AidData Program Manager

Job Requisition:

JR101589 AidData Program Manager (Open)

Job Posting Title:

AidData Program Manager

Department:

CC00232 WM001 | PROV | AidData

Job Family:

Staff - Social Sciences

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

Swem Library

Primary Job Posting Location:

Swem Library

Job Description Summary:

The Global Research Institute (GRI) empowers teams of William & Mary students and faculty to make a difference in the world. We are a multidisciplinary hub that applies scholarly research to real world problems, investing in outstanding student and faculty scholars to catalyze new insights and cultivate the next generation of global leaders. Based in the Office of the Provost, GRI supports a whole of university approach to advance W&M by developing ideas, convening partners, creating and analyzing data, and inventing new methods. The Institute’s approach to incubate and scale and applied research helps researchers push research frontiers and produce insights that matter at W&M and beyond. At any time, under the auspices of the Institute there are several research projects, most grant-funded, with the largest being AidData.

AidData produces novel data, tools, and research that answers the question: who is funding, what, where, for whom, and to what effect around the world? AidData has an explicit focus on data and research that meets high academic standards but is also accessible and relevant for a broad audience of international relations practitioners, policymakers, journalists, and scholars. AidData’s work is made possible by generous financial support of international organizations such as the World Bank and United Nations, private philanthropies such as the Hewlett and Gates Foundations, and government agencies such as the US Department of State and USAID.

The Program Manager contributes to multiple projects and works at the intersection of cutting-edge research and research dissemination with relevant stakeholders. In this position you will oversee student teams and work with them to implement research and/or data collection. You will contribute to literature reviews and provide background research inputs. Under supervision, you will perform quality assurance tasks and contribute labor estimates for project proposals.

Job Description:

Position Summary

The Program Manager (PM) I position contributes to a variety of projects and works at the intersection of cutting-edge research and research dissemination with relevant stakeholders. In this position, you will draft work plans, coordinate with internal partners to implement them, provide regular client updates under general supervision. You may supervise/coach Associate Program Managers in support of positive management practices and implement projects on time. You will lead the design of quality assurance procedures and oversee their implementation with your project team. You will be charge with explaining project methodologies to external clients. You will identify and propose improvements to existing methodologies, and with guidance, create and propose new methodologies.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education/, experience, and training.
• Experience (typically 2+ years) At least two years’ experience as an Associate Program Manager or equivalent position; working knowledge of research methodology; statistical and analytical techniques.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting research in the international relations, or policies.
• Experience working on research under contracts or with external funders.
• Experience working in international development research.

 

Conditions of Employment:

• This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.  This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.

 

Duties:

40% - Project Management:

• Review and implement work plans for a specific portion of a project.
• Design, implement, and complete tasks within the work plan as required in a timely manner.
• Troubleshoot issues with support from the supervisor.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a complex work environment.
• Adapt to changing situations and priorities.

 

10% - Methodology:

• Able to articulate and defend methodology choice and reasons with external partners.

 

10% - Quality Assurance (QA):

• Manage quality assurance procedures.
• Analyze current QA procedures and suggest improvements.

 

10% - Research Analytics & Design:

• Provide structure for literature reviews.
• Review results for fit-for-purpose.
• Execute data management, mixed methods/qualitative research methods, and/or analytical tasks using appropriate software (e.g. Excel, R, Qualtrics, Tableau) under supervision.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, reach logical conclusions, and balance “big picture thinking” with a high level of attention to detail.
• Deliver high quality data and written outputs.

 

10% - Supervision (student / staff management):

• Provide guidance to junior team members (hourly employees and Associate Program Managers) on how to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Manages a team of student workers (if applicable).
• Coach APMs in student team management, advise on student hiring (if applicable).

 

5% - Budget/Resource Management:

• Interprets budget analysis.

 

5% - Communication Skills (written, verbal):

• Review and draft written materials with supervision.
• Participate in internal presentations.
• Contribute content to external presentations.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with diverse constituencies in private and public sectors including researchers, external partners, clients, data users, and staff.

 

5% - Business Development:

• Occasionally participate in business development calls.

 

4% - Client Management:

• Attend external meetings.
• Provide ad-hoc support.
• Provide updates on calls with external contacts.

 

1% - W&M-wide Liaison:

• Manage standard subscriptions (with library, etc.).

Hiring Rate: $60,000

 

Additional Job Description:

Assignments include data collection, specialized research, agency organizational studies, strategic planning, and statistical analyses.
Frequent contact with agency employees and managers to gather data or discuss findings.
Applies knowledge of research methodology; statistical and analytical techniques; and strategic planning, theory, and process.
Ability to analyze and compile data and to write reports and recommends actions.

Job Profile:

JP0835 - Policy & Planning Specialist I - Nonexempt - Salary - S09

Qualifications:

Compensation Grade:

S09

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-04-17

Review Date:

2026-04-17

Position Restrictions:

EEO is the Law.  Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

 

Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check. 

 

Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.