Director of Institutional Research and Evaluation

Job Description

Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Reporting to the Executive Director of the Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center, the Director of Institutional Research and Evaluation occupies a visionary leadership role, serving as the partnering architect of a new era of HBCU research and evaluation.

This position is responsible for assisting in the conceptualization, design, and building a robust, scalable data infrastructure that will systematically track campus outcomes and innovations across the HBCU ecosystem, providing an authoritative source of evidence on institutional excellence, student success, and long-term impact.

The Director will provide strategic vision and hands-on leadership, translating that vision into a tangible, functioning system. This includes overseeing the full lifecycle of the initiative—from design and implementation to execution and delivery—by piloting the infrastructure through existing funded research and strategic partnerships. The Director will also lead the Center’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework across a portfolio of grants, ensuring rigorous, data-driven reporting that meets all funder requirements and advances the Center’s mission.

The Director will partner with TMCF leadership, member institutions, and philanthropic partners to track campus outcomes and innovations, translating complex data into actionable intelligence. This role is responsible for creating a robust, scalable, and secure data ecosystem that supports the Center’s mission to produce irrefutable evidence of HBCU excellence. The ideal candidate is a scholar-practitioner and strategic leader who can architect data systems, lead advanced analytics, and guide institutional partners in leveraging evidence for continuous improvement and advocacy.

Reports To:

Executive Director of the Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center

Responsibilities:

Strategic Vision, Design, and Architectural Leadership

  • Envision and architect a comprehensive, secure, and scalable data infrastructure that serves as the central intelligence hub for the Payne Center, designed to track longitudinal outcomes and innovations across TMCF member institutions.
  • Lead the full lifecycle of this initiative, moving from conceptual design through implementation and execution, ensuring the system is built to generate irrefutable, peer-reviewable evidence of HBCU excellence for decades to come.
  • Establish and lead comprehensive data governance practices, ensuring data integrity, security, and strict compliance with IRB standards, FERPA regulations, and all confidentiality protocols.
  • Pilot the build-out of the data infrastructure by leveraging existing funded research projects and strategic partnerships, using them as the foundation to test, refine, and demonstrate the system’s capabilities before broader scaling.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Leadership

  • Serve as the lead coordinator for all MEL activities associated with the Center’s portfolio of grants and partnerships. Design and execute master MEL frameworks, including logic models, KPI tracking, and mixed-methods evaluation plans that satisfy all required grant deliverables.
  • Conduct rigorous formal program evaluations and longitudinal impact studies to assess the effectiveness of funded initiatives, track student success outcomes, and measure institutional capacity growth.
  • Produce comprehensive evaluation reports, semi-annual and annual progress updates, and final impact studies that meet or exceed all funder expectations and reporting deadlines.
  • Lead the procurement and management of relationships with independent, third-party evaluators as required by grant agreements.

Research, Analytics, and Insight Delivery

  • Lead the design and execution of complex, mixed-methods research studies, with an emphasis on longitudinal analysis to demonstrate long-term impact across the HBCU ecosystem.
  • Perform and oversee advanced statistical analysis and data modeling, translating complex datasets into clear, actionable insights for internal leadership, campus partners, and external stakeholders.
  • Ensure rigorous quality control of all data and research findings issued by the Payne Center, acting as the final checkpoint for analytical integrity and methodological soundness.

Dissemination and Stakeholder Engagement

  • Author and contribute to major research publications, policy briefs, and comprehensive impact reports, ensuring findings are accessible to diverse audiences, from academic peers to policymakers and funders.
  • Generate executive dashboards, regular data insights briefs, and other knowledge products that provide strategic intelligence to TMCF leadership and support data-informed decision-making.
  • Serve as a key ambassador for the Payne Center, presenting research findings at convenings, partner meetings, and industry conferences, effectively communicating the Center’s mission and impact.
  • Other duties as assigned

Position Mandatories:

JOB DETAILS:

  • Department: Operations
  • Location: Hybrid, Washington, DC
  • Employment Type: Full-Time
  • FLSA Status: Exempt
  • Travel Requirement: 15%
  • Supervisory Responsibility: No

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

  • A Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Sociology, Economics, Public Policy, Higher Education, or a related field is required; a Doctorate is strongly preferred.
  • 7+ years of progressive, post-graduate experience in institutional research, data analysis, and program evaluation, including the design and management of complex data systems and longitudinal datasets, preferably within higher education, a research environment, or philanthropy.
  • Demonstrated expertise in research design, advanced statistical analysis, data systems architecture, and the development of MEL frameworks that produce required grant deliverables.
  • Proven ability to lead and manage complex initiatives from conception through implementation and delivery, with a track record of translating strategic vision into operational reality.
  • Deep understanding of data governance principles, IRB protocols, and confidentiality requirements.
  • Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multi-year initiatives.
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills for technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations to diverse stakeholders.
  • Understanding of and commitment to the value of diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives, and an unwavering commitment to the mission of HBCUs.

Additional Information:

COMPENSATION:

  • Annual Salary: $75,000 – $85,000
  • Bonus Eligibility: Up to 5% of annual salary

Actual compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and organizational needs, in accordance with applicable laws.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW:

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) offers a benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision coverage on a cost-shared basis; employer-paid short-term disability (STD), long-term disability (LTD), and basic life insurance; retirement benefits (including a 403(b) plan with employer matching contributions of up to 6% of eligible compensation); paid time off; paid holidays; and professional development opportunities, subject to eligibility and plan terms.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position may involve extended computer use, lifting up to 15 pounds, and require evening and weekend work. Participation in and assistance with special TMCF events may necessitate a temporary change in normal working conditions, including a shift in days or hours worked, and/or working in alternative locations (e.g., outdoors).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations may contact hr@tmcf.org.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER:

Employment with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is at-will. This posting does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee employment for any specific duration.

PAID LEAVE ADDENDUM:

In addition to any leave or benefits provided by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), employees may also be eligible for paid sick leave, paid family leave, or other statutory leave and benefits as required by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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