Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vocational Research Manager
💰 $75,000 - $120,000
ResearchVocational StudiesProgram Management
🎯 Role Definition
The Vocational Research Manager leads and coordinates research initiatives focused on vocational education, workforce development, and employment trends. This role manages research teams, analyzes labor market data, develops reports, and provides insights to guide vocational program planning, policy-making, and stakeholder engagement.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Research Analyst
- Program Coordinator
- Workforce Development Specialist
Advancement To:
- Senior Research Manager
- Director of Vocational Research
- Policy and Program Director
Lateral Moves:
- Workforce Development Manager
- Education Policy Analyst
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Design, plan, and manage vocational research projects to evaluate education, training, and employment outcomes.
- Conduct literature reviews, labor market analyses, and workforce trend assessments to inform vocational programs.
- Supervise research teams, providing guidance, mentorship, and task delegation for effective project delivery.
- Develop research methodologies, surveys, and data collection instruments tailored to vocational studies.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using statistical software and data visualization tools.
- Prepare comprehensive reports, policy briefs, and recommendations for stakeholders, policymakers, and education institutions.
- Coordinate with educational institutions, employers, and government agencies to collect relevant data and insights.
- Monitor and evaluate vocational programs to assess effectiveness and impact on workforce development.
- Present research findings to internal and external stakeholders through presentations, webinars, and conferences.
- Ensure compliance with ethical standards, confidentiality, and data protection regulations in all research activities.
- Identify emerging vocational trends, skills gaps, and labor market needs to guide program planning.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate research findings into vocational program design.
- Develop grant proposals and funding applications to support vocational research initiatives.
- Oversee the maintenance of research databases and documentation to ensure accuracy and accessibility.
- Implement quality assurance processes to validate research data and outcomes.
- Advise leadership on strategic planning and policy decisions based on vocational research insights.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by evaluating research methods and processes.
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement sessions to understand workforce needs and vocational priorities.
- Train junior researchers and staff in data collection, analysis, and reporting techniques.
- Monitor project timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure efficient execution of research initiatives.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory labor market analyses.
- Contribute to the organization’s research strategy and roadmap.
- Collaborate with internal teams to translate research findings into actionable program recommendations.
- Participate in strategic planning meetings for vocational and workforce development initiatives.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Research design and project management
- Quantitative and qualitative data analysis
- Statistical software proficiency (SPSS, R, Python, or similar)
- Survey development and data collection techniques
- Labor market and vocational trend analysis
- Report writing and policy brief development
- Data visualization and presentation tools (Tableau, Power BI, etc.)
- Database management and documentation
- Grant writing and funding proposal development
- Knowledge of education and workforce development frameworks
Soft Skills
- Leadership and team management
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Effective communication and presentation
- Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Organization and time management
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Coaching and mentoring abilities
- Professionalism and ethical judgment
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or related field
Preferred Education:
Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Vocational Education, Workforce Development, Research, or Public Policy
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Vocational Education and Training
- Workforce Development and Labor Studies
- Education Policy or Research
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
5–8 years in research, vocational program evaluation, or workforce development
Preferred:
Experience managing research teams, conducting labor market analyses, and delivering actionable insights for vocational policy or educational program planning