Virginia Economic Development Partnership · 1 day ago
Director Policy & Research
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership is seeking a Director, Policy & Research to lead its research portfolio and advance the Commonwealth’s understanding of how education, workforce systems, and labor market needs intersect. This role involves overseeing data analysis, policy interpretation, and research strategy while ensuring effective communication and partnership building across various stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Conduct and oversee advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis, including labor market modeling, program alignment assessment, and workforce pathway evaluation
Identify emerging trends that inform policy development and statewide strategy
Set team priorities, allocate staff resources, and manage timelines aligned with the research agenda
Ensure efficient workflows, project transparency, and consistent communication across the research team
Identify new and innovative datasets that improve the strength, clarity, and utility of insights for statewide decisionmakers
Manage integration of datasets across higher education, K-12, workforce programs, credentials, and labor market intelligence systems
Represent VOEE in meetings with policymakers, legislative staff, agency leaders, higher education institutions, workforce boards, and business organizations
Build and maintain partnerships that support statewide education and workforce alignment
Contribute to the development and refinement of VOEE’s strategic direction and organizational practices
Help advance VOEE’s role as a statewide leader in education and workforce analytics
Qualification
Required
Conduct and oversee advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis, including labor market modeling, program alignment assessment, and workforce pathway evaluation
Identify emerging trends that inform policy development and statewide strategy
Set team priorities, allocate staff resources, and manage timelines aligned with the research agenda
Ensure efficient workflows, project transparency, and consistent communication across the research team
Identify new and innovative datasets that improve the strength, clarity, and utility of insights for statewide decisionmakers
Manage integration of datasets across higher education, K-12, workforce programs, credentials, and labor market intelligence systems
Represent VOEE in meetings with policymakers, legislative staff, agency leaders, higher education institutions, workforce boards, and business organizations
Build and maintain partnerships that support statewide education and workforce alignment
Contribute to the development and refinement of VOEE's strategic direction and organizational practices
Help advance VOEE's role as a statewide leader in education and workforce analytics
Strong writing and presentation skills with a record of producing analytical reports or decision support materials for senior audiences
Demonstrated ability to plan, develop, and implement projects; negotiate and resolve problems; and formulate and communicate recommendations
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment
Organized and adaptable with ability to manage multiple priorities
Proficiency with at least one statistical or programming language such as R, Python, SQL, SAS, or Stata
7+ years of experience working in education policy, workforce development, labor economics, or public policy research
Experience working with statewide datasets related to higher education, K-12, workforce programs, credentials, or labor market intelligence
Experience collaborating with policymakers, agency leaders, or multi-agency teams on research or policy initiatives
Experience supervising staff and managing workflows
Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment
A valid Virginia driver's license is required
Preferred
Background in state government, higher education administration, workforce development, or economic development
Familiarity with Tableau or similar data visualization platforms
Company
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), a state authority created by the Virginia General Assembly to better serve existing and new companies, to expand, locate, or increase trade opportunities, by providing confidential site selection, workforce solutions, and international trade services.