The Finance and Operations Associate will have strong input into many of our operational processes, including the management of software platforms, data security processes, and office operations such as inventory, facilities, computers, and other equipment. In close collaboration with the Director of Finance and Operations, the Associate will be encouraged to make recommendations for process improvements as necessary.

Learn more and apply.

The Director of Strategic Partnerships will work with other research organizations, like-minded nonprofits, and educational intermediaries—both maintaining current partnerships and, crucially, cultivating new ones. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this new position represents a pivotal strategic priority for our nonprofit organization.

This position is an excellent opportunity to liaise with a diverse group of educational organizations that create influential learning experiences and resources related to scientific insights generated on the Character Lab Research Network. The Director of Strategic Partnerships will find creative avenues to reach mutual goals as well as broker access to essential tools and resources to extend the impact of research that helps kids thrive. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of the evidence-to-practice pipeline, constantly seeks out process improvements, and is eager to join a close-knit and dynamic team.

Job Responsibilities

• Build a pipeline of organizational partners that are strategically aligned with Character Lab’s mission: Manage all aspects of the partnerships funnel, including prospecting, cultivating, positioning, and closing new partnerships, while maintaining all relevant information in our CRM.
• Establish mutual goals and expectations with key external partners, ensuring they have the support needed to integrate our scientific findings, and project manage all stages of partnership execution.
• Stay current on developments in relevant academic research and K-12 practice and policy trends.
• Build familiarity and relationships with other education sector organizations that embed scientific insights into resources, platforms, and programs.
• Design, plan, and execute events, including our annual Educator Summit, that encourage the integration of insights and innovations into schools and the work of other education sector organizations.
• Consult with education leaders on the potential application of scientific insights in their work.
• Cultivate a coalition of influential organizations and individual champions for Character Lab’s work applying scientific insights in K-12 education.
• Represent Character Lab with key stakeholders: Build the organization’s profile through engagement of current and prospective partners.
• Continuously improve systems and procedures through the application of new tools, systems, or best practices in the field.

Learn more and apply: https://characterlab.org/careers/

The ideal candidate has prior experience in a nonprofit environment managing finances. They should be equally comfortable diving into spreadsheets to analyze financial information and taking a bird’s-eye view to align the organization’s financial strategy with its programs and lines of services. They will manage key external partnerships, identify and correct inefficiencies, and develop effective strategies to improve operational and financial processes. As a member of Character Lab’s Directors’ team, the ideal candidate will also play a critical role in strategic decision-making across the organization.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strategic thought-partnership to the COO and other Directors to ensure alignment of organizational priorities across functions
• Oversee and lead annual budget development process, including revenue and other financial forecasting
• Maintain and upgrade operational and financial management systems, processes, and policies
• Maintain our internal controls and financial standards & procedures
• Oversee all accounting functions performed by our finance and accounting vendor
• In collaboration with the other Directors, develop statements of work, including proposed budgets for fee-for-service arrangements
• Oversee preparation and finalization of quarterly and annual financial reporting materials for funders, foundations, and the Board
• Coordinate annual audit process, liaising with external auditors and the audit committee of the Board
• Ensure proper and timely filing of all federal and state tax returns and registrations
• Manage the organization’s physical infrastructure (e.g., office space needs) and office operations (e.g., inventory and supplies)
• Manage all organizational technology needs, including but not limited to: purchasing of new equipment and software, overseeing copier agreement and maintenance, etc.
• Establish and maintain ongoing trainings to educate employees on organizational processes, policies, and procedures.
• Manage and support our Operations & Finance Associate

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (MA/MBA preferred)
• 5+ years of professional experience in finance, operations, or nonprofit management, including experience supervising others
• Prior experience in a nonprofit highly preferred
• Fluent understanding of financial & operational systems and procedures
• Comfortable working with collaborators and thinking strategically about system improvements and efficiencies
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Highly proficient in Microsoft platform (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), G Suite platform (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides), and finance-related programs (Quickbooks, Expensify, etc.)

Learn more and apply: https://characterlab.org/careers/

The Director of School Partnerships will lead the School Partnership team, develop and manage strategy for recruiting new districts, oversee budget and operations for school partnerships, and provide input on strategy for Character Lab Research Network. They will oversee all processes for research activities in schools (e.g., direct-to-student research activities, student and teacher interviews, teacher surveys, classroom studies) and work to improve efficiency across our organization. As a director, they will also provide input on the overall culture and strategic vision for the organization.

About Character Lab
Character Lab is a nonprofit devoted to advancing the science and practice of character development. We were founded in 2012 by two educators (Dave Levin and Dominic Randolph) and one scientist (Angela Duckworth) who see character development as essential to helping all children thrive.

Our research has shown that success and well-being depend on a multitude of strengths that are organized into three dimensions: interpersonal, intrapersonal, and intellectual. Interpersonal strengths like gratitude and empathy enable caring relationships with other people; intrapersonal strengths like grit and growth mindset enable achievement; and intellectual strengths like curiosity and humor enable a fertile life of the mind.

To advance the science of character development, Character Lab connects leading psychologists with middle and high schools across the country. To advance the practice of character development, Character Lab translates research findings into Playbooks, instructional materials co-created with scientists, educators, and designers. To learn more, see our most recent Annual Letter.

