Examples of Executive
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Job Title: DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION – NORTH LAWNDALE
Supervised By: Managing Director – North Lawndale
Employees Supervised: n/a
Classificaon: Exempt, Full-me, Salaried
Date: 5/9/24

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

The Steans Family Foundation concentrates its grantmaking and programs in North Lawndale, a community on Chicago’s west side; North Chicago, a city 40 miles north of Chicago; and on aligned policy and ecosystem initiatives. By dedicating time, resources, and skills, the Foundation works in partnership with local residents and institutions to build and enhance both communities. The Foundation’s work supports the idea that effective revitalization can occur within the embedded social and economic networks that create and sustain communities. The Steans Family Foundation also supports policy efforts that bolster the work on the ground. Specific areas of focus are: Education, Economic Opportunity, Housing, and Safety and Community Well-being.

There are currently 22 employees who are all committed to improving experiences and outcomes for residents of North Lawndale and North Chicago. Staff work from an office in downtown Chicago along with workspaces in North Lawndale and North Chicago. The Foundation granted about $17M in 2023 to community partners in North Lawndale and North Chicago and to fund policy initiatives. The Foundation is governed by a 6-member Board of Trustees comprised of Steans family members. It is co-located with two other family businesses, the law firm of Massey & Gail and Financial Investments Corporation (FIC), a private equity firm that also houses the Steans family office operations.

OPPORTUNITY:

Since its inception in 1986, the Steans Family Foundation has remained steadfast in its commitment to social justice and community empowerment in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. The Foundation is dedicated to addressing systemic inequities and fostering sustainable change through strategic grantmaking and collaborative partnerships. By investing in education, economic opportunity, housing, and community engagement initiatives, the Foundation aims to create a more just and equitable society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive. The Foundation has recently completed a strategic plan that prioritizes economic opportunity and the integration of programmatic investments that lead to population-level change in North Lawndale.

The Director of Research and Evaluation – North Lawndale will hold a pivotal role within the Steans Family Foundation, tasked with launching the development and implementation of comprehensive research, evaluation, and learning strategies. Reporting directly to the Managing Director – North Lawndale, the Director of Research and Evaluation will collaborate closely with foundation leadership, program officers, and other stakeholders to cultivate a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous progress. The Director of Research and Evaluation has a unique and compelling opportunity to help foster foundation- and community-level change in a collaborative fashion, acting as an integral thought partner. The new Director will emphasize interdisciplinary dialogue, development and utilization of learning and evaluation methods, creativity, and risk-taking. The Director will work closely with program staff to promote and support a culture that is hungry for information to assess programs, improve strategies, help both program staff and grantees learn, and facilitate sharing those lessons with the broader public.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Planning and Evaluation

• Provide strategic direction and technical expertise in designing, strengthening, and implementing learning and evaluation systems for the North Lawndale funding portfolio.
• Lead the development and refinement of monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks aligned with the Foundation’s North Lawndale strategic priorities.
• Represent the Foundation with key data partners to establish baseline reports and assess progress towards goals.

Capacity Building and Learning Culture:

• Strengthen staff capacity in research, evaluation, and data analysis through targeted training and development initiatives.
• Coordinate with program leads to integrate evaluation and learning practices into program design and implementation.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, inquiry, and experimentation across the foundation and its community partners.

Data Management and Analysis:

• Develop relationships with institutions to facilitate data-sharing agreements.
• Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data to measure program outcomes and impact.
• Develop and implement data management systems and processes to support effective reporting and decision-making and to monitor grantee and community-level progress.
• Collaborate with program teams to produce data-driven insights and recommendations for program improvement.

External Communications and Partnerships:

• Work closely with internal staff and external communications partners to communicate the Foundation’s performance against goals.
• Author reports, briefs, and presentations to share findings with external audiences and stakeholders.
• Represent the Foundation at conferences, meetings, and events to share best practices and engage with peer organizations.

Community Engagement and Collaboration:

• Cultivate strong relationships with community stakeholders, including grantees, partners, and residents, to ensure alignment with local needs and priorities.
• Collaborate with community-based organizations and grassroots leaders to co-create evaluation methodologies and promote participatory evaluation and decision-making.
• Support initiatives that amplify community voices and perspectives in the Foundation’s grantmaking, programmatic, and evaluation efforts.

Strategic Learning and Impact Assessment:

• Lead efforts to assess the impact of the Foundation’s grantmaking initiatives and identify opportunities for strategic learning and course correction.
• Develop and implement strategies for the program team to disseminate key learnings, best practices, and success stories to internal and external audiences.
• Collaborate with program teams to integrate evaluation findings into programmatic decision-making and resource allocation processes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished, collaborative, and consultative leader, possessing the following traits and professional experiences:

• Master’s required, PhD strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience in a related field such as social services, community development, non-profit, education, economic development, housing, and/or community safety.
• Direct experience working with systemically-marginalized communities at the local level and/or lived experience strongly preferred.
• Deep commitment to the mission, vision, and guiding principles of the Foundation.
• Demonstrated ability to impact and contribute to programmatic directions and priorities utilizing strong critical-thinking skills.
• Experience driving change at an organizational level in an inclusive fashion.
• Passion for building a learning culture.
• Mastery of both quantitative and qualitative methods, along with an ability to determine the appropriate mix of methods to meet information needs.
• Solid knowledge of evaluation and learning as evidenced through established networks, publications, or recognized accomplishments.
• Skilled in organizational learning and organization development, especially learning as a team endeavor.
• Capacity to effectively use research and evaluation for learning and strategy development purposes.
• Ability to translate concepts into action.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully on a multicultural team and to involve and work collaboratively and effectively with peers and all levels of staff in joint and shared efforts.
• Excellent communication skills, including oral, written, and group facilitation.
• Ability to represent the Foundation to a variety of stakeholders and partners in credible and influential ways.
• Demonstrated risk-taking and flexibility, with a high tolerance for ambiguity.
• The highest level of personal and professional integrity, excellent judgement, and quality standards.
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to meet people where they are.
• Entrepreneurial spirit.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position operates primarily in a professional office environment that is accessible. Some travel to off-site locations in the Chicago metro area may be required. Some of those sites may not be accessible.
• This is a full-time position.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk, hear, and use hands to operate office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to twenty-five pounds.
• Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment.
• Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.

COMPENSATION:

The annual salary for this position is $140,000-$160,000 and commensurate with prior experience. A comprehensive benefits package includes employer-paid medical, dental, and life insurance; long-term disability; an employer match and contribution to a retirement account; and generous paid leave. Foundation staff work in a hybrid work arrangement, generally comprised of working in an office at 50 E. Washington St. in Chicago on Tuesdays and Thursdays and working remotely on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

This search is being managed by executive search partner, Insight Executive Search. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact: Aaron Schmidt, President, at aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com.

Senior Associate for Equitable Community Development Strategies and Evaluation
REMOTE POSITION

To apply:

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search.
For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:
Aaron Schmidt, President, at aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

About Community Science:

Community Science’s mission is to help build the capacity of organizations and institutions to develop healthy, just, and equitable communities. We study and promote equitable community and system change. Our evaluation and research services are designed to develop the knowledge necessary to address social problems in a way that benefits all communities. Our other primary services include research and evaluation, strategy development, capacity-building products, and assistance such as consultation, training, webinars, applications, and guides for practitioners. We approach our work with a commitment to social justice, equity, scientific rigor, and integrity in our business practices. Our priority is to advance equity and justice by transforming foundations, government agencies, and nonprofits nationwide and beyond through our work. Our clients include federal and state governments, national and local foundations, and nonprofit organizations of all sizes that share our commitment.

This Senior Associate position is a leadership role in our Equitable Community Development Practice Area that works closely with our team in Bethesda, MD, and other locations. Ideal candidates have recognized expertise in one or more aspects of community development and have a demonstrated passion for fostering more equitable communities and other systems through strategy development, evaluation, research, and capacity building. Competency and experience in strategies that use place-based, systems change (e.g., community organizing or advocacy), or environmental approaches intended to advance economic and housing equity in urban and/or rural settings and promote a healthy quality of life for all community members are required. Expertise in community economic development and wealth building (e.g., systemic issues that affect small business, and workforce development), affordable housing and anti-displacement strategies, solutions to homelessness, or comprehensive community change initiatives is greatly desired.

Responsibilities:

• Take a leadership role in business development and our internal capacity building in equitable community development.
• Provide strategy development, evaluation, and evaluation capacity building services to government, foundations, nonprofits, and other organizations.
• Ensure technical quality control over assigned research, evaluation, and other services or tasks.
• Professionally oversee Community Science projects, people, and budgets.
• Ensure that project teams produce the highest quality services and deliverables.
• Write and produce reports and presentations for scientists, practitioners, and the public; and work with other senior staff on proposal writing and conducting marketing activities.

Qualifications Required:

• Master’s in a social science or related field with a minimum of seven years of relevant experience.
• A successful business development track record in developing contracts and grants from government, foundations, nonprofits, or other institutions related to equitable community development.
• Demonstrated expertise in evaluation, research, and capacity building in strategies that use at least one of the previously mentioned approaches to place-based, systems change intended to advance equitable economic and housing opportunities and the overall quality of life in urban or rural settings.
• Staff supervisory experience and skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in mixed methods evaluation, i.e., both qualitative and quantitative research skills.
• Analysis skills, including the ability to supervise the use of computer analysis tools, e.g., STATA or other analytic software, Atlas.ti, Arc GIS, R.
• Successful experience conducting research or evaluation cross-culturally.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel.

Preferred:

• Doctoral degree.
• Knowledge and experience with community organizing and other power-building approaches.
• Experience in a professional services or consulting organization.
• Demonstrated experience in organizational learning through evaluation capacity building as well as familiarity with this field of practice.
• Adult education, facilitation, and group dynamics training and experience.

Salary and Benefits: Community Science offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position, includes base pay with an annual target between $150,000 and $175,000 (based on qualifications), along with a comprehensive benefits program. Community Science’s benefits include health, dental, prescription drug, and vision plans; retirement plan with company match; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; opportunities and an extensive professional development program that includes funding and other opportunities.

Community Science’s headquarters is located on the East Coast, though our staff can be found in all four Continental US time zones. This is a remote position that can be located in any of the fifty United States or Washington, DC. While Community Science values and supports a remote work environment, we believe that periodic in-person collaboration is essential for fostering a strong team dynamic. Therefore, employees are required to be in the office at least once per quarter for 2 to 3 days of collaborative activities.

Community Science is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a culturally diverse staff to enhance our ability to work with different communities.

Visit our website http://www.communityscience.com for a more detailed description of our organization.

Position Title: Director of Evaluation and Research
Location: Remote
Reports to: Vice President of Global Programs

Summary:
The Evaluation and Research Department’s purpose is to advance CVT’s mission by using the tools of research and evaluation to support clinical practice, defend torture survivors’ human rights, and generate scientific evidence that contributes to ending the practice of torture globally. The Director of Evaluation and Research manages a growing department of over ten globally based evaluation and research professionals to design and implement a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for measuring the effectiveness and impact of CVT programs that focus on the delivery of mental health and psychological support and other services to survivors of torture, trauma, or human rights violations; the capacity development of service providers; and/or supporting human rights and justice-focused projects.

In collaboration with Evaluation and Research team members and program staff, the director will identify key areas for evaluation or research, build capacity for ongoing assessment, and lead efforts to conceptualize and implement a longitudinal strategic evaluation plan designed to strengthen programs, inform external stakeholders about our work, and generate knowledge to advance CVT’s mission.

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a strategic and comprehensive vision for research and program evaluation within CVT.
• Advise leadership on the implications of evaluation and research for the work of CVT.
• Participate with Senior Leadership Team members in the implementation of the strategic plan.

Knowledge Management:

• Develop reports and publish and present on research and program evaluation to advance knowledge in the field of torture treatment and trauma.
• Advise program leaders on the implications of evaluation and research findings as applied to CVT’s work.

Evaluation and Research Design and Implementation:

• Provide technical oversight and supervision for research and program evaluation initiatives to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of CVT’s programs and interventions.
• Ensure integrity and effectiveness of measures and data collection systems.

Program Development:

• Partner with program leaders in the development of existing and new programs to ensure evaluation is an essential component of each program.
• Support evaluation and research program design and assessments.
• Participate in the development of project proposals and report writing.

Director of Evaluation and Research

Department Management:

• Develop annual budget and manage department expenditures within budget parameters.
• Create and maintain positive relationships with program stakeholders.
• Define, clarify, and support the maintenance of clear roles and responsibilities, as well as an overarching department structure.
• Manage process, system, and structural change within the department.

Staff Management:

• Manage and supervise staff. Build a strong and cohesive team. Hire, train, coach, and develop staff members through ongoing feedback as well as formal performance management systems.
• Hold regular supervisory meetings with direct reports. Coordinate and facilitate team meetings.
• Ensure achievement of goals. Develop and maintain annual work plans (for individuals and team).
• Coordinate workflow, resources, and priorities.

Other Duties:

• Participate in other department and organization-wide activities, meetings, and trainings.
• Complete administrative responsibilities. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations:

• Ph.D. in social science, global mental health, psychology, or related field and at least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in research and program evaluation.
• Substantial experience as a senior manager, supervising staff and advising leadership on the implications of research and program evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience managing direct reports and teams effectively; including ability to develop rapport, build strong, trusting relationships, and work cross-culturally. Experience working with geographically dispersed teams.
• Demonstrated success leading change management initiatives.
• Excellent strategic thinking skills, with the ability to operationalize concepts and transform ideas into action.
• Extensive experience conducting complex research and program evaluation. Depth and breadth of knowledge of research design and qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Knowledge of psychological constructs, including mental health-related constructs.
• Experience working in an NGO or in an international context. Experience conducting evaluation and/or research in international, intercultural, and/or multilingual settings.
• Experience writing or collaborating on proposals, grants, and reports to funding entities.

Preferred education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations:

• Ph.D. in social science, global mental health, psychology, or related field and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in research and program evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with academic and research institutions.
• Experience integrating racial, gender, and social inclusion principles into MEL.
• Experience working with refugees and/or survivors of torture or other gross human rights violations.
• Experience applying research and evaluation to inform human rights and torture treatment, highly desirable.

Competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities):

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Ability to work effectively in Spanish, Kiswahili, French, Arabic, or another language preferred.

Director of Evaluation and Research

Key Competencies:

• Superior interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with individuals across an organization.
• Ability to develop relationships and communicate effectively (in writing and verbally) with colleagues working both in the U.S. and internationally, as well as with other stakeholders, with varying levels of familiarity with evaluation and research concepts.
• Interest and ability to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the organization.
• Outstanding organizational, planning, and follow-through skills, resulting in high-quality deliverables.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, and Excel), statistical analysis software (like STATA, R, or SPSS), survey tools (like Qualtrics, KOBO, or Alchemer), and qualitative analysis software (NVIVO, Dedoose).
• Interest in or commitment to human rights.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise staff.
• Build a strong and cohesive team.
• Hire, train, coach, and develop staff members through ongoing feedback as well as formal performance management systems.
• Hold regular supervisory meetings with direct reports.
• Coordinate and facilitate team meetings.
• Ensure achievement of goals.
• Develop and maintain annual work plans (for individuals and team).
• Coordinate workflow, resources, and priorities.

Work Environment:

• Typical office environment.
• Time spent on the computer is approximately 90%.
• Time spent in virtual meetings is approximately 75%.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee frequently is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, of up to 5 pounds.

Travel:

• Ability to travel nationally and internationally. International travel will involve some remote locations in low-resourced areas. Approximately 15%.

