Director of Qualitative Strategy

Department UEI To&Through Initiative About the Department As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff, and students focus on identifying solutions to complex social problems through research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions. More than 10,000 Crown Family School graduates in the US and globally hold leadership positions in academia, at nonprofits, in business, and at governmental agencies. The Crown Family School is the home of three academic centers. These include the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Kersten Institute for Urban Education, and the Center for Climate, Health, and Society (CHAS). More information may be found at The To&Through Project is one of five units at the Kersten Institute for Urban Education that collectively work toward a shared mission of improving educational outcomes & promoting equity in schools & communities. At the To&Through Project, we believe that schools should be places where all students have access to equitable learning experiences and pathways from the middle grades through college graduation. We strive to create equitable education outcomes for Chicago Public Schools students by helping educators use data for inquiry and impact: Data: We analyze and share quantitative and qualitative data on the educational journeys of Chicago Public Schools students Inquiry: We work alongside education stakeholders from across the system to make meaning of data in ways that support and shift practice Impact: We help realize equitable learning experiences, pathways, and outcomes for CPS students from the middle grades through college graduation The To&Through team is a small, close-knit group of analysts and practitioners who are deeply committed to make schools in Chicago more equitable for marginalized students. We strive to create a highly personable, collaborative, and reflective culture that encourages people to bring their whole selves to work. We try to live out our values (care for each other, practice anti-racism, have integrity, be creative and curious, and respect all forms of expertise) not only in the work we produce, but also in the rituals and routines that hold our team together: monthly equity team meetings, feedback sessions, book groups, retreats, coffee chats, and regular supervisor/supervisee feedback. For more information visit: Job Summary Reporting to the Executive Director of the To&Through Project, the Director of Qualitative Strategy provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for all qualitative and storytelling-based work within the To&Through Project. This role is responsible for elevating the role of qualitative data—student stories, educator narratives, family experiences, and community voices—as a core pillar of To&Through’s approach to research, professional learning, and systems change. The Director of Qualitative Strategy will lead the big-picture, strategic thinking of our qualitative data and storytelling work. They will be charged with the conceptualization, design, and execution of practitioner-rooted stories (currently Learning Cases) and our qualitative partnerships with community-based storytelling efforts. They will support the Qualitative Data Strategist in the strategy and implementation of Student Stories and Family Stories. They will also continue to evolve our qualitative strategies and projects and innovate around new practice-rooted qualitative research that complements and contextualizes our quantitative data and research. The Director of Qualitative Strategy will support the dissemination of our qualitative work in partnership with the Director of Learning & Engagement and contribute to advancing the field of qualitative data and storytelling. The Director will also seek to advance our belief that qualitative data, not only the quantitative, must drive reflection and action in our education ecosystem. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, research, storytelling, and people management. The Director will both set long-term vision and remain deeply engaged in the qualitative work itself—conducting research, guiding the direction of qualitative data, facilitating practitioner learning, and modeling rigorous, ethical qualitative inquiry. The Director of Qualitative Strategy manages a team and plays a key role on the To&Through leadership team, contributing to cross-functional strategy, partnerships, and organizational culture. This is a grant funded position. The primary grant expiration date is 6/30/2029. If the grant is not renewed or a replacement funding source is not identified, the position may end upon grant expiration. Categories of job responsibilities and approximate percentages are as follows: Strategic Leadership & Vision - 15% Qualitative Research & Storytelling - 40% Professional Learning & Practice Engagement - 15% Team Leadership & Management - 20% Cross-Team Collaboration & Dissemination - 10% Responsibilities Set and steward a coherent vision for qualitative inquiry and storytelling across all To&Through Project initiatives. Articulate the value of and advocate publicly for qualitative data as a complement to quantitative data in informing equitable educational practice and decision-making. Collaborate with the Consortium on School Research and our other Kersten Institute of Urban Education unit colleagues on qualitative data projects and learnings in the field. Develop frameworks, guiding questions, and quality standards for qualitative work across the organization. Partner with To&Through leadership to align qualitative strategy with broader organizational priorities, timelines, and dissemination goals. Lead the design and execution of qualitative research projects, including case studies, interviews, focus groups, observations, and participatory storytelling approaches. Engage directly in fieldwork—observing, interviewing, and learning alongside educators, counselors, higher education staff, students, and families. Ensure qualitative work is practitioner-rooted, ethically grounded, and attentive to power, identity, and context. Translate complex qualitative findings into compelling narratives, professional learning resources, and public-facing materials. Improve team-wide frameworks for qualitative data collection in a way that aligns with university ethics and processes. Partner with the Director and Manager of Learning & Engagement to ensure our qualitative data resources are ready for facilitation and engagement for audiences including students; K-12 educators, counselors, and leaders; community-based organizations and nonprofits; higher education staff members; and other education stakeholders. Work closely with CPS offices, school-based practitioners, and community partners to identify problems of practice that would benefit from qualitative documentation and dialogue. Support practitioners in making meaning of qualitative insights and connecting them to changes in practice and systems. Manage, mentor, and support 1–2 direct reports in their professional growth, learning, and leadership development. Support the Qualitative Data Strategist in strategic thinking and vision setting for Student Stories and Family Stories workstreams. Provide regular feedback, coaching, and opportunities for skill-building in qualitative research, writing, and facilitation. Prepare and submit research protocols to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for review and approval, ensuring compliance with university standards for ethical research practice, as needed. Foster a collaborative, reflective, and equity-centered team culture. Support onboarding, goal-setting, and performance evaluation processes. Participate fully in To&Through Project meetings, retreats, racial equity learning spaces, and team rituals. Contribute to the ongoing evolution of To&Through’s culture, practices, and ways of working. Collaborate closely with To&Through’s quantitative data and research arm to integrate qualitative and quantitative insights. Contribute to dissemination strategies for qualitative work, including reports, toolkits, professional learning modules, and convenings. Collaborate with other Kersten Institute of Urban Education units (Consortium on School Research, Impact, Network for College Success, and UTEP) on relevant projects. Represent To&Through’s qualitative work in internal and external meetings, partnerships, and presentations. Solves complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology. Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis. Designs and manages databases. Writes reports, articles and manuscripts. Presents research findings at meetings and conferences, as well as to funding agencies. Conducts literature reviews. Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: --- Preferred Qualifications Education: Master’s degree in education, social sciences, public policy, social work, or a related field; or PhD or EdD with demonstrated training and experience in qualitative research methodologies. Experience: 5–7+ years of relevant professional experience in qualitative research, education-focused storytelling, or practice-based research. Demonstrated experience designing and leading qualitative research projects. Experience working directly with educators, students, families, and/or community-based partners. Prior experience in education systems (K–12 and/or postsecondary), specifically in Chicago Public Schools strongly preferred. Previous people management or team leadership experience preferred. Preferred Competencies Equity Lens: Deep commitment to educational equity and inclusive institutional practices. Strong qualitative research skills (e.g., interviewing, observation, coding, synthesis, ethical practice). Exceptional writing ability, with experience crafting narratives that balance rigor, nuance, and accessibility. Comfort facilitating professional learning and reflective conversations with practitioners. Ability to build trusting relationships across difference, role, and institutional context. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and timelines. Commitment to ongoing self-reflection, learning, and growth. Proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft Office and qualitative research platform(s). Working Conditions Hybrid work schedule with time on-site at the Hyde Park campus. Local travel within Chicago for meetings, events, and learning sessions. Occasional evening or event-based work. Some out-of-area travel for conferences or partner convenings, as needed. Application Documents Resume (required) Cover Letter (required) References (upon request) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Research Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $105,000.00 - $110,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook. 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