Our culture is both challenging (we’re never done improving) and supportive (one of our core values is excessive generosity). We are a small team of full-time designers, educators, and scientists (and one dog) under one roof. To learn more, read our Culture Book.

Learn more and apply: https://characterlab.janehires.com/Jobs/ALP-COTkLECnPyguMHedEA

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director (Donald Kamentz), the Director of Education will be at the forefront in developing tools and resources for character development. Working collaboratively with researchers, teachers, and designers, you will translate validated research into useful learning resources and tools for educators and students. As a member of the leadership team, you will oversee our educational partnerships and lead strategic thinking around scaling translated resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and Deliver Character Content
  • Lead the translation of validated research into evidence-based tools and resources
  • Test and refine teacher tools, supports, and delivery mechanisms using a design-thinking approach
  • Assess and communicate implementation learning and outcomes to all stakeholders
• Lead Education Strategy, Engagement, and Operations
  • Develop, communicate, and execute a vision for Character Lab Playbooks
  • Align education team’s strategic projects, staffing, and budgets
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with identified program partners
  • Recruit, develop, and manage other members of Education team, as well as external contractors
  • Engage with identified members of the Character Lab Board of Directors and Advisory Group around content and direction of Playbooks
  • Raise the visibility of the organization with external stakeholders as needed

https://characterlab.org/careers

Position Summary

The Research Manager will guide a variety of research projects that provide teachers and students with tools and resources for character development. To this end, the Research Manager will also ensure that research is running smoothly at all our partner schools. Reporting to our Director of Research, Dr. Sean Talamas, as well as collaborating with other research coordinators and postdoctoral fellows, this Research Manager will come into a role where they can combine their passion for research with their skills in project management and delegation.

We are looking for an individual who has hands-on experience with research and understands its demands. Juggling multiple projects at once, the right candidate embraces time management, can spot areas to improve process inefficiencies, and will thrive within our small and dynamic team.

Key Responsibilities

• Overseeing research projects and staff
• Coordinating data collections with schools/districts
• Writing/managing IRB protocol and grant proposals
• Training and supervising undergraduate research assistants
• Creating operational procedures for data management
• Advising staff on research design and analyses
• Hiring and managing work-study students as periodically needed for research projects
• Physical Demands/Environmental Factors
• Prolonged and irregular hours of duty, as necessary
• Some light to medium level of manual labor (e.g., preparing mailings, moving boxes of materials)

Application Process

Character Lab is an equal opportunity employer and encourages a diverse pool of candidates to apply. We accept applications on a rolling basis. Please submit a compelling cover letter with your resume.
Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Psychology, Statistics, or a related social sciences field, Master’s preferred
• 3-5 years work experience
• Significant experience in and strong passion for social science research
• Knowledge in statistics and data management (e.g., experience with SPSS, organizing data)
• Prior experience working with schools preferred
• Fierce work ethic and sense of purpose, with the ability to work well as part of a dynamic start-up
• Excellent project and time management skills
• Highly effective interpersonal communication, collaboration, and writing skills
• Excellent team leadership skills

https://characterlab.janehires.com/Jobs/_vvOwMZWUE-KYailMwNFVw

Character Lab is a Philadelphia-based, non-profit organization that aims to advance the science and practice of character development so that all kids can reach their fullest potential.

Position Summary

At Character Lab, we are seeking an Education Manager to support the development, testing and dissemination of educational content, as well as provide direct support to the Virtual Character Lab Network of Schools. Reporting to our Director of Education (Chad Spurgeon), you will collaborate with researchers, educators, and external resources as needed in order to translate our research into engaging curriculum for teachers and middle/high school students.

We are looking for an individual who instinctively knows how teachers and students think. The right candidate embraces best practices for creating engaging educational material, can thrive within a small, dynamic team, and has the highest standard for quality.

Key Responsibilities

Design, test and modify student-facing classroom experiences that lead to transformational learning

• Lead the creation, piloting, and revision of instructional content (e.g., classroom lessons, activities, and assessments.)
  • Use student and teacher design teams to inform the creation of classroom activities, lessons, and routines
• Curates, creates, and recommends educational resources and partners
• Ensures that instructional materials are culturally relevant
• Facilitate, test, and modify materials based on experiences, feedback, and data
• Serve as project manager for all ongoing education resource projects
  • Manage the work of external contractors
  • Track status and progress of each project

Lead the development of online education content

• Develop effective web-based professional development for educators that enhances teacher skills and adoption of new character practices, including designing content, interactive exercises, assessments and managing online communication platforms
• Design and produce engaging, evidence-based content that builds educator knowledge of existing character development research (e.g., blogs, podcasts, articles, etc.)

Lead ongoing communication efforts with school partners and educator collaborators

• Coordinate and manage the activity of Teacher Advisory Group (TAG) members, Virtual Character Lab Network of Schools liaisons, and additional external partners
• Track and monitor progress of all ongoing education projects and initiatives
• Assist with the recruitment of new school partners and TAG members

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Prolonged and irregular hours of duty, as necessary
• Some light to medium level of manual labor (e.g., preparing mailings, moving boxes of materials, etc.)

Application Process

Character Lab is an equal opportunity employer and encourages a diverse pool of candidates to apply. We accept applications on a rolling basis. Please submit a compelling cover letter with your resume. A portfolio of curriculum work samples is not required but highly appreciated.

https://characterlab.janehires.com/Jobs/WFSKxlCjLE6BuIB1BcOhlQ