Additional Information:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and physical demands.
• Responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time as necessitated by organization needs.

How to Apply: This search is being managed by our executive search partner, Insight Executive Search.
For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:
Aaron Schmidt, President – aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

Position Title: Vice President, Research Operations
Location: Remote
Reports to: President & CEO

WHO WE ARE:
The Coleridge Initiative is a non-profit organization, focused on applied data analytics research for public policy at the federal and state level. We work with government agencies to create value by providing public agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy to develop better policies for the public good. In addition, we facilitate the development of collaborations within and across states allowing for new technologies to be developed through the secure access to and sharing of confidential microdata.

POSITION:
The Coleridge Initiative is adding a Vice President of Research Programs. This individual will be an integral member of the senior leadership team.

The Vice President of Research Programs will lead the development and expansion of various public policy topics and oversee the development of an annual research plan, with appropriate benchmarks. They will drive the agenda in order to expand the body of research conducted by the organization and actively expand the external resources available to the team through engagement with public institutions.

The Vice President of Research will head a current research staff of three, reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer. They will serve as a member of the leadership team, developing and leading strategic objectives for the continued growth and evolution of the organization.

They are responsible for providing direction and mentoring to research staff and working collaboratively with the staff to maintain effective day-to-day execution of research and data management functions, assess associated resource requirements, and engage appropriate outside expertise when needed.

The Vice President of Research works with the infrastructure and client-facing teams to ensure access to data necessary to meet research agenda objectives, identifying data requirements and sources, and ensuring that the database structure and processes are effective and efficient.

The Vice President of Research will participate in key revenue raising activities and events that support research and program evaluation projects. They will lead the development and implementation of sustainable programs by planning and formulating funding strategies for research activity. The Vice President of Research will work with the Senior Grants and Contracts Manager on grant proposal writing activity while engaging the research staff in the process. They will act as an ambassador for the organization and will have and build relationships within the non-profit, academia, government, public policy, and business communities. The goal is to advance the organization’s mission, as well as drive broader awareness and financial support.

This is a highly visible role, both internally, with the staff and board of directors, and externally as a representative and subject matter expert of the organization. The Director of Research will have an outstanding ability with at least ten years’ experience in a research or public policy environment.

The successful candidate for this appointment should exhibit the following:

• A PhD in Economics, Statistics, Operations Research or Public Policy is greatly preferred.
• Deep commitment to the importance of developing data and empirical analyses to inform public policymakers and other stakeholders, and to the conceptualization, direction and presentation of such research without advocacy of a particular policy course.
• Leadership stature in a relevant applied area of research, as recognized by authorities in the field and demonstrated in the course of at least 10 years of experience in policy relevant research, including substantial experience as a project or organizational leader.
• Possess and develop key relationships with stakeholders in government, private and nonprofit sectors, and academia to support and inform research programs.
• Has produced a portfolio of meaningful publications of white papers, policy briefs, fact sheets, and research reports.
• Experience in developing grant proposals, public and private, that support research and program evaluation projects
• Specific experience in applying standard and innovative advanced quantitative research techniques to public policy issues.
• Experience in Python and/or R coding
• A proven track record of mentoring, motivating, and leading a research staff, demonstrating the leadership qualities necessary to provide guidance and constructive criticism in ways that motivates professional growth.
• Strong desire to produce research results that are highly relevant to public policy debates, and credible to and understandable by key legislative and public policy decision makers.
• A demonstrated capacity to think strategically about research needs and potential opportunities, to exert thought leadership, and to cultivate the relevancy of the research team in the overall industry as needs and issues evolve.
• Integrity regarding all aspects of the collection, use, and presentation of data and analyses.
• Ability to look for new initiatives, linking ongoing research projects and talent resources with potential research opportunities. Strong desire to connect the resulting organizational success to personal and professional achievements.

This position affords a remote work environment within the United States. The company provides employer sponsored medical, dental and vision plans, matching 403(b), and generous paid time off policies.

How to Apply:

This search is being managed by our executive search partner, Insight Executive Search.
For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:
Aaron Schmidt, President – aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

Do you get excited about diving deep into data, insights, and research?

Do you aspire to conduct research aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable individuals, children, and families?

Do you like working on collaborative teams to drive social change?

The Team

MEF Associates is a well-established social policy research firm specializing in rigorous research that influences and shapes social programs that serve millions of Americans each year.

For the last decade, we have worked at all levels of government and with various non-profits focused on bettering policy related to child and family wellbeing, workforce development, income security, and early childhood education. We combine diverse work experiences and expertise to deliver meaningful, data-driven solutions.

The Culture

Our staff come to MEF because of our ability to make a difference through research. Each one of us brings a unique perspective, diversity of approach, and uncompromising commitment to research excellence. We believe that what we do impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of public policy and programs. Through this work, we realize our mission to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals, children, and families. We strive to use inclusive research methods that promote collaboration with the programs and communities with whom we work.

We value a diverse workforce and the benefits that come from research being conducted by individuals with varied backgrounds and life experiences. As a relatively small firm, we value close collaboration and a supportive work culture. We are committed to the growth and professional development of our staff.

The Opportunity

MEF Associates projects are organized across two broad domain areas: (1) Income Security and Economic Mobility Domain and (2) Children and Families Domain. The Income Security and Economic Mobility Domain Director has primary responsibility for overseeing the work in this domain, which encompasses MEF’s work in the areas of income security programs, workforce development, employment and training programs, food assistance, public housing, and financial capability. The domain’s work includes research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects.

The Director will provide leadership and management for the domain and will have a primary role in its decision-making and strategy. The Director will represent MEF externally on activities related to the domain, including client and partner management and marketing. The Director will report to the Vice President of Research and Evaluation and will serve as a member of MEF’s leadership team. The role represents a unique opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of a growing business and to work on a wide variety of policy research and evaluation efforts.

Some specific responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and execution of the domain’s business development strategies.
• Overseeing the allocation of staffing resources within the domain.
• Cultivating client and partner relationships within domain areas.
• Supervising some of the senior staff within the domain.
• Supporting staff development and recruitment to ensure the domain has competitive skills and qualifications.
• Serving on the firm’s leadership team to contribute to firm strategy and organizational decision-making.
• Coordinating with the Children and Families Domain Director to support cross-domain collaboration.

The Domain Director will also devote a portion of their time to MEF’s research and project work, including (but not limited to):

• Serving as Project Director, Principal Investigator, Subject Matter Expert, Senior Advisor, or Task Lead for ongoing research and evaluation work
• Developing and designing research and technical assistance projects
• Identifying appropriate analytical methods
• Leading field research and data analyses
• Authoring research reports, proposals, and presentations
• Monitoring project budget and timelines
• Ensuring the quality of project deliverables and proposals

Qualifications

• A recognized expert in one or more of the domain areas
• Experience as a leader and manager in a research organization
• Demonstrated success developing business in the domain with federal, state, local, and non-profit clients
• Strong existing relationships with relevant federal agencies (e.g., HHS, USDA, HUD, DOL)
• Deep knowledge of the demands of large research and evaluation projects for federal clients
• Experience managing and mentoring research staff
• Experience directing research projects
• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; experience in equitable evaluation and inclusive research approaches is strongly preferred
• At least 15 years of relevant experience that demonstrates progressively increased responsibilities and project management expertise
• A graduate degree in social science, management, or related field

MEF is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, and veterans to apply. Legal work authorization is required. MEF recognizes the value in hiring individuals who are bi/multilingual, including native speakers, especially given the diversity of populations served by the programs we study.

This role includes work to be performed primarily in an office environment. It typically includes frequent phone/audio communication and/or video conferencing usage; and extensive computer, keyboard, and mouse use. It requires the ability to travel domestically by airplane on occasion. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MEF Associates has offices in both Alexandria, VA and Seattle, WA. This position can also be remote.

Compensation and benefits: The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $225,000, depending on experience. MEF offers comprehensive benefits.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time

To Apply:

This search is being managed by Insight Executive Search.

To apply for the position, please email resume to:

Aaron Schmidt
President
Insight Executive Search
aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

JOB TITLE: Director, Research  

DIVISION:  Member Services 

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Member Services

INCUMBENT{S):   Leslie A. Athey 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this job is to serve our Members, Customers and Co-workers.

SUMMARY:

This is the management position responsible for ensuring ACHE identifies and describes trends  in healthcare management and factors affecting members’ career achievements. This position  also directs the market research activities. 

JOB FUNCTIONS 

1. Research Activities 30% of Time 
2. Reviews requests for projects. Obtains clarification from users and designs  research studies. Organizes the conduct of studies. Selects and supervises  statistical consultants. 
3. Obtains data, writes salient findings and draws conclusions. Analyzes problems  during research phase. Submits material to refereed journals for publication. 
4. Prepares memos for executive decision-making as well as articles and  monographs for publication based on research findings. Presents oral findings of  research. 
5. Assists and collaborates with outside researchers. 
6. Information Dissemination Activities 20% of Time A. Responds to a wide variety of questions from members and the general public. B. Delegates or conducts research and provides answers or referral sources. C. Conducts follow-up to ensure satisfaction.
7. Supervisory Activities 20% of Time 
8. Schedules, directs, evaluates and accepts responsibility for the work of one or  more employees. 
9. Initiates or recommends all personnel actions affecting these employees. 
10. Ensures personnel keep up to date with plans and developments affecting ACHE  operations.
11. Management Activities 15% of Time 
12. Prepares and monitors budget in all supervised areas. Ensures budget objectives  are met. 
13. Develops and implements objectives. Ensures objectives are met. 
14. Participates in internal committees as assigned. 
15. Facilitates communication between management and other staff by conducting  meetings and utilizing other channels as appropriate. 
16. Provides timely reports to Vice President, Member Services on activities and  progress. 
17. Liaison Activities 10% of Time 
18. Represents the organization to external agencies/organizations to assist them in  presentations, conferences, publications, recruitment and promotional activities. 
19. Provides coverage for Healthcare Executive Career Resource Center. 
    
20. Awards Activities 
21. Publicizes availability of awards. 
22. Reviews applications for completeness. 
23. Advises and works with committee members. 
24. Provides detailed follow up and publicity of the award.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS 

• Doctorate degree in health care administration, social science or related field  preferred. 
• Minimum of five to ten years experience directing significant social surveys.  Supervisory experience preferred. 
• Experience conducting focus groups and/or qualitative studies such as case  analyses. 
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Must have strong customer service orientation. 
• Must have strong team orientation. 
• Must be computer literate. 
• Ability to use word processing software (Microsoft Word). 
• Good time management and organizational skills.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

• Must possess sound judgment, discretion and a high degree of professionalism. • Ability to memorize a wide variety and type of information. 
• Ability to make decisions. 
• Ability to respond quickly to situations influencing decision making. 
• Must have regular and predictable attendance. 

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by  the employee occupying the position. In addition, percentages allocated to job functions are subject to change at the supervisor’s discretion. Employees will be required to follow any other  job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor;  subject to reasonable accommodations. 

Updated 04/15 

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search. For more information or to apply, please contact: 

Aaron Schmidt, President, aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

 Community Science

Job Title:           Senior Associate

Reports to:       President/CEO

FSLA Status:      Exempt

Location:             Can be remote.

Position Duties and Responsibilities: A Senior Associate’s primary responsibilities are to market and develop projects, manage projects, conduct research and evaluation, and provide technical assistance. Persons in this position will direct national and local projects using evaluation, technical assistance, knowledge management, and other capacity building methods, as well as conducting research and demonstration projects. Senior Associates are expected to develop and support their own practice (projects) and to work on other Community Science efforts.

This position requires expert levels of leadership, knowledge in one or more content areas, and management. A person in this position must demonstrate strong communication skills (speaking and writing), strong project management skills, and the ability to work with diverse groups of people, communities, and cultures. The successful Senior Associate will have a combination of quantitative and qualitative research and analysis skills with a strong commitment to scientific, technical, and practical quality. A Senior Associate can also be successful with expertise in a combination of capacity building skills that include social processes, adult education, information technologies, and media. Competence in computer application skills required to perform regular duties (e.g., MS Office, STATA) is expected.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Positive leadership and professional management of Community Science projects;
• Client satisfaction and customer service;
• Technical quality control over Community Science research, evaluation, and other services;
• Ethical practices that are consistent with Community Science’s core values; and
• Project or task management including supervision of staff, conducting work within project timelines and budgets, and resource management.

Other duties include:

• Writing and producing reports and presentations for scientists, practitioners, and the general public;
• Conducting marketing activities and monitoring business and other opportunities;
• Leading teams in writing proposals for contracts and grants;
• Mentoring other staff;
• Contributing to the profession (e.g. publications, presentations, participation in professional associations); and
• Contributing to the leadership, management and other capacities of Community Science (e.g. lead internal committee; provide internal training, staff supervision, protocol or manual development, etc.).

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Job Knowledge – Competent in required job skills and knowledge. Exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills. Keeps abreast of current developments. Requires minimal supervision. Displays understanding of how job relates to others. Uses resources effectively.
• Managing People – Provides direction and gains compliance. Includes subordinates in planning. Takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities. Makes self available to subordinates. Provides regular performance feedback. Develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth.
• Communications – Expresses ideas and thoughts clearly and concisely both in verbal and written form. Exhibits good listening and comprehension skills. Keeps other adequately informed. Selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Project Management – Develops project plans. Coordinates projects. Communicates changes and progress. Completes projects on time and budget. Manages project team activities.
• Analytical Skills – Synthesizes complex or diverse information. Collects and researches data. Uses intuition and experience to complement data. Identifies data relationships and dependencies. Designs workflows and procedures
• Planning and Organization – Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently. Plans for additional resources. Integrates changes smoothly. Sets goals and objectives. Works in an organized manner.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities. Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views. Gives and welcomes feedback. Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Puts success of team above own interest. Willing to help others to get the job done.
• Business Development – Works on an ongoing basis to meet new professional contacts or potential clients and shares positive information on Community Science. Sends Community Science promotional products to new contacts and communities and follows up on a consistent basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education – Master’s or doctoral degree (preferred) in social science, public health, or related fields.

Language Skills – Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills – Ability to apply advanced mathematical or statistical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

Reasoning Ability – Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid practical conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in statistical or diagram form and deal with complexity of the theories and practice of systems change leading to greater equity.

Computer Skills – Skilled in MS Suite Programs. Experience with computer applications (e.g., STATA, Atlas Ti, ArcView).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The position requires exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

It is an office setting with a moderate level of noise from computers, printers, and light traffic.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Community Science offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position, includes base pay with an annual target between $150,000 and $175,000 negotiable, based on qualifications, along with a comprehensive benefits program. Community Science’s benefits include health, dental, prescription drug and vision plans; retirement plan with company match; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays; opportunities and an extensive professional development program that includes funding and other opportunities.

Community Science is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a culturally diverse staff to enhance our ability to work with different communities.

Visit our web site http://www.communityscience.com for a more detailed description of our organization.

To apply:

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search.

For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President, aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

 Community Science

Managing Associate for Equitable Community Development Research and Evaluation

REMOTE POSITION

Community Science’s mission is to help build the capacity of organizations and institutions to develop healthy, just, and equitable communities. We study and promote equitable community and system change. Our evaluation and research services are designed to develop the knowledge necessary to address social problems in a way that benefits all communities. Our other primary services include research and evaluation, strategy development, capacity-building products, and assistance such as consultation, training, webinars, applications, and guides for practitioners.

