thinker and strong communicator who can lead complex research efforts, work with large datasets, disaggregate and interpret findings, and present information in ways that are clear, useful, and actionable for multiple stakeholders. This individual will help OEQA use research and data to inform policy, strengthen practice, and support high-quality education across Oklahoma.

Position Overview

The Director of Educational Research and Policy provides leadership for research, data analysis, and reporting that informs education policy, program improvement, and decision‑making in Oklahoma. Responsibilities include conducting high‑quality analyses, evaluating programs and initiatives, interpreting complex findings, and communicating results clearly to a range of stakeholders. The ideal candidate has expertise in education research and policy, experience with large datasets, and the ability to disaggregate, visualize, and communicate data to support sound decision‑making.

Essential Functions

Research and Policy Analysis

• Design and conduct education research studies, policy analyses, and program evaluations using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑methods approaches.
• Analyze state and agency data to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and answer policy and programmatic questions.
• Disaggregate data by student group, educator characteristics, certification pathway, geography, and other relevant variables.
• Interpret findings within the context of Oklahoma education policy, program implementation, and relevant research literature.
• Develop briefs, memos, issue papers, and other written products for internal and external audiences.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Clean, validate, manage, and analyze large or complex datasets using appropriate research methods and statistical tools.
• Develop charts, dashboards, tables, and other visualizations to communicate findings clearly and effectively.
• Translate technical analyses into accessible, actionable information for policymakers, educators, agency staff, and the public.
• Maintain high standards for data quality, documentation, and analytic transparency.
• Contribute to agency reports, legislative materials, board presentations, and public‑facing data products.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with OEQA leadership and staff to identify research priorities and align analyses with agency goals.
• Collaborate with partner agencies, researchers, vendors, and other stakeholders to support data access, research design, and reporting.
• Present findings to policymakers, the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, educators, and other stakeholders.
• Respond to questions about data, methods, and findings in a clear, professional, and timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree, Ed.D., or Ph.D. in education policy, public policy, economics, sociology, statistics, research methods, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience conducting education research, policy analysis, or applied data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of education policy and the ability to connect research findings to policy and practice.
• Experience working with large or complex datasets and producing analyses that inform decision‑making.
• Demonstrated ability to disaggregate, interpret, and communicate data for multiple audiences.
• Proficiency in at least one statistical software package, such as R, Python, SAS, or Stata.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating data visualizations, dashboards, reports, or presentations that make complex information accessible and actionable.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI.
• Experience conducting program evaluation or policy analysis in education settings.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and integrity.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.

Additional Information

All OEQA employees are subject to a one‑year trial period to ensure a good fit with the agency and the position responsibilities.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.