Project Director, CORNERS (2-year Term)

Department: IPR - Inst for Policy Res
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

The Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science (CORNERS) at Northwestern University, housed in the Institute for Policy Research (IPR), conducts rigorous, community-engaged research into the ways that Neighborhood Science can be used to understand and address gun violence and other pressing social issues. Learn more about CORNERS here: www.cornersresearch.org.

CORNERS is seeking an experienced Project Director to lead and oversee the implementation of the Center's major projects and community engagement initiatives. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, Rebecca Weiland, the Project Director will manage the planning, monitoring, and successful execution of CORNERS' key research and evaluation projects and related initiatives that support the Center's mission to improve neighborhood safety through engaged research.

This role requires a dynamic leader with strong leadership and project management skills, the ability to oversee multiple complex projects simultaneously, and a deep understanding of community-engaged research approaches. The Project Director will work closely with CORNERS' leadership team, staff, and community partners to ensure the successful delivery of project outcomes.

This is a 2-year term position. Opportunity for renewal will be based on performance and available funding.

Please note: The Project Director will work primarily on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University, with occasional travel to partner sites and community organizations. The role may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate project needs and deadlines, including occasional evening and weekend work.

Specific Responsibilities:

Project Management Leadership:

• Direct the planning, implementation, and monitoring of CORNERS' research, evaluation, and community engagement projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and within budget.

Reporting & Evaluation:

• Develop and implement project evaluation frameworks and ensure timely and accurate reporting of project progress and outcomes to partners, funders, and other stakeholders.

Team Leadership:

• Supervise project teams, including associate project directors, project managers, and/or other programmatic staff, providing oversight, guidance, support, professional development, and mentorship.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including community organizations, government agencies, and academic partners, to support project goals.

Quality Assurance, Improvement, & Risk Management:

• Continuously seek opportunities and create systems to improve project processes, methodologies, quality, and outcomes, fostering a culture of growth and innovation within and across project teams.
• Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful project completion.

Budget Management & Grant Support:

• Oversee project budgets, including forecasting, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring financial compliance with university policies.
• Work closely with CORNERS' leadership team to identify project funding opportunities and contribute to the development of grant proposals.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the Managing Director and senior leadership to develop and implement strategic plans that align with CORNERS' mission and objectives.

Other Duties: Perform other project-related tasks as assigned by the Managing Director.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master's degree in social sciences, public policy, education, or a related field with
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
• Supervisory and project management experience required

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Exceptional project management abilities and the ability to oversee multiple projects-- developing efficient processes and procedures and ensuring the on-time production of deliverables.
• Proficiency in project management software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to CORNERS' mission and values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD degree in social sciences, public policy, education, or a related field with
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing complex projects, preferably in a research or nonprofit environment
• Experience in community-based research or working with diverse community stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in project management and the production of written deliverables for research and evaluation projects.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational and community dynamics.
• Strong interpersonal skills; innovative and results-oriented.
• Experience in grant writing or fundraising.
• Familiarity with Northwestern University's systems and processes is a plus.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $106,000-$115,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

#LI-EN1