The Equitable Community Development Managing Associate position is a remote role that will work closely with our team in Gaithersburg, MD. This role requires someone who is passionate about supporting and creating equitable communities through strong evaluation, research, and capacity building. Competencies and experience is expected in strategies that use place-based, systems change (e.g. community organizing or advocacy), or environmental approaches intended to advance economic and housing equity in urban and/or rural settings and promote a healthy quality of life for all community members. Expertise specifically around small business development, community economic development, wealth building, and connecting young persons to employment and economic opportunities are of particular interest We lead with integrity and honesty in our scientific methods and in our business practices. Our priority is to advance equity and justice by transforming foundations, government agencies, and nonprofits nationwide and beyond through our work.

Responsibilities:

• Provide evaluation and evaluation capacity building services to government, foundations, nonprofits and other organizations.
• Ensure technical quality control over assigned research, evaluation, and other services or tasks.
• Professionally manage Community Science projects and tasks people and budgets.
• Organize and analyze complex data and summarize and present findings.
• Write and produce reports and presentations for scientists, practitioners, and the public; and work with other senior staff on proposal writing and conducting marketing activities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Masters in a social science, or related field with a minimum of seven years of relevant experience.
• Strong evaluation, research, and capacity building competencies and experience in strategies that use place-based, systems change, or environmental approaches intended to advance equitable economic and housing, opportunities in urban and/or rural settings and promote a healthy quality of life for all community members.
• Staff supervisory experience and skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in mixed methods evaluation i.e., both qualitative and quantitative research skills.
• Analysis skills, including ability to supervise the use of computer analysis tools e.g., STATA or other analytic software, Atlas.ti, Arc GIS, R;
• Successful experience conducting research or evaluation cross culturally
• Strong communication written and verbal skills; and
• Ability to travel.

Preferred:

• Doctoral degree
• Knowledge and experience with community organizing and other power building approaches
• Experience in a professional services or consulting organization
• Demonstrated experience in organizational learning through evaluation capacity building as well as familiarity with this field of practice
• Adult education, facilitation, and group dynamics training and experience.

Salary and Benefits:

Community Science offers a competitive total compensation package that, for this position, includes base pay with an annual target between $115,000 and $135,000 (negotiable, based on qualifications), along with a comprehensive benefits program. Community Science’s benefits include health, dental, prescription drug and vision plans; retirement plan with company match; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays; opportunities and an extensive professional development program that includes funding and other opportunities.

Community Science is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a culturally diverse staff to enhance our ability to work with different communities.

Visit our web site http://www.communityscience.com for a more detailed description of our organization.

To apply:  

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search. 

For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:  

Aaron Schmidt, President aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

NeuroCytonix

Job Description:

Job Title:  Neurologist/ Medical Director

Location:  Option for hybrid work environment – combination of working from Rockville, MD headquarters and remote location.

Reports to:  Founder and Chief Executive Officer

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search.  For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

About Us

NeuroCytonix is an emerging biomedical technology company founded in January 2017 to develop transformational medical technologies for regeneration of the nervous system.

NeuroCytonix has developed a cutting-edge medical biotechnology business focused on tissue engineering and regeneration. This technology and its related protocols are dramatically improving the treatment of nonprogressive neurodegenerative diseases. NeuroCytonix’s technology and its related protocols are a new approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Stroke, Cerebral Palsy and TBI.

1. Roberto Trujillo, an MD and PhD from Harvard University, has worked on clinical and basic neuroscience research for over 25 years. He is the founder of NeuroCytonix.

Duties and Responsibilities

We are recruiting a full time Neurologist to work alongside our Founder and CEO.  The individual will:

• Interview, manage and monitor US and international patients throughout their treatment in our international treatment centers.
• Participate in meetings with our Founder with various counterparts, such as the FDA, foundations, universities, charities and other research programs.
• Write grant applications.
• Analyze clinical trial data.

Experience and Education

• S. Board certified in Neurology
• D. with minimum of five years’ experience in translational and/or clinical trials research.
• Ideal candidate will also hold advance degree in neurosciences, or an academic field of the health sciences (i.e., biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, etc.).

Competitive compensation with full medical insurance and 401K benefits.

NeuroCytonix is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in our workforce.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Job Title: Associate Director

Department: Healthcare Delivery and Disparities Research

Reports to: Program Director

Job Location: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 200 Washington, District of Columbia

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search.

For more information or to apply for the position, please contact: 

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

About Us

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.

Position Summary

PCORI is conducting a national search for Associate Directors to support our Science programs. The incumbent must have a proven track record of leadership possessing comprehensive breadth of knowledge in multiple clinical, policy, analytic, and methodologic issues to allow for knowledgeable oversight of the portfolio. In addition, the incumbent must demonstrate mastery of executive-level science leadership skills related to the analysis and prioritization of scientific and related challenges in the solicitation, award, and management of multiple research projects.   

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Associate Director is responsible for leading and supervising a scientific team of Program Officers and Program Associates in the strategic decision-making and high-level planning, management and monitoring of the program portfolio, and a broad array of program activities (e.g., advisory panels, workgroup meetings) that advance PCORI’s research agenda. The incumbent will optimize functional alignment and coherency of their team’s unit to align with an evolving operating model that integrates multiple disciplines, provides clearly defined positions, and creates a collaborative, inclusive culture to ultimately achieve PCORI’s mission. In addition, the Associate Director will actively participate in an ongoing strategic planning effort to update PCORI’s National Priorities and frame the organization’s Research Agenda for the future.  

We are seeking to fill one vacancy under this posting within PCORI’s Scientific Programs that focus on comparing patient-centered approaches to improve the equitability, effectiveness, and efficiency of care as well as seek to fill clinical information gaps by producing valid, trustworthy, and useful new evidence comparing the effectiveness of different clinical options.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management and General Program Responsibilities:

• Supervises and mentors a scientific team of professional staff, including Senior Program Officers, Program Officers, and Program Associates to accomplish a broad array of scientific development and oversight functions across the life cycle of extramural research funding in patient outcomes research
• Assists the Program Director, Program, and Senior leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives for the program and PCORI

• Evaluates the program’s portfolio to ensure balance and to identify need for modification of strategic funding directions and future funding opportunities
• Provides scientific, professional, and developmental guidance to mentor each team member to foster optimal performance and growth

Portfolio Management:

• Applies knowledge of clinical care delivery and/or clinical trials to portfolio management activities including PFA development, pre-award reviews, discussions with applicants, and serves as a resource to PCORI staff when clinical expertise is required
• Develops, with assistance from PCORI staff and external organizations, program-specific funding announcements
• Actively engages in PCORI’s processes for reviewing and awarding applications received through the funding announcement process
• Advises awardees on the execution of their contracts; advises potential applicants regarding their applications and the application process
• Engages in active portfolio management by monitoring awardees’ attainment of contract milestones and overall study progress, conducting site visits, and implementing learning networks or conferences to facilitate shared learning opportunities for relevant stakeholders

Organizational Responsibilities and Contributions:

• Leads/participates in small teams or working groups to conceptualize research topics, perform or assess systematic reviews of evidence, execute strategic research portfolio management, implement strategic planning, identify emerging initiatives, and facilitate the prioritization of research questions by experts, Board Committees, or advisory panels
• Represents PCORI publicly regarding program direction, program funding, the application process, and award results
• Participates in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and professional status
• Keeps Program Director and team apprised of developments and occurrences in the field that are likely to affect program decision-making, strategies, and/or award decision-making
• Carries out other responsibilities as assigned by PCORI management

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above.

Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Required Skills

• Possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and strong leadership experience in mentoring and supervising a scientific team of Program Officers and Program Associates
• Demonstrate expertise in clinical trial design, and execution and oversight in research methods, which may be reflected by prior success in publishing first-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrate expertise in clinical research analysis and prioritization of scientific and related challenges in the solicitation, award, and management of multiple research projects
• Able to manage complex tasks with substantial independent responsibility, balancing multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities, and opportunities to make substantive contributions to the research and program development activities of PCORI
• Display strong written and verbal communication and oral presentation skills
• Possess high tolerance for ambiguity
• Exhibit motivation to support PCORI’s mission and goals; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals
• Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management
• Show sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally
• Maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, personal maturity, good judgement, and strong work ethic
• Able to make decisions, justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with funding announcement applicants
• Able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture
• Able to link organizational goals to individual department missions and activities and able to envision innovative solutions
• Able to travel, as required, including for site visits, and representing PCORI at external meetings

Required Experience 

• Doctoral degree plus minimum of seven (7) years of experience is preferred; however, Masters’ degree plus ten (10) years of experience also will be considered, and proven leadership in program and staff management and development
• Experience in leading and mentoring a scientific team, managing large, complex research programs, funded portfolios, assessing risk and developing recommendations and action plans. Extensive experience working in a funding organization with increasing responsibilities and senior management roles is a plus 
• Proven leadership for specific area of knowledge in one or more of PCORI’s program areas: Health Systems and/or Disparities and Health Equity research

The health and safety of our employees is a top priority. As part of that commitment, PCORI requires all employees, regardless of remote work status, to be vaccinated against COVID-19. As a prospective and/or new employee at PCORI, you will be required to comply with PCORI’s vaccination policy, report your vaccination status, and provide proof of vaccination. Compliance with the policy does allow for exceptions, but those exceptions will only be granted in circumstances related to medical conditions, disabilities, and sincerely held religious beliefs. Continuing with this application indicates your intent to comply with PCORI’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

PCORI conducts background checks on all applicants.

PCORI’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

PCORI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity both internal and external to the workplace. You can learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

MEF Associates

Do you get excited about diving deep into data, insights, and research?

Do you aspire to conduct research aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable individuals, children, and families?

Do you like working on collaborative teams to drive social change?

The Team

MEF Associates is a well-established social policy research firm specializing in rigorous research that influences and shapes social programs that serve millions of Americans each year.

For the last decade, we have worked at all levels of government and with various non-profits focused on bettering policy related to child and family well-being, workforce development, income security, and early childhood education. We combine diverse work experiences and expertise to deliver meaningful, data-driven solutions.

The Culture

Our staff come to MEF because of our ability to make a difference through research. Each one of us brings a unique perspective, diversity of approach, and uncompromising commitment to research excellence. We believe that what we do impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of public policy and programs. Through this work, we realize our mission to improve the lives of vulnerable individuals, children, and families. We strive to use inclusive research methods that promote collaboration with the programs and communities with whom we work.

We value a diverse workforce and the benefits that come from research being conducted by individuals with varied backgrounds and life experiences.  As a relatively small firm, we value close collaboration and a supportive work culture. We are committed to the growth and professional development of our staff.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will help lead and/or collaborate on housing and employment and training research and evaluation projects. The work you do will likely be comprised of a mix of qualitative and quantitative research, project management, evidence reviews, and working with programs to implement procedures consistent with research methodologies. The role represents a unique opportunity to join a growing business and to work on a wide variety of large-scale policy research and evaluation efforts.

While each project can be vastly different, the work you do could encompass the following responsibilities:

• Serving as project director, principal investigator, and/or task lead for ongoing research and evaluation work 
• Managing data analysis projects
• Leading field research teams and conducting site visits
• Conducting literature reviews
• Designing and implementing surveys and focus groups
• Identifying new business opportunities and writing proposals
• Providing training and technical assistance to federal grantees or employment programs on program evaluation
• Authoring reports, proposals, and presentations

   

Qualifications

• A graduate degree in economics, statistics, public policy, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience managing projects for federal, state, and private clients on an array of social policy issues related to housing and/or employment and training
• Demonstrated success developing business in these areas with federal, state, and non-profit clients
• Experience managing and developing research staff
• Strong existing relationships with relevant federal or state agencies and deep knowledge of the demands of large research and evaluation projects for federal clients
• Familiarity with experimental and nonexperimental impact study designs
• Demonstrated excellence in writing and verbal communication
• Effective project management skills with ability to multi-task and prioritize a varied workload in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in interpersonal skills and collaborating with others in a respectful way
• Fluency in Spanish, written and verbal is preferred. More generally, MEF recognizes the value in hiring individuals who are bi/multilingual, including native speakers, especially given the diversity of populations served by the programs we study.
• Ability to travel domestically on occasion as public health conditions permit
  

MEF is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, people with disabilities, and veterans to apply. Legal work authorization is required.

MEF Associates has offices in both Alexandria, VA and Seattle, WA.  This position can also be remote.

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness.

MANAGING DIRECTOR, DOMESTIC EVALUATION SERVICES

Location: United States

DESCRIPTION:

Managing Director, Domestic Evaluation Services, Social Impact, Remote

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insights Executive Search.

For more information or to apply, please contact: Aaron Schmidt, President, aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

Social Impact (SI) is a Washington, DC-area global management consulting firm. We are a leader in evidence building and use and provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, capacity building, and learning services to make tax payer funded programs more effective. Much of our work to date has focused on the international development and humanitarian assistance sector for federal clients such as USAID, the Department of State, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. We are looking to aggressively expand and grow our federal civilian work outside of these three Agencies with a focus on our core capabilities related to evidence building, evidence use, and learning.

We believe Social Impact is a great place to work. We are proud of our diversity and work actively to expand it as a way of improving our employees’ experience, our collective professional breadth and the quality of the work we do. We promote equity and inclusion through our policies and practices and foster a culture of belonging for everyone where differences and authenticity are honored and embraced. We work hard to create opportunities for growth and ensure that our staff are fulfilled and engaged. We believe we are better when we collaborate, learn from one another and have fun while working hard.

Position Description:

SI is seeking a full-time Managing Director who is an experienced, resourceful and entrepreneurial evaluator to build a domestically focused monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) unit that leverages SI’s 25 years of international MEL expertise. The unit will initially focus on evidence building opportunities within DoEd, DOE (Department of Energy), DOI, DOJ, DOL, DOT, EPA, FEMA, HHS, HUD, USDA, VA, though knowledge of other civilian agencies will be an added advantage. The Director will leverage his/her technical expertise and experience in designing and leading research and evaluations to lead proposal development efforts, build extensive relationships with key decision makers in targeted agencies and potential partners, and lead efforts to increase SI’s visibility through representation, communication and thought leadership. This position reports directly to the CEO and initially supervises one full time staff member and short term consultants.

This is a full-time position authorized to be fully remote within the United States.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead an independent, agile unit within SI to shape and grow a new line of business in domestic monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Develop and execute a strategy to successfully leverage SI’s vast capabilities and excellent reputation in planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning for international development agencies and bring it to the federal civilian sector.
• Position Social Impact to be successful in the domestic market with a view to items such as communications, capabilities, partnerships, etc.
• Pay close attention to how SI can be cost competitive in this new market. Work with the CEO and other senior leaders to develop strategies to strengthen cost competitiveness.
• Oversee multiple concurrent initiatives and projects in the federal civilian sector.

Capture and Proposal Leadership:

• Proactively identify and qualify new business opportunities related to monitoring, evaluation and learning, with a focus on priority agencies.
• Lead the full cycle proposal development process for federal civilian bids and make significant contributions to conceptualizing and writing bids, including monitoring, evaluation and learning technical approaches.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and QA/QC to the proposal manager and consultants who may serve in various proposal development roles.
• Lead efforts to identify and lock in necessary partners and project Key Personnel.

People Management

• Lead a small and agile team consisting initially of a proposal manager and short term consultants. The size of the team is expected to grow as the unit generates new business.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and supervision for this team. Create an entrepreneurial, can do attitude among the team.

