Director of Center for Leadership Research and Workforce Development

TITLE

Director, Center for Leadership Research and Workforce Development

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership’s Center for Leadership Research and Workforce Development will lead an integrated effort that advances women’s leadership through both rigorous research and pedagogical innovation. The Director will oversee the Center’s dual mission to (1) generate and disseminate high-impact research on women’s leadership, and (2) elevate faculty teaching and student learning through evidence-based strategies that develop essential workforce skills. This visionary leader will drive curricular integration, faculty development, and external partnerships that reinforce TWU’s position as a national leader in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and workforce readiness education. Work is performed under minimal supervision and performance is based on the effective operation of the administrative function. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:  Executive Director/Chief Office of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. Reporting indirectly to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Supervises: Manager of Data Analytics, Special Projects Manager, and Faculty Fellows.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES -May include, but not limited to the following:

Leadership and Strategy

• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for the Center’s research and pedagogical initiatives. 

• Foster a cohesive vision that aligns with institutional goals for student success, faculty excellence, and women's leadership.

• Serve as a thought leader across the university and with external stakeholders in workforce development and educational innovation.

• Ensure delivery of high-impact programs, events, and faculty support services.

• Oversee reporting, budget management, and assessment of Center activities.

Research and Database Management

• Oversee the HerDataTX database, a comprehensive, searchable repository of women's leadership resources spanning academic research, industry reports, news coverage, and educational materials.

• Lead primary research initiatives including rural women's entrepreneurship studies, educational leadership analysis, and local elected office participation research.

• Manage the Representation Tracker for real-time monitoring of women's participation in municipal and county government positions.

• Oversee the Research Portal featuring monthly research highlights, scholar spotlights, and trend analysis.

• Produce annual "State of Women's Leadership" reports and quarterly research briefs for policymakers and business leaders.

• Maintain public-facing dashboards with representation metrics and research findings.

• Support and contribute to high-quality, applied research initiatives related to women's leadership and pedagogical effectiveness.

• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national conferences.

• Lead or support grant writing and external funding efforts to sustain and expand Center initiatives.

Teaching and Pedagogy

• Lead faculty development programs that promote excellence in teaching and integration of leadership and workforce readiness skills.

• Advance a robust SoTL agenda, supporting faculty in the development, implementation, and publication of innovative pedagogies.

• Foster curriculum development efforts to embed essential career-readiness competencies (e.g., critical thinking, ethical reasoning, emotional intelligence, AI literacy) across academic programs.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Build and maintain partnerships with employers, academic peers, and workforce organizations to ensure curriculum alignment with labor market needs.

• Coordinate with the Manger of Data Analytics and faculty fellows to integrate data-driven approaches into both research and instruction.

• Collaborate with the JNIWL and Provost’s Office to leverage institutional resources and extend the Center’s reach.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION

Doctorate’s in Education, Leadership Studies, Higher Education, or a closely related field required.

EXPERIENCE

Ten years experience of demonstrated commitment to and expertise in teaching excellence, with experience in faculty development or instructional leadership. Strong record of peer-reviewed publications in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), educational leadership, or a related field. Experience securing and managing external grants or institutional funding.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.  

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional teams.

• Proven ability to collaborate across units and with external partners to advance shared goals.

• Knowledge of database management, data analysis, and research dissemination.

• Knowledge of curriculum development and assessment of student learning outcomes.

• Knowledge of issues related to women’s leadership, equity in education, or workforce readiness.

• Ability to work with institutional data or contributing to public-facing research dissemination.

• Knowledge of data visualization and dashboard development.

• Ability to manage comprehensive research databases and digital repositories.

• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment. 

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Texas Woman’s University strives to provide an educational environment that affirms the rights and dignity of each individual, fosters diversity, and encourages a respect for the differences among persons. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is considered inappropriate.

Texas Woman’s University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, age, veteran’s status, or against qualified disabled persons.

All positions at Texas Woman’s University are deemed security sensitive requiring background checks.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government.  For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.