Education Research and Evaluation Project Director (Proposal)

The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Advancing data-driven innovations is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 2,000+ people in over 40 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome representative ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game. 

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. We create value-driven partnerships around the world, but our greatest focus is on empowering our employees to advance our mission.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity 

Abt Global is seeking a Project Director to lead large, complex federal education research and evaluation projects. This senior leadership position is responsible for the successful delivery of high-profile evaluations that inform policy and practice through rigorous research, stakeholder engagement, and actionable evidence.

The Project Director will oversee multidisciplinary teams responsible for evaluation design, data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination while ensuring outstanding client service, technical excellence, and operational performance. This role requires balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day project management across multiple workstreams and stakeholder groups.

This position is contingent upon project award.

Core Responsibilities 

• Provide overall strategic, technical, and operational leadership for large federal research and evaluation contracts.

• Serve as the primary client relationship manager, ensuring responsive communication, effective collaboration, and successful project execution.

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams of researchers, statisticians, survey methodologists, project managers, and communications specialists.

• Oversee evaluation design, data collection, analysis, reporting, quality assurance, and dissemination.

• Manage staffing, budgets, schedules, subcontractors, risks, and contractual compliance to ensure timely, high-quality delivery.

• Guide the development of data collection plans, analytic plans, technical reports, and other key deliverables.

• Lead executive briefings and presentations for federal clients and external stakeholders.

What We Value

• Master’s degree in education, social science, public policy, or a related field with at least 15 years of relevant experience, or a PhD with at least 10 years of relevant experience.

• Demonstrated success leading large, complex federal education research, evaluation, or technical assistance contracts.

• Significant experience designing and overseeing applied education research using multiple methodologies, including implementation studies and randomized controlled trials.

• Extensive experience managing multidisciplinary teams, concurrent workstreams, budgets, schedules, subcontractors, and project risks.

• Experience forming technical working groups and leading related meetings.

• Strong client-management, communication, and relationship-building skills, including experience working with federal, state, or local education agencies.

• Strong record of producing rigorous technical reports, peer-reviewed research, and executive-level presentations.

• Familiarity with federal evaluation standards, evidence-building activities, and large-scale data collection.

• Substantive expertise in one or more high-priority education policy areas.

• Experience developing reports for Congress, state legislatures, or other policy-focused audiences.

• Certification in current What Works Clearinghouse Procedures