Marketing, Relationship Building and Representation

• Develop relationships with GS-13+ levels across all targeted agencies.
• Establish relationships with organizations and individuals who can increase SI’s chances of success. These include organizations with complementary capabilities that can serve as partners, individuals who can be named in Key Personnel roles, etc.
• Participate in industry groups, conferences, webinars and other fora to represent and promote Social Impact’s capabilities. Serve as a direct spokesperson in these fora as well as a liaison to facilitate the participation of SI technical experts in relevant events.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Master’s degree.
• At least 12 years of relevant technical experience with at least five years of business development and/or capture experience within the federal civilian market.
• Recent (within the last two years) relationships at one or more of the following agencies: DoEd, DOE (Department of Energy), DOI, DOJ, DOL, DOT, EPA, FEMA, HHS, HUD, USDA, VA,. Relationships at other federal civilian agencies would be an added benefit.
• Technical expertise in research and evaluation methodologies including experience designing and leading evaluations in a variety of sectors.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial skills, ideally with a track record in growing a new line of business.
• Experience supervising, coaching and mentoring staff.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co- workers and clients.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and provide advice and guidance in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and communicate effectively orally and in writing (English written and oral fluency required).
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, entrepreneurial, and management skills.
• Ability to work effectively and independently in a fast-paced, growing business environment.
• A commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive work and learning environment.
• Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com.

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insights Executive Search.

For more information or to apply, please contact: Aaron Schmidt, President, aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Job Title: Associate Director
Department: Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science
Reports to: Director, Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

About Us 

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.

Position Summary

PCORI is conducting a national search for Associate Directors to support our Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science Program. The incumbent must have a proven track record of leadership possessing comprehensive breadth of knowledge in multiple clinical, policy, analytic, and methodologic issues to allow for knowledgeable oversight of the portfolio. In addition, the incumbent must demonstrate mastery of executive-level science leadership skills related to the analysis and prioritization of scientific and related challenges in the solicitation, award, and management of multiple research projects.   

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Associate Director is responsible for leading and supervising a scientific team of Program Officers and Program Associates in the strategic decision-making and high-level planning, management and monitoring of the program portfolio, and a broad array of program activities (e.g., advisory panels, workgroup meetings) that advance PCORI’s research agenda. The incumbent will optimize functional alignment and coherency of their team’s unit to align with an evolving operating model that integrates multiple disciplines, provides clearly defined positions, and creates a collaborative, inclusive culture to ultimately achieve PCORI’s mission. In addition, the Associate Director will actively participate in an ongoing strategic planning effort to update PCORI’s National Priorities and frame the organization’s Research Agenda for the future.  

PCORI’s Scientific Programs focus on comparing patient-centered approaches to improve the equitability, effectiveness, and efficiency of care as well as seek to fill clinical information gaps by producing valid, trustworthy, and useful new evidence comparing the effectiveness of different clinical options.   

A cover letter is required for application to this position. 

This position is located in Washington, DC, and is not eligible for full-time remote telework.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management and General Program Responsibilities:

• Supervises and mentors a scientific team of professional staff, including Senior Program Officers, Program Officers, and Program Associates to accomplish a broad array of scientific development and oversight functions across the life cycle of extramural research funding in patient outcomes research
• Assists the Program Director, Program, and Senior leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives for the program and PCORI
• Evaluates the program’s portfolio to ensure balance and to identify need for modification of strategic funding directions and future funding opportunities
• Provides scientific, professional, and developmental guidance to mentor each team member to foster optimal performance and growth

Portfolio Management:

• Applies knowledge of clinical care delivery and/or clinical trials to portfolio management activities including PFA development, pre-award reviews, discussions with applicants, and serves as a resource to PCORI staff when clinical expertise is required
• Develops, with assistance from PCORI staff and external organizations, program-specific funding announcements
• Actively engages in PCORI’s processes for reviewing and awarding applications received through the funding announcement process
• Advises awardees on the execution of their contracts; advises potential applicants regarding their applications and the application process
• Engages in active portfolio management by monitoring awardees’ attainment of contract milestones and overall study progress, conducting site visits, and implementing learning networks or conferences to facilitate shared learning opportunities for relevant stakeholders

Organizational Responsibilities and Contributions:

• Leads/participates in small teams or working groups to conceptualize research topics, perform or assess systematic reviews of evidence, execute strategic research portfolio management, implement strategic planning, identify emerging initiatives, and facilitate the prioritization of research questions by experts, Board Committees, or advisory panels
• Represents PCORI publicly regarding program direction, program funding, the application process, and award results
• Participates in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and professional status
• Keeps Program Director and team apprised of developments and occurrences in the field that are likely to affect program decision-making, strategies, and/or award decision-making
• Carries out other responsibilities as assigned by PCORI management

Required Skills 

• Possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and strong leadership experience in mentoring and supervising a scientific team of Program Officers and Program Associates
• Demonstrate expertise in clinical trial design, and execution and oversight in research methods, which may be reflected by prior success in publishing first-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrate expertise in clinical research analysis and prioritization of scientific and related challenges in the solicitation, award, and management of multiple research projects
• Able to manage complex tasks with substantial independent responsibility, balancing multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities, and opportunities to make substantive contributions to the research and program development activities of PCORI
• Display strong written and verbal communication and oral presentation skills
• Possess high tolerance for ambiguity
• Exhibit motivation to support PCORI’s mission and goals; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals
• Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management
• Show sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally
• Maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, personal maturity, good judgement, and strong work ethic
• Able to make decisions, justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with funding announcement applicants
• Able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture
• Able to link organizational goals to individual department missions and activities and able to envision innovative solutions
• Able to travel, as required, including for site visits, and representing PCORI at external meetings

Required Experience 

• Doctoral degree plus minimum of seven (7) years of experience is preferred; however, Masters’ degree plus ten (10) years of experience also will be considered, and proven leadership in program and staff management and development
• Experience in leading and mentoring a scientific team, managing large, complex research programs, funded portfolios, assessing risk and developing recommendations and action plans. Extensive experience working in a funding organization with increasing responsibilities and senior management roles is a plus 
• Proven leadership for specific area of knowledge in one or more of PCORI’s program areas: Communication and Dissemination Research; Methodological Approaches for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER); Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities; and/or, Maternal Mortality

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Job Title: Associate Director

Department: Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science

Reports to: Director, Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

About Us 

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.

Position Summary

PCORI is conducting a national search for Associate Directors to support our Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science Program. The incumbent must have a proven track record of leadership possessing comprehensive breadth of knowledge in multiple clinical, policy, analytic, and methodologic issues to allow for knowledgeable oversight of the portfolio. In addition, the incumbent must demonstrate mastery of executive-level science leadership skills related to the analysis and prioritization of scientific and related challenges in the solicitation, award, and management of multiple research projects.   

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Associate Director is responsible for leading and supervising a scientific team of Program Officers and Program Associates in the strategic decision-making and high-level planning, management and monitoring of the program portfolio, and a broad array of program activities (e.g., advisory panels, workgroup meetings) that advance PCORI’s research agenda. The incumbent will optimize functional alignment and coherency of their team’s unit to align with an evolving operating model that integrates multiple disciplines, provides clearly defined positions, and creates a collaborative, inclusive culture to ultimately achieve PCORI’s mission. In addition, the Associate Director will actively participate in an ongoing strategic planning effort to update PCORI’s National Priorities and frame the organization’s Research Agenda for the future.  

PCORI’s Scientific Programs focus on comparing patient-centered approaches to improve the equitability, effectiveness, and efficiency of care as well as seek to fill clinical information gaps by producing valid, trustworthy, and useful new evidence comparing the effectiveness of different clinical options.   

A cover letter is required for application to this position. 

This position is located in Washington, DC, and is not eligible for full-time remote telework.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management and General Program Responsibilities:

• Supervises and mentors a scientific team of professional staff, including Senior Program Officers, Program Officers, and Program Associates to accomplish a broad array of scientific development and oversight functions across the life cycle of extramural research funding in patient outcomes research
• Assists the Program Director, Program, and Senior leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives for the program and PCORI
• Evaluates the program’s portfolio to ensure balance and to identify need for modification of strategic funding directions and future funding opportunities
• Provides scientific, professional, and developmental guidance to mentor each team member to foster optimal performance and growth

Portfolio Management:

• Applies knowledge of clinical care delivery and/or clinical trials to portfolio management activities including PFA development, pre-award reviews, discussions with applicants, and serves as a resource to PCORI staff when clinical expertise is required
• Develops, with assistance from PCORI staff and external organizations, program-specific funding announcements
• Actively engages in PCORI’s processes for reviewing and awarding applications received through the funding announcement process
• Advises awardees on the execution of their contracts; advises potential applicants regarding their applications and the application process
• Engages in active portfolio management by monitoring awardees’ attainment of contract milestones and overall study progress, conducting site visits, and implementing learning networks or conferences to facilitate shared learning opportunities for relevant stakeholders

Organizational Responsibilities and Contributions:

• Leads/participates in small teams or working groups to conceptualize research topics, perform or assess systematic reviews of evidence, execute strategic research portfolio management, implement strategic planning, identify emerging initiatives, and facilitate the prioritization of research questions by experts, Board Committees, or advisory panels
• Represents PCORI publicly regarding program direction, program funding, the application process, and award results
• Participates in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and professional status
• Keeps Program Director and team apprised of developments and occurrences in the field that are likely to affect program decision-making, strategies, and/or award decision-making
• Carries out other responsibilities as assigned by PCORI management

Required Skills 

• Possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and strong leadership experience in mentoring and supervising a scientific team of Program Officers and Program Associates
• Demonstrate expertise in clinical trial design, and execution and oversight in research methods, which may be reflected by prior success in publishing first-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrate expertise in clinical research analysis and prioritization of scientific and related challenges in the solicitation, award, and management of multiple research projects
• Able to manage complex tasks with substantial independent responsibility, balancing multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities, and opportunities to make substantive contributions to the research and program development activities of PCORI
• Display strong written and verbal communication and oral presentation skills
• Possess high tolerance for ambiguity
• Exhibit motivation to support PCORI’s mission and goals; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals
• Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management
• Show sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally
• Maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, personal maturity, good judgement, and strong work ethic
• Able to make decisions, justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with funding announcement applicants
• Able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture
• Able to link organizational goals to individual department missions and activities and able to envision innovative solutions
• Able to travel, as required, including for site visits, and representing PCORI at external meetings

Required Experience 

• Doctoral degree plus minimum of seven (7) years of experience is preferred; however, Masters’ degree plus ten (10) years of experience also will be considered, and proven leadership in program and staff management and development
• Experience in leading and mentoring a scientific team, managing large, complex research programs, funded portfolios, assessing risk and developing recommendations and action plans. Extensive experience working in a funding organization with increasing responsibilities and senior management roles is a plus 
• Proven leadership for specific area of knowledge in one or more of PCORI’s program areas: Communication and Dissemination Research; Methodological Approaches for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER); Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities; and/or, Maternal Mortality

PCORI conducts background and credit checks on all applicants.

PCORI is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in our workforce.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Job Title: Senior Clinical Program Officer

Department: Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science

Reports to: Associate Director, Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search.  For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

About Us 

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continually seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work.

Position Summary

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is conducting a national search for a Senior Clinical Program Officer to support our Science programs.  The incumbent must have a proven track record of leadership in delivery of clinical care (as MD, DO or its equivalent). For example, experience developing and overseeing a research clinical topic or portfolio. Additionally, demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following PCORI priority areas would be ideal: Communication and Dissemination Research; Methodological Approaches for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER); Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities; and/or, Maternal Mortality. 

The Senior Clinical Program Officer is responsible for strategic decision-making and high-level program planning, management, and monitoring of a program portfolio and program activities (e.g., topic development, advisory panels, workgroup meetings), that advance PCORI’s patient-centered research agenda.  The primary responsibilities include providing intellectual and organizational leadership to shape the science programs research agendas and funding priorities, develop funding announcements, award and manage a diverse portfolio of research awards, and evaluate program activities to further the strategic direction of the program.  This individual will also serve as the subject matter expert to the program in clinical care considerations related to research topics and awards funded within the program.

PCORI’s Scientific Programs focus on comparing patient-centered approaches to improve the equitability, effectiveness, and efficiency of care as well as seek to fill clinical information gaps by producing valid, trustworthy, and useful new evidence comparing the effectiveness of different clinical options. 

Duties and Responsibilities

General Program Responsibilities:

• Assists Scientific leadership in identifying and implementing strategic objectives for PCORI.
• Identifies and manages the development and implementation of program funding activities (e.g., requests for proposals).
• Collaborates with cross cutting business units and departments such as Science, Engagement, Communications and Contracts Management staff in implementing program activities such as PFA development, topic refinement, input into Advisory Panel or Oversight Committee agendas, strategic planning, or other emerging initiatives.
• Works closely with a team of PCORI staff in managing research awards. 

Portfolio Management:

• Identifies and manages the design and implementation of activities related to the development of program-specific PCORI funding announcements (e.g., convening workgroup and advisory panels meetings, working with external organizations including government organizations)
• Develops, with assistance from PCORI staff and external organizations, program-specific PCORI funding announcements.
• Actively engages in PCORI’s processes for reviewing and awarding applications received through the PCORI funding announcement process.
• Advises awardees on the execution of their contracts
• Engages in active portfolio management by monitoring awardees’ attainment of contract milestones and overall study progress, conducting site visits, and implementing learning networks or conferences to facilitate shared learning opportunities for relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborates with contract management staff to assess status of projects.
• Evaluates the program’s portfolio to ensure balance and to identify need for modification of strategic funding directions and future funding opportunities for program. 
• Advises potential applicants regarding their applications and the application process.
• Leads/participates in small teams or working groups to conceptualize research topics, perform or assess systematic reviews of evidence, strategic research portfolio management, and facilitate the prioritization of research questions by experts or advisory panels.
• Applies knowledge of clinical care delivery and/or clinical trials conduct to portfolio management activities including PFA development, pre-award reviews and discussions with applicants, and post-award management and serves as a resource for other PCORI staff when clinical expertise is required.

 
Organizational Responsibilities and Contributions:

• Represents PCORI publicly regarding program direction, program funding, and the application process and award results. 
• Participates in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and professional status.
• Leads, contributes to, and participates in internal groups and teams and cross-cutting initiatives.  Carries out other responsibilities as assigned by PCORI management.
• Keeps Program Director and team apprised of developments and occurrences in the field that are likely to affect program decision-making, strategies, and/or award decision-making

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in clinical trial design, execution and oversight and in research methods, which may be reflected by prior success in publishing first-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals 
• Preference for topical expertise in the following areas: cancer, mental health, cardiovascular disease, multiple chronic conditions, studies comparing pharmacological therapeutics or surgical interventions 
• Demonstrated expertise in health systems and/or disparities research preferred, with experience in clinical trial design, execution, and research methods, which may be reflected by prior success in publishing first-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals 
• Proven track record of leadership in either delivery of clinical care (clinical training with MD, DO, or equivalent), which may be reflected by clinical training, past work experience, or prior success in publishing first-authored scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle and manage multiple priorities effectively; must be adept at organizing time efficiently; high tolerance for ambiguity; ability to understand and work effectively with PCORI staff members.
• Able to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue; to identify major opportunities in a specific area; to see the big picture.
• Strong oral presentation skills.
• Strong project and people management skills.
• Personally motivated to support PCORI’s mission and goals; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals.
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic, able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management.
• Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Ability to make decisions, justify recommendations, and is responsive and clear with funding announcement applicants.
• Ability to travel, as required, including for site visits and representing PCORI at external meetings.
• Proficient in the use of technology.
• Ability to link organizational goals to individual department mission and activities.
• Ability to envision innovative solutions.

Required Experience:

• Clinical (MD, DO or its equivalent) plus minimum of seven (7) years of work experience (residency plus post-residency) in a research discipline relevant to patient-centered outcomes research, participating in clinical trials, or serving in a clinical advisory role for such trials.
• Extensive experience plus proven leadership for specific area of knowledge in one or more of PCORI’s program areas; extensive experience plus proven leadership in a funding research agency/organization; and/or extensive experience and proven leadership in research program and staff management.

PCORI conducts background and credit checks on all applicants.

PCORI is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in our workforce.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Location: Washington, DC

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search.  

For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND 

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent, nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010 to fund comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). PCORI-funded studies are designed to produce reliable, useful information that will help patients, caregivers, clinicians, employers, insurers, policy makers and others make better-informed health and healthcare decisions. In addition, the organization seeks to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes, by producing and promoting high-integrity, evidence-based information that comes from research guided by patients, caregivers, and the broader healthcare community. 

Comparative clinical effectiveness research compares two or more available healthcare options to determine what works best for which patients and under what circumstances. PCORI supports patient-centered outcomes research, which is CER that focuses not only on traditional clinical outcomes but also on the needs, preferences, and outcomes most important to patients and those who care for them. 

Since its founding in 2010, PCORI has awarded more than $2.8 billion to support over 1,700 projects, including research studies, engagement programs, dissemination and implementation projects, and research infrastructure activities. Among the most studied conditions are mental and behavioral health, cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and multiple chronic conditions. PCORI strives to reflect the diversity of the United States population and in its project funding, including diverse racial and ethnic groups, individuals with low socioeconomic status, women, older adults, and people with multiple chronic conditions. 

Patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) is central to PCORI’s mission but carries many challenges. PCORnet®, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, is a PCORI-funded initiative that was established with the goal of developing infrastructure to enable patient-centered CER to be conducted faster, more easily, and more efficiently.   PCORnet is a partnership of nine Clinical Research Networks, patient partners, one Health Plan Research Network and a Coordinating Center. PCORnet represents a diverse set of patients, institutions, ranging from academic medical centers to local community health clinics, and geographic settings across the United States.

JOB SUMMARY

PCORI aims to enhance the infrastructure that facilitates patient-centered outcomes research in order to drive lasting health and healthcare transformation. This infrastructure is inclusive of data, technology, and information, the research workforce people, as well as methods and study design for rigorous and reproducible research. 

The Chief of Research Infrastructure (CRI) will develop and lead a team that will deliver on PCORI’s vision of a large, efficient, patient-centered clinical data research infrastructure; execute strategies to advance the methods and study design for patient-centered outcomes research; and lead PCORI’s workforce development initiatives to advance training and knowledge of innovative methods in embedded research, data science, and analysis to improve public capacity for the conduct of large-scale, robust, rapid, and efficient patient-centered outcomes research. 

This critical role will provide continuity and coordination across the PCORnet landscape of clinical research networks (CRNs), coordinating center activities, and ongoing comparative effectiveness and infrastructure development projects or studies, serve in a consultative role across the organization on matters related to analysis of real-world data, data science, and data linkage as well as develop partnerships with federal agencies and other entities for synergistic approaches related to data network/infrastructure programs and  career development programs to support the next generation of patient-centered outcomes researchers.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES 

Working closely with the Deputy Executive Director for Patient-Centered Research Programs and across the Programmatic unit, the CRI will play a key role in the overall management, day-to-day and longer-term strategy formulation, budgeting, staffing, training and development, supervision and evaluation for all research infrastructure program activities and staff. With strategic guidance from leaders across PCORI, the Chief will work closely with key PCORI staff to develop and align PCORnet resources to facilitate implementation of PCORI-funded work. This is a senior position requiring leadership, strategic focus, strong staff and program management skills, personal initiative and excellent relationship building skills.

The Research Infrastructure program plays a vital role for helping grow a skilled cadre of PCOR investigators, and supporting research data and technology infrastructure including the PCORnet platform, that allows the conduct of efficient large-scale studies, particularly those focused on topics of high strategic interest for PCORI and its stakeholders.

The Chief will be responsible for the fiscal oversight of an annual operating budget and funding commitments of around $200 million.  They will have direct line reporting from Directors and Associate Directors and/or Senior Program Associates or Advisors and indirect line authority for a staff of approximately 10-15 people.  Work is generally achieved through subordinate level senior managers.

Specific responsibilities include: 

1. Develop and organize talent within the Research Infrastructure Program and ensure the unit is structured to efficiently support:
2. the oversight and continuous quality improvement of PCORnet. 
3. the advancement of data linkages, digital health, technology capacity building, and methods of analysis of real-world data.
4. workforce development and training initiatives.
5. rigorous patient-centered outcomes research methods, standards, and study design. 
6. Exercise careful budgetary and fiscal management for the program

Research Data and Technology Infrastructure

• Set objectives and strategies in coordination with PCORI leadership for the advancement of PCORnet to support PCORI’s strategic goals and priorities.
• Lead PCORI’s oversight of PCORnet-related activities; lead and coordinate cross-departmental team in support of PCORnet.
• Oversee and lead planning of future PCORnet expansion to ensure alignment with PCORI strategic priorities, subject to availability of funds and Board approval.
• Oversee all informatics-related aspects of all contracted work within PCORnet – to include issues of Common Data Model expansion, completeness and quality; issues related to data linkage between CRNs, and between PCORnet networks and external data sources.
• Provide strategic oversight for the contracts associated with PCORnet member CRNs and coordinating center functions.
• Exercise diligent oversight and evaluation of ongoing PCORnet activities and collaborate with members of the PCORnet Steering Committee to continually enhance the performance of the network.
• Champion efforts to link PCORnet and the Research Infrastructure Program more closely with other sectors of PCORI award programs including work to support greater use of PCORnet resources and services by these entities, and federal partners.
• Stay at the leading edge of methods in analysis of real-world data, data linkage, and embedded research to serve in a consultative role across the organization. 
• Build and maintain relationships with leadership counterparts at Federal and private sector research funders to develop and support collaborative initiatives related to data and technology infrastructure, data linkages, and data sharing approaches that align with PCORI’s mission.

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Methods

• Lead and execute strategies to advance the methods of PCOR through high level oversight of the funding and management of methods-based projects as well as facilitating the adoption of better methods as it relates to patient centered CER through the Methodology Committee and standards.
• Provide or oversee the provision of expertise in methodology and study design through a consultative role across the organization

Patient-Centered Outcomes Researcher Workforce Development

• Oversee PCORI’s patient-centered outcomes researcher workforce training and development opportunities through external partnerships with federal agencies and funding and management of projects toward this goal. 
• Collaboratively promote patient and stakeholder-engaged approaches in funded research infrastructure programs and platforms
• Provide strategic oversight for workforce training initiatives, including ongoing collaboration with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to develop and disseminate training awards to grow the next generation of learning health system researchers.

QUALIFICATIONS  

• PhD, MD or equivalent and/or 8 or more years’ experience in bioinformatics, clinical or embedded research or trial design, or health systems research and/or master’s degree with 10 or more years related experience.
• 5-10+ years of leadership and management experience.
• Highly seasoned expert in bioinformatics and/or embedded clinical research with known experience and understanding of how to leverage real world data for clinical research.
• Leader with demonstrated senior-level research experience, knowledge of research programs and full continuum (concept to D&I) and varying designs including qualitative and quantitative, observational and pragmatic studies.
• Leader with experience integrating engagement of patients and a broad array of stakeholders into research programs and coordination of a research portfolio involving extensive internal and external collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to drive and manage a complex program with multiple projects over a period of time, seeking and providing consultation, including consultation on technical issues related to analytic use of real-world data at all levels. 
• Experience managing research programs, funded portfolios, and significant projects including analysis, risk assessment, and development of recommendations. 
• Experience measuring and reporting on program outcomes and grant application process within a funding agency/organization is preferred.
• Ability to synthesize material and focus quickly on the essence of an issue to identify major opportunities in a specific area.
• Personally motivated to support the PCORI’s mission and goals; to work independently and in teams to think imaginatively about opportunities; to create and respond to innovative approaches to addressing an issue; to inspire others to work towards achieving team goals while being tolerant of ambiguity and change.
• Ability to envision innovative solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High energy level, enjoyment of challenges in a fast-paced environment, and a record of self-motivation and personal initiative.
• Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment, exemplified by consistent professionalism in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in staff leadership and management.
• Demonstrated insight and ability to work constructively with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders and personalities to ensure timely decisions and progress toward stated goals.
• Experience developing relationships with like organizations in the field
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and leadership counterparts at federal agencies and leaders from health systems and other private entities.
• Collegial, energetic and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, awardees, consultants, external funders, and others who contribute to program development and management.
• Ability to travel as required.

Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

PCORI is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. This position may require pre-employment screening potentially including a criminal background check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certifications, and/or verification of work history. 

PSE Technical Research Associate

Description

MDRC invites applications for a Technical Research Associate to join its Postsecondary Education (PSE) policy area with experience with public policy research, project & data management, and quantitative analysis. Over the past several decades, PSE has conducted dozens of large-scale randomized control trial (RCT) evaluations of a wide range of higher education interventions, including but not limited to comprehensive support programs, financial aid programs, and developmental education reforms. PSE has also spearheaded the development of world’s largest higher education Restricted Access File (RAF), which contains FERPA de-identified data from more than 25 evaluations. As a PSE Technical Research Associate, you will help lead multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic and challenging environment alongside leading public policy experts.

MDRC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and social policy research organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals, families, and children with low incomes. We are committed to finding solutions to some of the most difficult social problems facing the nation—from reducing poverty and bolstering economic mobility to improving public education and college graduation rates. We design promising new interventions, evaluate existing programs using the highest research standards, and provide technical assistance to build better programs and deliver effective interventions at scale.

Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the collection, processing, and analysis of a wide range of quantitative data.
• Supervising and ensuring the professional development of junior technical staff.
• Establishing data requirements for new research projects.
• Negotiating data access and sharing agreements with external organizations. 
• Ensuring the secure handling and disposition of sensitive data.
• Developing and maintaining best practices, protocols, and tools (e.g. workflows, R functions, templates) for working with postsecondary data.

Qualifications:

We are looking for solutions-minded candidates with strong academic backgrounds and work experience in quantitative research, data management, or both. The ideal candidate will pair strong interpersonal skills with deep knowledge and enthusiasm for all aspects of policy research data work, from data processing and analysis to data confidentiality and security considerations, to building best practices that enable cross-project efficiencies and learnings. A strong candidate will have: 

• Five or more years of experience with data management and statistical programming.
• Experience with the research data lifecycle, from acquisition through disposition.
• Experience with a data language, such as R (preferred), SQL, or SAS. Training in R is also available.
• Experience with social policy and quantitative research methods.
• Experience working with Management Information Systems (MIS) and/or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or supervising colleagues or junior staff.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical topics to nontechnical colleagues and other audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
• A master’s or bachelor’s degree in statistics, economics, public policy, computer programming, or another relevant field.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit under Social Policy Worker

United (SPWU) – Local 57 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal

Employees (AFSCME).

The position is currently remote through September, 2022. The position is ideally based in

MDRC’s New York City, Oakland, Los Angeles, or D.C. office, but location is flexible.

Salary and level will be commensurate with education and experience. Comprehensive benefits offered.

Instructions: This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact Aaron Schmidt, President at aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com. When submitting your application, please include:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Written research and programming sample

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that the health and safety of our employees and candidates is very important to us and that interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing. As a Federally Contracted employer, MDRC is in full compliance with all applicable regulations including, but not limited to, recent changes that require vaccination of employees of federal contractors. All employees are required to be fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccinations, unless they have sought and received an exemption from this policy due to a disability or other medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Accommodations are granted in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Applicants must submit proof of vaccination or request and submit an applicable request for accommodation during the offer stage.

MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No qualified applicant, employee, intern, volunteer, or apprenticeship trainee will be discriminated against on the basis of his, her, or their race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin (including physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics), marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group, tribal affiliation, membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group, name that is associated with a national origin group, accent, language use, immigration status, citizenship, possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their lawful presence in the United States, and other definitions under California or other states’ laws, ancestry, creed, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), age, citizenship, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, gender transitioning or perceived gender transitioning, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected medical leaves (requesting or being approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act) or similar state family medical leave laws, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Legal work authorization is required. To request a reasonable accommodation during any stage of MDRC&’s employment process due to a disability, please contact HRQuestions@mdrc.org.

MDRC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion exceed compliance requirements. We believe that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce of all backgrounds and perspectives improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff. By fostering an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, we seek an environment in which staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged in their work.

About MDRC 

MDRC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and social policy research organization dedicated to learning what works to improve programs and policies that affect individuals, families, and children with low incomes in the United States. We design promising new interventions, evaluate existing programs using the highest research standards, and provide technical assistance to build better programs and deliver effective interventions at scale. We work as an intermediary, bringing together public and private funders to test new policy-relevant ideas and communicate what we learn to policymakers and practitioners—all with the goal of improving the lives of low-income individuals, families, and children.

Research Associate, MDRC Center for Applied Behavioral Science  

MDRC’s Center for Applied Behavioral Science (CABS) invites applications for a Research Associate to lead program evaluations and help programs reimagine their processes and service delivery strategies. MDRC is a nonprofit social and education policy research organization dedicated to learning what works to reduce poverty. MDRC is committed to finding solutions to some of the most difficult problems facing the nation. CABS uses behavioral science and design thinking to create equitable solutions that meet people’s needs. We believe that to drive change, people receiving any given service should be engaged in program design. To learn more about CABS, visit https://cabs.mdrc.org/.

We are looking for candidates with strong academic backgrounds and work experience in quantitative research and behavioral science. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of behavioral insights, human-centered design, and equity-based approaches; significant experience applying those insights in field research with government agencies or nonprofit programs; a strong interest in social policy; and a desire to work in small teams to foster social innovation. 

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead rigorous evaluations and research plans. This role includes writing analysis plans, leading impact analyses, and writing reports summarizing the methodology and results of our evaluations. 
• Develop ideas for new behavioral projects and topic areas. Identify opportunities for additional evaluation and technical assistance work and build a portfolio of new projects. 
• Develop and manage relationships with government agencies, education institutions, and nonprofit organizations to participate in program evaluation and technical assistance projects. 
• Design creative and behaviorally informed solutions in partnership with implementing agencies to improve program outcomes. 
• Develop and lead strategies to disseminate results related to MDRC’s projects to funders, policymakers, practitioners, social scientists, and potential new audiences. 
• Track the latest developments in behavioral science, as well as in the technology and methodology of intervention development and evaluation. 
• Manage project staff, work plans, and budgets. 

Qualifications

• Candidates should have knowledge of research designs; communication, organizational, and analytical skills; the ability to lead and manage research projects involving external partners that include communities served or affected by the research; and interest and experience in explaining, teaching, or mentoring about behavioral science, human-centered design, research methods, and culturally responsive evaluation.
• Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent with research expertise as evidenced through publications, presentations, and overall body of work.
• Expertise and experience in applying behavioral insights or design thinking in field-based research.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research with an understanding of the lived experiences of participants, program staff, and research staff.
• Publications and presentations about behavioral science or human-centered design research on programs and policies.
• Relationship-driven, effective communicator and leader with strong interpersonal skills, desire to work in a team-oriented environment, and ability to collaborate with research team staff who have varied levels of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with external constituents, including funders, the research community, policymakers, practitioners, and participants.

What we offer: 

• Competitive salary and benefits 
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Retirement benefits
• Collaborative culture with career development opportunities
• Time off perks, including 10 paid holidays

Schedule: 5 days/wk.

Duration: Full-Time

Dress code: Business Casual

Job Code:

FLSA Exemption Status:  Exempt 

The position is open to all MDRC office locations in NY, DC, LA, and Oakland, California. Some on-the-job training is provided. 

If you want to be part of a diverse and multidisciplinary staff in a collaborative environment and values a meaningful career, then we want to work with you! 

Instructions: This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact Aaron Schmidt, President at aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com. When submitting your application, please include:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Written research and programming sample

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that the health and safety of our employees and candidates is very important to us and that interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing. As a Federally Contracted employer, MDRC is in full compliance with all applicable regulations including, but not limited to, recent changes that require vaccination of employees of federal contractors. All employees are required to be fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccinations, unless they have sought and received an exemption from this policy due to a disability or other medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Accommodations are granted in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Applicants must submit proof of vaccination or request and submit an applicable request for accommodation during the offer stage.

MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No qualified applicant, employee, intern, volunteer, or apprenticeship trainee will be discriminated against on the basis of his, her, or their race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin (including physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics), marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group, tribal affiliation, membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group, name that is associated with a national origin group, accent, language use, immigration status, citizenship, possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their lawful presence in the United States, and other definitions under California or other states’ laws, ancestry, creed, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), age, citizenship, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, gender transitioning or perceived gender transitioning, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected medical leaves (requesting or being approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act) or similar state family medical leave laws, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Legal work authorization is required. To request a reasonable accommodation during any stage of MDRC&’s employment process due to a disability, please contact HRQuestions@mdrc.org.

MDRC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion exceed compliance requirements. We believe that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce of all backgrounds and perspectives improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff. By fostering an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, we seek an environment in which staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged in their work.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

MDRC is seeking a Research Associate to join its Economic Mobility, Housing, and Communities (EMHC) policy area to develop and conduct program evaluations and studies in the areas of occupational skills training, workforce development, career pathways, and work-based learning. The ideal candidate would have deep content knowledge in the research literature, policy environment, and programs and practices related to workforce training operated by community colleges, nonprofit organizations, for-profit providers, and workforce intermediaries. This position is open to qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods researchers, and the individual will work on projects within MDRC’s EMHC policy area and projects housed within MDRC’s Center for Effective Career and Technical Education.

We are looking for PhD-level candidates with strong academic backgrounds in higher education, sociology, public policy, or other related fields. The ideal candidate will have extensive subject area knowledge, an interest in equity-based research and approaches, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a desire to help develop MDRC’s growing body of work in this area. The candidate should also have a significant interest in social policy and in producing and disseminating policy research for non-research audiences, working with government agencies and with education and training providers, including community colleges, non-profits, for-profits, and intermediaries that operate in the workforce development space. An interest in and knowledge of the intersection between workforce development, the future of work, and the growing green economy is also a plus. The ideal candidate will also have experience applying the principles of culturally responsive research or evaluation to new and existing projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research. Work with multidisciplinary teams to design and conduct studies to understand the effects of education and training for individuals and families with low incomes with a focus on occupational skills training, employment, and education programs. Help to develop research plans, including proposals to develop projects for both public and private funders. Conduct research studies and evaluations, including writing analysis plans, leading data collection and analyses, and writing reports summarizing research results.
• Project leadership and development. Work with multidisciplinary research and technical assistance teams to develop ideas for new projects and topic areas. Identify opportunities for additional evaluation and technical assistance work and build a portfolio of new projects.
• Team leadership and management. Work collaboratively and in an inclusive manner with colleagues at all levels of the organization to contribute to oversight of project budgets, schedules, and staffing to ensure high-quality project delivery. Contribute to the development of, and build relationships with, government agencies, education institutions, and workforce organizations to participate in program evaluation and technical assistance projects.
• Dissemination of findings. Improve future policy and program implementation by authoring publications and developing strategies to disseminating findings to relevant audiences. Communicate with funders, policymakers, practitioners, social scientists, and new audiences through conference presentations, publications, and other communications mediums.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with relevant research expertise as evidenced through publications, presentations, and overall body of work.
• Candidates should have knowledge of research designs; strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills; and the ability to both lead and manage research projects involving external partners that include communities served or affected by the research. They should be a team player with the ability to work creatively and effectively with staff at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with external constituents, including funders, the research community, policymakers, practitioners, and participants.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including the ability to mentor and help develop staff who are earlier in their careers.
• Willingness to build and establish an inclusive work environment on projects led by the candidate. 

• Comfortable working in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Expertise in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed research methods, including leading original data collection.
• Background in one of the following areas strongly preferred: workforce training and education, community-college career pathways and technical education, work-based learning. 
• Strong writing, oral communication, interviewing, and interpersonal skills.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit under Social Policy Worker United (SPWU) – Local 57 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Location: The position is ideally based in MDRC’s New York City, Los Angeles, or Washington, DC, office. MDRC is also open to remote work and anticipates a hybrid work environment through November 2022, regardless of location.

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

Instructions: When submitting your application, please include:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Written research 

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that the health and safety of our employees and candidates is very important to us and that interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing. As a Federally Contracted employer, MDRC is in full compliance with all applicable regulations including, but not limited to, recent changes that require vaccination of employees of federal contractors. All employees are required to be fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccinations, unless they have sought and received an exemption from this policy due to a disability or other medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Accommodations are granted in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Applicants must submit proof of vaccination or request and submit an applicable request for accommodation during the offer stage.

MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No qualified applicant, employee, intern, volunteer, or apprenticeship trainee will be discriminated against on the basis of his, her, or their race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin (including physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics), marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group, tribal affiliation, membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group, name that is associated with a national origin group, accent, language use, immigration status, citizenship, possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their lawful presence in the United States, and other definitions under California or other states’ laws, ancestry, creed, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), age, citizenship, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, gender transitioning or perceived gender transitioning, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected medical leaves (requesting or being approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act) or similar state family medical leave laws, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Legal work authorization is required. To request a reasonable accommodation during any stage of MDRC&’s employment process due to a disability, please contact HRQuestions@mdrc.org.

MDRC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion exceed compliance requirements. We believe that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce of all backgrounds and perspectives improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff. By fostering an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, we seek an environment in which staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged in their work.

Job Description

The position description is a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands and work environment conditions.  Position descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization at the sole discretion of management.

Job title: Controller

Department:   Finance

Reports to: Deputy CFO

Position Objective:  

Assist with leading financial improvement and audit readiness activities to achieve funder objectives. Apply knowledge of financial management, accounting, or audit principles to lead teams in a wide variety of review and analyses of business processes, systems, internal controls, and transactions impacting financial statements. Work in a collaborative team environment and interact with internal teams and client leadership on a regular basis to accomplish project objectives. Provide project management expertise to client engagements and project work streams, including analyzing plans and approaches and overseeing project delivery. This position must be familiar with the FAR, OMB, and other grant reporting requirements for proper approval and allocation of expenses and payroll. 

Essential Functions: 

• Direct the accounting function of the corporation. Decide appropriate accounting treatment of transactions. 
• Create a reliable and auditable set of books for the corporation that meet Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and any other requirements that the corporation is subject to such as Uniform Guidance, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and agency-specific requirements.
• Direct monthly closing before established closing deadlines, ensuring that all financial entries and cost allocations are recorded in accordance with GAAP.
• Review and approve grants and contracts billings. Ensure that revenue is recognized and posted in the proper period in accordance with accounting standards.
• Responsible for the review and accuracy of the net assets schedule and resolution of discrepancies. Includes ensuring that restricted grants funds are released from restriction when the purpose and time restrictions are met, that MDRC funds are used for authorized purposes only, and that contracts are billed appropriately.
• Responsible for the preparation of the Form 990 and 990-T and state returns, IRS Form 5500 reporting for the pension and savings plans, and census reporting. Coordinate internal and external review process.
• Review and approve bank reconciliations and account analyses for asset and liability accounts and ensure that discrepancies are resolved in a timely manner.
• Manage the preparation and completion of the annual financial statement and OMB A-133/Uniform Guidance audits, pension and saving plan audits, and any contract or grant specific audit. Coordinate with auditors and internal staff.  Prepare or review all schedules, analyses, and narratives for audits. Prepare management responses and corrective action plan for any findings.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts based on anticipated receipts from grants, contracts, endowment proceeds, etc, and anticipated cash outlays based on current budget projections.
• Prepare or review the annual Federal Indirect Cost Proposal and coordinate with staff the implementation of new indirect rates on proposals and billings. 
• Manage the drawdown of funds from a variety of funding agencies.
• Supervise semi-monthly time collection processing and integration and reconciliation.
• Direct and recommend process changes, workflow changes, or software system reconfigurations to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Protect assets by monitoring, updating, and ensuring adherence to internal controls.
• Direct, monitor, and maintain the documentation of business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls.

Other duties: 

• Other duties as assigned.
• Coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting 
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certification
• Public accounting experience a plus

Skills and/or Experience Required:

• Minimum ten years of experience in related field.
• Substantial experience with not-for-profit accounting and financial reporting.
• Strong management experience and ability to work as part of a team. 
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to set priorities and coordinate multiple tasks.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills, including ability to work quickly, accurately, and effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with automated financial systems and financial software applications

 
Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to speak clearly and hear the spoken word well.
• Regularly required to physically operate routine office equipment such as telephones, computers, etc.
• Regularly required to utilize near vision ability to read data and documents, including spreadsheets and reports, in printed form and on computer screens.

Work Environment:

• Noise level is consistent with levels usually present in an office environment.
• Hazards present are consistent with those common to an office environment.
  
  

The position can be remote or based in MDRC’s New York City, Oakland, Los Angeles, or D.C. office.

Salary will be commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits offered.

Instructions: This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive. For more information or to apply for the position, please contact Aaron Schmidt, President at aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com. When submitting your application, please include your resume and cover letter. 

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that the health and safety of our employees and candidates is very important to us and that interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing. As a Federally Contracted employer, MDRC is in full compliance with all applicable regulations including, but not limited to, recent changes that require vaccination of employees of federal contractors. All employees are required to be fully vaccinated with one of the available COVID-19 vaccinations, unless they have sought and received an exemption from this policy due to a disability or other medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Accommodations are granted in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Applicants must submit proof of vaccination or request and submit an applicable request for accommodation during the offer stage.

MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No qualified applicant, employee, intern, volunteer, or apprenticeship trainee will be discriminated against on the basis of his, her, or their race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin (including physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics), marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group, tribal affiliation, membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group, name that is associated with a national origin group, accent, language use, immigration status, citizenship, possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their lawful presence in the United States, and other definitions under California or other states’ laws, ancestry, creed, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), age, citizenship, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, gender transitioning or perceived gender transitioning, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected medical leaves (requesting or being approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act) or similar state family medical leave laws, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Legal work authorization is required. To request a reasonable accommodation during any stage of MDRC&’s employment process due to a disability, please contact HRQuestions@mdrc.org.

MDRC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion exceed compliance requirements. We believe that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce of all backgrounds and perspectives improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff. By fostering an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, we seek an environment in which staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged in their work.

Senior Associate – Equity, Education & Community Change Division (Education portfolio)

Location: Oakland, CA

Type: Full Time

Min. Experience: Mid-Level

Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) is seeking a Senior Associate for full-time employment in our Equity, Education & Community Change Division to support our Education portfolio.  We are a growing and dynamic research, evaluation, and technical assistance firm located in Oakland, CA.  Currently, we are seeking applications for highly qualified, mid- to senior-level researchers. We are particularly interested in researchers with mixed-methods skills in both quantitative and qualitative research who can contribute to and help build our portfolio of initiatives and programs aimed at education systems change (P-16). 

The Company: At SPR, we believe in providing rigorous, high-quality research, evaluation, training and technical assistance to improve the well-being of diverse groups of individuals, families, organizations, and communities.   SPR’s work spans multiple areas of social policy, often focusing on supporting our clients with workforce development, employment training, education, philanthropy, youth development, health, and other human service issues.  Over the past 25 years, SPR has earned national recognition for our work in evaluating the role of philanthropic and public-sector investments in policies and programs designed to improve outcomes for diverse populations across the country. Our clients consistently share an appreciation of the analytic lens and technical rigor that we bring to our work, and our ability to engage real-time data to inform continuous learning and iterative strategy improvements. For more information about SPR, please visit our website at www.spra.com. 

What we are looking for:  An Equal Opportunity Employer and federal contractor, SPR is an organization that values a staff with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability and veteran status (EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled).  

All candidates must meet all the following requirements to be considered for this position: 

• Graduate-level degree in a relevant field, such as public policy, sociology, education, psychology, economics, and other social sciences, with content expertise in education policy, school reform, and/or youth development. Only PhD candidates and Master’s level candidates with demonstrated work experience will be considered. 

• Expertise in equity-focused education policy and reform, P-16 education systems, youth programs, and/or education-related community change efforts. 
• Minimum 5 years of direct experience designing and carrying out mixed-methods evaluations using a variety of methods (i.e., interviews, focus groups, ethnographies, site visits, surveys, management of large-scale data sets, and/or administrative data cleaning and analysis). Experience with training, facilitation, or technical assistance a strong plus.   
• Experience managing project teams and budgets, as well as working for a range of client types (e.g., non-profit, philanthropic, government, etc.) 
• Ability to bring a culturally responsive, critical race, gender, and equity lens to research and analysis.  
• Excellent oral and communications skills, with demonstrated experience producing high-quality written products that skillfully present critical analysis, lessons, and strategic recommendations to clients.  

The Position:  Senior Associates at SPR have key responsibilities for working within multiple project teams to implement research and evaluation studies and/or technical assistance projects.  Specific duties will vary by previous experience, but may include a mix of the following:  

• Mixed-methods evaluation and analysis of policy, investments, and/or programs as part of a team. 
• Design of data collection tools and procedures for utilizing mixed methods such as surveys, administrative or extant data, interviews, and site visits. 
• Analysis of data from multiple data sources and preparation of evaluation reports, case students, learning papers, or other deliverables for government, foundation, and/or non-profit clients. 
• Participation in proposal writing and business development. 
• Facilitation of learning communities or meetings, virtual trainings, and/or technical assistance activities. 
• Project management of teams and budgets, depending on experience. 
• Field-facing dissemination, such as presentation of findings at client briefings and/or conferences, blog writing, etc. 
• Occasional travel to conduct site visits, attend client meetings, or conferences (depending on state and local travel restrictions). 

The Location: SPR is conveniently located right on top of the City Center BART station in downtown Oakland. The building plaza has great food options for lunch, and we are just a few blocks away from Chinatown restaurants. Our location in Oakland also allows us to be in close contact with many of the communities we support through our work. Please note that SPR is following all current, applicable state and county health and operating orders, and this position may not have immediate access to the physical SPR office. 

Other Information: In this role, you can expect to work in an office environment; occasional lifting up to 40 lbs; frequent telephone usage; extensive computer use; use of office machines; heavy keyboarding. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. SPR offers excellent benefits, including health, dental, vision, and 401k plan. 

How to Apply:  

This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search. 

For more information or to apply for the position, please contact: 

Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) is seeking a Senior Data Visualization Programmer for full-time employment in our Workforce Development and Human Services Division.  We are a growing and dynamic research, evaluation, and technical assistance firm located in Oakland, CA. Currently, we are seeking applications for a qualified, full-time mid-level researcher to join our team and collectively help carry out evaluations of programs focused on improving employment stability and economic self-sufficiency for low-income populations. 

The Company: At SPR, we believe in providing rigorous, high quality research, evaluation, training and technical assistance to improve the well-being of diverse groups of individuals, families, organizations, and communities.   SPR’s work spans multiple areas of social policy, often focusing on supporting our clients with workforce development, employment training, education, philanthropy, youth development, health, and other human service issues.  Over the past 25 years, SPR has earned national recognition for our work in evaluating the role of philanthropic and public-sector investments in policies and programs designed to improve outcomes for diverse populations across the country. Our clients consistently share an appreciation of the analytic lens and technical rigor that we bring to our work, and our ability to engage real-time data to inform continuous learning and iterative strategy improvements. For more information about SPR, please visit our website at www.spra.com.

What We Are Looking For: An Equal Opportunity Employer and federal contractor, SPR is an organization that values a staff with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability and veteran status (EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled).   

All candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered for this position:

• Graduate degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or social sciences and 5+ years of work experience; or bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or social sciences and 7+ years of work experience.
• Expertise with programming in R to clean, manage, & analyze data and produce data visualizations. 
• Experience working with web technologies (R Shiny, HTML, CSS, SCSS etc.)
• Demonstrated strength in successfully developing and managing large datasets created from multiple sources.
• Demonstrated interests in issue areas relevant to SPR project portfolios.
• Ability to work professionally and productively within a team context, including excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and to manage multiple priorities and deadlines and complete assigned tasks. 
• Self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented work style, as well as ability to multi-task across multiple projects.
• Experience in programming and managing data sets in SAS and/or Stata, is a plus. 
• Experience working in GitHub and/or employing quality assurance practices with reproducibility in mind is a plus
• Experience working with geospatial data is a plus.
• Experience accessing data via APIs and web-scraping is a plus.

The Position:  The Senior Data Visualization Programmer at SPR has key responsibilities for working within multiple project teams to implement research and evaluation studies.  Specific duties will vary by previous experience and research skills, but may include a mix of the following: 

• Lead the design and development of data visualization products (including web and application-based products)
• Consult with staff that have ideas and/or questions about how to incorporate data visualizations.
• Production of infographics, tables or preparation of material to support data analyses.
• Helping prepare portions of reports and proposals, including both writing and data displays. 
• Developing reproducible programs for data management tasks.
• Provide oversight and guidance to other programmers.
• Leading data-related tasks to support project workplans.
• Following SPR’s data security protocols, procedures, and Quality Assurance requirements within project tasks.
• Maintaining version control programs within SPR’s team of research programmers across divisions.
• Assisting in the collection of quantitative data through data downloads, d data security protocol.
• Assisting in the administration of paper/online surveys through survey set-up in Alchemer and assistance with survey tracking.

The Location: SPR is conveniently located right on top of the City Center BART station in downtown Oakland. The building plaza has great food options for lunch, and we are just a few blocks away from Chinatown restaurants. Our location in Oakland also allows us to be in close contact with many of the communities we support through our work. Please note that SPR is following all current, applicable state and county health and operating orders, and this position may not have immediate access to the physical SPR office. Once we resume regular operations, SPR will continue to flexibly offer hybrid at-home/in-office schedules for staff. 

Other Information: In this role, you can expect to work in an office environment; occasional lifting up to 40 lbs; frequent telephone usage; extensive computer use; use of office machines; heavy keyboarding. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. SPR offers excellent benefits, including health, dental, vision, and 401k plan.

How to Apply:  This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search.

For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President
aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) is seeking a Senior SAS Research Programmer for full-time employment in our Workforce and Human Services Division.  We are a growing and dynamic research, evaluation, and technical assistance firm located in Oakland, CA. Currently, we are seeking applications for a qualified, full-time entry- to mid-level researcher to join our team and collectively help carry out evaluations of programs focused on improving employment stability and economic self-sufficiency for low-income populations. 

The Company: At SPR, we believe in providing rigorous, high quality research, evaluation, training and technical assistance to improve the well-being of diverse groups of individuals, families, organizations, and communities.   SPR’s work spans multiple areas of social policy, often focusing on supporting our clients with workforce development, employment training, education, philanthropy, youth development, health, and other human service issues.  Over the past 25 years, SPR has earned national recognition for our work in evaluating the role of philanthropic and public-sector investments in policies and programs designed to improve outcomes for diverse populations across the country. Our clients consistently share an appreciation of the analytic lens and technical rigor that we bring to our work, and our ability to engage real-time data to inform continuous learning and iterative strategy improvements. For more information about SPR, please visit our website at www.spra.com.  

What We Are Looking For: An Equal Opportunity Employer and federal contractor, SPR is an organization that values a staff with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability and veteran status (EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled).   

All candidates must meet all the following requirements to be considered for this position:

• Graduate degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or social sciences and 5+ years of work experience; or bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or social sciences and 7+ years of work experience.
• Experience in programming and managing data sets in SAS. 
• Demonstrated strength in successfully developing and managing large datasets created from multiple sources.
• Demonstrated strength in statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated interests in issue areas relevant to SPR project portfolios.
• Strong analytic skills and ability to write in clear, accurate, and well‐organized manner for non‐technical audiences.
• Ability to work professionally and productively within a team context, including excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and to manage multiple priorities and deadlines and complete assigned tasks. 
• Self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented work style, as well as ability to multi-task across multiple projects.
• Experience working with data visualization software such as R Shiny and Tableau.
• Experience working in GitHub and/or employing quality assurance practices with reproducibility in mind.
• Experience with R or Stata is a plus.
• Experience working with PII data.
• Experience working with geospatial data is a plus.
• Experience accessing data via APIs and web-scraping is a plus.

The Position:  The Senior SAS Research Programmer at SPR has key responsibilities for working within multiple project teams to implement research and evaluation studies.  Specific duties will vary by previous experience and research skills, but may include a mix of the following: 

• Developing and managing data files in various formats and developing public use datasets with associated documentation.
• Developing programs for statistical analysis.
• Creating analytic files per project team requests.
• Developing reproducible programs for data management tasks.
• Developing skills in programming languages deemed necessary for project data development across SPR projects (SAS, Stata, and/or R).
• Leading data-related tasks to support project workplans.
• Following SPR’s data security protocols, procedures, and Quality Assurance requirements within project tasks.
• Maintaining version control programs within SPR’s team of research programmers across divisions.
• Helping prepare portions of reports and proposals, including both writing and data displays. 
• Production of tables or preparation of material to support analyses.
• Assisting in the collection of quantitative data through data downloads, d data security protocol.
• Assisting in the administration of paper/online surveys through survey set-up in Alchemer and assistance with survey tracking.

The Location: SPR is conveniently located right on top of the City Center BART station in downtown Oakland. The building plaza has great food options for lunch, and we are just a few blocks away from Chinatown restaurants. Our location in Oakland also allows us to be in close contact with many of the communities we support through our work. Please note that SPR is following all current, applicable state and county health and operating orders, and this position may not have immediate access to the physical SPR office. Once we resume regular operations, SPR will continue to flexibly offer hybrid at-home/in-office schedules for staff. 

Other Information: In this role, you can expect to work in an office environment; occasional lifting up to 40 lbs; frequent telephone usage; extensive computer use; use of office machines; heavy keyboarding. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. SPR offers excellent benefits, including health, dental, vision, and 401k plan.

How to Apply:  This search is being managed by our Executive Search Partner, Insight Executive Search.

 For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

 Aaron Schmidt, President

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

Director, Research, Planning & Evaluation

JFM Consulting Group – Detroit MI

Do you want to have an impact on the future of Detroit, the region and beyond?

Let’s explain what we do and what you’d be doing with us.

Who is JFM?

JFM Consulting Group is a Detroit-based consulting firm that helps businesses, foundations, nonprofits and government agencies create and manage programs focused on creating positive community change. We work across many sectors including community development, public health, education, and the arts. We do four things very well as partners with our clients: (1) develop effective and culturally-responsive strategies, programs and initiatives; (2) gather and analyze data to measure progress and success, and to inform decision-making; (3) identify data driven solutions to create positive social change; and, (4) produce high quality, utilization-focused products and deliverables tailored to target audiences. 

How do we work?

We work in partnership with our clients and their stakeholders.  We begin by getting a clear, shared understanding of the challenges our clients are facing and trying to solve.  Next, we   co-develop an approach that meets client needs through planning, evaluation or other applied research.  Using a range of methods, we support our clients by providing the necessary data to inform key decisions.  In partnership with clients and communities, JFM develops products—strategies, reports, and tools to meet their needs.  Lastly, to better position our clients to continue moving forward when our engagement ends, we integrate capacity building where possible.

What’s it like to work with JFM?

Join us and you’ll have the opportunity to use and grow your passions and skills to develop and measure programs and initiatives impacting Detroit, the region and beyond. The relaxed and congenial atmosphere at JFM is one where collaboration, creativity and independence are highly valued. If you like bureaucracy or need detailed management, it’s likely you won’t be happy here. However, you will be happy if you: are self-directed; love working with a highly competent team; and, want to have an impact on our company, yourself and the organizations and communities that we serve. 

What does this position involve?

The Director, Research, Planning & Evaluation will work closely with all members of the JFM team to undertake a range of tasks, including conceptualizing and designing approaches to research, implementing evaluations, and facilitating planning sessions.  The Director, Research, Planning & Evaluation will serve in an advisory and, at times, team leader capacity to other members of the team, ensuring projects are implemented in a timely fashion while maintaining a consistent, high level of quality.  This person will also work closely with the President to support the implementation of strategies designed to support the development and growth of the firm and will share business development responsibilities.  

Researchers who are excited by the prospect of facilitating learning and capacity building that contribute to measurable community change by working in partnership with JFM’s nonprofit, philanthropic and public sector partners will be a good fit for this role.  Successful candidates are also natural problem solvers with very strong analytical and interpersonal skills. JFM’s successful candidate is comfortable working in diverse communities, has a deep commitment to racial justice, and utilizes a culturally responsive evaluation (and planning) framework in conducting research.   

What We’re Looking For…  

Essential Functions / Roles

• Lead and provide supervision and support to JFM team in the areas of project conceptualization and design, project management, and quality management
• Work with diverse individuals and organizations, including a wide-range of clients and community members
• Utilize strong critical and strategic thinking skills to solve problems
• Design and facilitate effective and interactive planning processes, listening sessions, collaborative meetings, etc. 
• Utilize solid qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills, and data visualization to deliver services and products that exceed client expectations 
• Successfully implement and provide team support and, as needed, team leadership to keep multiple projects on track 
• Assist in cultivating new business for JFM by developing proposals and supporting the development of new projects
• Implement priority projects as requested by the President
• Work with clients to ensure an excellent customer experience
  

Preferred Qualifications

• • At least 8-10 years of experience in planning, research and/or evaluation
  • Superb written and oral communications skills, including report writing
  • Demonstrated ability to manage projects from conceptualization through timely completion
  • Considerable facilitation experience
  • Passion for understanding client needs and building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships
  • Ability to engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders… from CEOs to neighborhood leaders
  • Self-starter and self-manager who enjoys a dynamic work environment
  • Master’s degree or higher in research, analytics or social science fields
  • Flexible, and collaborative style that builds trust, collegiality and confidence with and among staff
• Bonus:  Fluency in a second language would be valuable

Other job-related info

• This is a full-time position.  We are looking for someone who wants to commit and grow with the firm, and JFM is committed to supporting your growth and development. 
• Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States and not require visa sponsorship.
• Due to COVID-19, the JFM team is currently working remotely, and will consider remote candidates.  However, due to the nature of our work, and the need to build strong team and client relationships, we would prefer someone who is currently local or willing to relocate.

Benefits

JFM offers health, dental and vision insurance for all team members.  We also offer a Simple IRA with an employer matching contribution, and generous paid time off and parental leave policies. 

Think this is for you?

JFM Consulting Group has retained the services of Insight Executive Search for this role.  For more information or to apply for the position, please contact:

Aaron Schmidt, President

Insight Executive Search

aaron.schmidt@insightexecutivesearch.com

JFM is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team of  qualified applicants that reflects diverse backgrounds and perspectives. 

We recognize that diverse teams make the strongest teams, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

The American Institutes for Research (AIR), one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations founded more than 60 years ago, conducts and applies the best behavioral and social science research to improve people’s lives, especially the disadvantaged. Within AIR’s Policy, Practice, and Systems Change (PP&SC) Service Area, we address social challenges in health, education, and workforce solutions across the U.S. and abroad. 

In the health area, AIR’s work promotes health (physical, social, emotional and mental); prevents illness, injury, and violence; and provides better and more efficient health care. Our work in education addresses all areas of teaching and learning from pre-K through higher education in such areas as early childhood education, special education, science, technology, engineering, and math, English language learners, college and career pathways, and so much more. To address workforce challenges, we provide preparation and training and analyze needs in particular industries. All strategies aim to be culturally and linguistically competent.

AIR is seeking a Principal Communication Expert with the background and experience to build and lead efforts both domestically and internationally in building the evidence base for and designing and evaluating major communication and behavior change campaigns, with a primary focus on health and well-being. To the extent that there are opportunities to apply these skills to our education and workforce areas, this person would be the lead in doing so. 

This position will be responsible for leading new business development, and development of strategies and proposals to major federal agencies, states and foundations. He/she will also oversee staff and projects working on large-scale communication and behavior-change projects. AIR is seeking an experienced communications expert, also skillful in new areas of digital communication, and with the ability to conduct the formative research, conceptualize creative strategies to reach key audiences, and to evaluate and assess progress. Prior experience with a similar firm doing business in this marketplace will be an asset. 

Responsibilities

• Lead in developing a future vision to grow more AIR work in design, delivery, and evaluation of communication campaigns, with strong theoretical grounding and skills in new digital channels. 
• Cultivate federal agency, state and foundation clients
• Work with staff to conceptualize and write winning proposals
• Oversee and play a role on current projects 
• Design and conduct strategic and effective formative research and design evaluation plans and tools to support communication activities. 
• As necessary, develop research protocols, screeners, Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) applications; conduct communication research through focus groups, • In-depth Interviews, surveys, etc. 
• Design and conduct or direct formative research activities to describe segmented audiences and test messages and concepts, including using new online research tools to conduct formative research and usability studies. 
• Based on health communication, behavior change, and/or social marketing theory, design and implement process and outcome evaluation to guide campaigns and communication activities across various projects and in various communication channels. 
• Identify and design metrics and data collection efforts to evaluate the process and impact of multi-channel (including digital) communication activities. 
• Identify and cultivate key partner organizations and consultants for successful bids. 
• Give presentations at national conferences. 
• Publish articles and monographs. 

Qualifications

CHIEF SCIENTIST, HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH

MedStar Health, the largest healthcare provider in the Maryland-Washington, DC, region, is investing in the development of a significant, nationally impactful health services research program through the MedStar Health Research Institute, intended to achieve excellence in Health Services Research by conducting patient-centered outcomes research that can be applied and disseminated to improve patient health of the general population, including those served by the MedStar Health System.

MedStar Health Research Institute (MHRI) is seeking a visionary leader and experienced Health Services Researcher to fill a newly developed scientific leadership position.  This position will have the primary responsibility of leading, developing, and continuing to build MHRI’s system-wide health services research program at MedStar Health. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

• Lead the expansion of the existing health services research program in collaboration with MedStar Health Research Institute, MedStar Quality & Safety, MedStar Institute for Innovation, and Georgetown University.
• Build the health services research extramural funding portfolio both as principal investigator and by mentoring, developing, and recruiting other principal investigators.
• Effectively work with MedStar Health clinical and administrative leadership to implement the health services research program, and, by virtue of implementations sciences, facilitate the integration of novel programs in the MedStar Health distributed care delivery network, informed by MedStar’s health services research program.
• Lead the development of a nationally recognized applied academic HSR program, via the dissemination of results through a variety of venues including peer-reviewed publications, workshops, and presentations at scientific meetings.
• Lead the establishment and high-trajectory growth of the health services research program by mentoring other investigators in the design, conduct and dissemination of health services research projects
• Consistently demonstrates support for compliance in the performance of job duties and responsibilities by a) developing and maintaining knowledge of, and performing job functions in compliance with, rules, regulations, policies, and statutes that affect his/her job; b) maintaining knowledge of and performing job functions in compliance with MedStar Health and MedStar Health Research Institute policies and procedures; and c) reporting compliance concerns in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

About MedStar Health

MedStar Health is a major healthcare delivery organization, largest in the Washington DC / Baltimore MD region, which serves as an unusually robust natural research laboratory, research network, and data source for Health Services Researchers.  Our single IRB covers all ten hospitals, service lines, population health products, and over 300 care delivery locations. MedStar Health has exceptional data availability through centralized sources such as: A custom-designed clinical data system, purchased by Microsoft in 2006 and maintained now as Caradigm and through an innovation relationship with Cerner.  Furthermore, MedStar has a growing population health initiative with over 140,000 covered lives, enabling research from the perspective if a payor in addition to that of a provider.

MedStar Health combines the best aspects of academic medicine, research, innovation and treatments with a complete spectrum of clinical services to advance patient care. MedStar has one of the largest graduate medical education programs in the country, training more than 1,100 medical residents annually, and it is the clinical and research partner of Georgetown University. A close association with Georgetown University provides additional research resources and collaborations in the basic and clinical sciences. As a $5 billion, not-for-profit, regional healthcare system based in the Baltimore-Washington region, MedStar Health is one of the largest employers in the region.

About MedStar Health Research Institute 

MedStar Health Research Institute (MHRI) provides scientific research infrastructure and administrative and regulatory support for research programs conducted at MedStar facilities. From basic science and investigator initiated research programs to Phase I-IV clinical trials, MHRI plans and conducts studies that advance medical knowledge and translate research into improved patient care.

The Institute’s core services include a biostatistics and epidemiological center, clinical research centers, a research pharmacy, two accredited pre-clinical laboratories, biochemistry and biomarker core laboratories, a core platelet center, a cardiac and vascular pathology center, a genetics/genomics/proteomics research core, a cardiovascular core imaging center, an institutional review board, and an office of research integrity. In the last year, more than 1,000 active studies, involving thousands of patients, resulted in more than 550 peer-reviewed publications. MHRI is in the top 20% of U.S. institutions receiving funds from the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies, with approximately 60% of its studies being federally funded.

We have a history of initiating projects, both in the laboratory and in the field, that serve the needs of medically underserved and disenfranchised groups. Located in one of the most culturally diverse regions of the United States, we serve as a national resource for researchers and policymakers concerned about the health care of ethnic minorities, women, and the disabled. We provide scientific, administrative, and regulatory support for research funded by local, state, and federal government; private foundations; and private industry. MHRI also manages a wide-range of community health programs associated with its translational research programs.

The transformational nature of our research – from bench to bedside to community – complements the key clinical services and teaching programs in MedStar’s hospitals and in the diverse communities MedStar serves.  Our research activities continue to lead to successful interventions for larger, system-wide implementation.  Some examples of our success in large scale implementation include MedStar’s system-wide interventions around safety event disclosure, root cause analyses, and dissemination.  These interventions have emanated from research efforts conducted on a smaller scale.  We continue to be well-positioned to scale other interventions in a similar manner. 

Assets that the HSR Leader may leverage: 

• Academic Appointment at Georgetown University that is commensurate with the candidate’s expertise and track record
• Access to a cadre of highly reputable, qualified researchers within the MedStar Health Research Institute, MedStar Institute for Innovation, National Center for Human Factors Engineering, MedStar Simulation and Education Lab, the Quality and Safety Department, and other MedStar organizations
• Access to MedStar Health’s administrative, billing, and clinical data generated within one of the largest, most diverse health care delivery systems in the US
• Access to the full suite of research administrative infrastructure through the MedStar Health Research Institute.
• Dedicated administrative, statistical, and research support
• Direct access to MedStar Health system leadership
• Protected time for leadership activities.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• The desired candidate is an Associate or Full Professor level (or equivalent from non-academic research settings) candidate. 
• A doctoral degree in a public health or related field (PhD, ScD, DrPH, or equivalent), or a doctoral clinical degree with significant research training and experience (MD, DNSc, etc) with substantial postdoctoral training and experience in public health, health services research, clinical epidemiology or health policy analysis is required. 
• Experience in dissemination, implementation, and evaluation with a working knowledge of health economics/finance is desired.
• A track record of success in publishing articles in major research/health services/health policy/medical journals
• A track record of success in obtaining peer reviewed funding from public and/or private sources
• Candidates with experience overseeing a team and mentoring young investigators are strongly preferred

MedStar Health Research Institute is an EO employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category.

San Francisco Office

Who We Are Seeking

Harder+Company Community Research seeks a seasoned evaluator/applied researcher with at least 10 years of experience related to systems change and systems evaluation. This position will contribute to our existing body of work helping social sector clients design and evaluate their systems change efforts, and play a key role in expanding our footprint in this field.

Strong Evaluation and Applied Research Skills: You are an experienced evaluator who has had increasing levels of responsibility for designing and leading a wide range of evaluation efforts. You are able to design and implement complex evaluation designs infusing rigorous methodology when appropriate. Your evaluation toolkit includes a broad array of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and you possess exceptional conceptual and analytic skills. You are able to apply your technical skills to multiple content areas, and can help clients and project teams draw connections across those different areas. 

Deep Systems Change Experience: You have deep, hands-on experience helping social sector organizations design and evaluate systems change efforts.  Among other things, this means you have professional experience working with networks and collaborations of organizations, partners, and communities working towards a common purpose aimed at reforming or improving social sector service delivery systems. Through your close partnerships with social sector clients you understand the complexities and challenges of operating multifaceted, dynamic systems.

You apply your deep technical skills to systems change evaluation by identifying the contributions being made at multiple levels, and are able to help participating partners understand their contribution. You are able to adapt traditional and creative evaluation methods in order to determine the approaches most appropriate for assessing systems change.

Collaborative Work Style + Project Leadership: You have experience as a consultant, and know how to guide clients and project teams through complex, large-scale engagements that evolve over time. You are able to hear what clients need and can transform that insight into creative, workable solutions that strengthen client understanding of their own work.

The people you have worked for and with would say you are a valued thought partner who supports mutual and continuous learning. Your colleagues describe you as approachable, respectful and collaborative, and say that you are particularly adept at developing professional relationships and working in teams. You are prepared to negotiate different personalities, complex politics, and above all, remain collected, calm, and confident. You look for innovation and opportunities to leverage new knowledge into your own work and the work of your colleagues. 

Skills + Experience You Bring

The ideal candidate will draw upon skills and experiences in evaluation design, project management, and client communication, including:

• A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in social sciences or related field
• At least 10 years of experience designing and leading large-scale, cross-sector systems change evaluation and planning projects. Preferred experience in the areas of early learning, health, mental health, education, and housing.
• At least 10 years of significant experience managing complex client relationships preferably with philanthropic and state and local government clients.
• A broad and deep methodological “toolkit” that has proven effective in evaluating complex systems change efforts. This includes experience with formative, summative, and developmental evaluation, as well as creative applications of traditional evaluation qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Outstanding writing and communication skills and ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels, including a proven ability to describe and present evaluation findings for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to maintain positive and professional interactions with clients, community partners, community members, and fellow team members.
• High level of capability bringing cultural humility to all engagements and a proven track record of designing and implementing multiple approaches to data collection with linguistically and/or culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to anticipate challenges and identify appropriate solutions.
• Flexibility and an ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

This position will be based in Harder+Company’s San Francisco office and will report to the Vice President of Northern California. Excellent benefits including short- and long- term disability, life insurance, medical, dental, vacation, holiday, and 401k provided. This position is full time with an annual starting salary of $105,000 and commensurate with experience. Harder+Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.

Typical physical demands include:

• Working on a computer for 6 hours, on average, each day
• Lifting and moving documents and supplies
• Bending to file and retrieve documents
• Local and out of state travel (client meetings, data collection, conferences)

More About Harder+Company

Who we are: Harder+Company helps public agencies, foundations, and nonprofits to learn about their impact and sharpen their strategies to advance social change. Since 1986, we have blended sophisticated research methods with real-world insights to help clients better understand their work. Among other things, our consultants conduct rigorous evaluations, guide learning processes, help clients engage community members, and advise clients on strategies for the future. For more information about our firm, visit our website: www.harderco.com.

How we do our work: We use creative, culturally-responsive approaches to engaging communities and building the capacity of our clients and their partners. We engage our clients as partners to ensure that our approaches meet their needs and the needs of their stakeholders. Our dynamic, inclusive consulting approach allows our clients to reflect and develop new strategies over time. Our clients see our engagements as an opportunity to improve and leverage new information to strengthen programs and create lasting systems change.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion: Harder+Company is committed to embracing and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in how we work with clients and with one another. This commitment exists within the broader context of the firm’s beliefs that diversity is essential to our work and equity is central to social change. The company has been a leader in using culturally-based, equity-oriented methods with clients and communities for many years. Within our company, we actively strive to create an environment where open dialogue, fairness, and inclusivity enable staff to do their best work.

American Institutes for Research: Health Services: Principal Researcher

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Public Policy and Research Scientist

CUTTING EDGE PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH

We are focused on high-risk, high-reward research to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use in the United States, particularly among youth and young adults. The Schroeder Institute at Truth Initiative is a multidisciplinary research group focused on reducing the disease burden of tobacco use behavior.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE

The Public Policy and Research Scientist’s role is to assist Truth Initiative’s leadership in conducting and coordinating science and policy-related research to help inform youth and young adult tobacco-related policy and practice. Public policy and research projects may also include areas such as: SI commissioned research studies, knowledge synthesis papers, convening strategic consensus meetings, and comments and other regulatory submissions, mostly but not exclusively at the federal level. In this role, you will lead and participate in internally and existing externally-funded projects, grants and contracts and supervise a team of staff involved in this work. You will provide scientific expertise on tobacco science and policy implications to Truth Initiative and to the broader tobacco control community.

• Assume administrative responsibilities related to the coordination of Tobacco Policy and Research Science, including the management of outside vendors working on research projects that advance Truth Initiative’s policy goals;
• Supervise a team of staff involved in policy-related projects;
• Manage relationships with advocacy, legal, policy, and scientific partners;
• Serve as the lead for internal and external requests related to tobacco science, law, and policy and work closely with other Truth Initiative departments to coordinate efforts;
• Facilitate strategic efforts to build SI’s research in this area; and
• Perform research to inform the regulation of tobacco products and other areas that align with the organizational mission and goals

WHAT YOU BRING TO US

You should have experience as a research scientist at the equivalent academic level of assistant or associate professor. You should also have experience using scientific evidence in the development of public policy.

You will have a doctorate in public health, economics, health policy, or other social science; have a strong record or demonstrated potential of scholarly research, including content-relevant peer-reviewed publications.

You’re an excellent scientist who embraces team science and who can develop an independent line of research that extends the mission of the Schroeder Institute at Truth Initiative.

 COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Salary is competitive based on experience with EXCELLENT benefits.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status or disability.

MEF Associates- Senior Research Associate, Early Childhood

HopeLab: Director, Research Operations

LEAP Innovations: Measurement Associate- Instrumentation

BACKGROUND

Connecting innovation and education to dramatically transform the way students learn, LEAP Innovations® leads the nation in developing and scaling personalized learning practices, technology and innovations in classrooms throughout the US. Located at 1871, Chicago’s premier incubator for technology and entrepreneurship, LEAP is quickly positioning Chicago as the national hub for education innovation. LEAP has also launched the country’s first personalized learning framework and survey tools to measure practice in and beyond the classroom. Sponsored by major foundations and donors, LEAP currently works with over 90 schools across the Chicagoland area, improving the lives of thousands of students. LEAP also leads the Learning Assembly, a national network of organizations dedicated to scaling education innovation across the country. Winner of the 2016 Chicago Innovation Award for social innovation, LEAP Innovations is poised to increase our reach and impact by deploying our thought leadership, services and tools across the country.

POSITION

LEAP is seeking a Measurement Associate to join our growing research and evaluation team. LEAP is developing a suite of personalized learning tools both internally and with external partners to provide school leaders and teachers with data to support school personalized learning innovation efforts, to inform professional development choices, and to contribute to the growing evidence base around personalized learning. LEAP considers expanding the evidence base relating personalized learning teacher practices and school structures and policies to outcomes for students a critical part of our growth strategy. Our ideal candidate will have expertise in measure development, data collection and operations, and survey reporting and delivery, as well as survey management and project management. The Measurement Associate will lead several projects (surveys, observations, qualitative, etc.) currently at different stages of development (e.g., design, operations, reporting) and will be an important voice in designing and supporting our overall research agenda. RESPONSIBILTIES • Apply best practices to survey design, operations, and reporting;
• Develop new measurement tools, expanding LEAP’s expertise and capacity;
• Support and contribute to LEAP’s research agenda;
• Author technical reports and user documentation of tools, or manage vendor process for creation, as part of project deliverables;
• Carry out project management activities, including monitoring contract timelines and budgets, supervising the work of junior staff, communicating with senior managers, and communicating with clients as appropriate;
• Collect and manage data for projects;
• Directly support schools and districts with the planning and preparation for survey administration as well as classroom observations;
• Engage in business development activities, including cultivating relationships with existing and potential new survey clients, and managing or writing proposals;
• Support collaboration among team members, both internal and external to LEAP, and contribute to a positive work environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate should enjoy working in a dynamic, results-oriented environment in which expectations are high for both the quality and speed of work. In addition, s/he should have the following:
• Ph.D. degree (with 2-3 years related experience preferred) or M.A., M.S., or equivalent degree with 3-5 years related experience in survey research;
• Demonstrated management skills, including the ability to lead small and medium sized projects and tasks, provide day-to-day management of more complex projects and tasks, and direct and mentor staff members;
• Experience with statistical programming languages (R preferred) and statistical modelling (HLM preferred);
• Knowledge of personalized learning models and relevant research is a plus;
• Experience working in a grant or contract-funded environment highly desirable;
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills;
• Flexibility and ability to consistently meet deadlines;
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team;
• Acute attention to detail and strong work ethic.

Committee for Children: Senior Research Scientist

Department: Programs, Partnerships and Research

Reports To: Director of Programs, Partnerships, and Research

Job Summary

The Senior Research Scientist will be responsible for planning, designing, implementing and managing evaluation projects. The Senior Research Scientist will work with research scientists, both internal and external to the organization, in writing funding proposals, designing studies (including randomized control trial designs), identifying and contracting with evaluation sites, creating instruments and data collection procedures, managing databases, analyzing data (using advanced statistical methods, including hierarchical linear modeling and longitudinal data analytic models), and communicating results via scientific publications and conference presentations. In addition, this position will provide research expertise for curriculum development projects.

Essential Functions

1. Provides research expertise for product development (40%)

• Conduct literature reviews and translate current research to be used by product teams in the creation/ revision of products
• Assist development teams in incorporating research appropriately into products
• Identify, develop, and manage research consultants and contractors to help with product development
• Utilize evaluation methodology to iteratively test prototypes of products during the development phase

2. Plan, design, implement, and manage scientifically rigorous applied research and evaluation studies of our products (25%)

• Work on various product teams to support gathering of product metrics and inform improvement process
• Plan and design evaluations of our products
• Execute evaluation plans including data collection and data analysis
• Identify, develop, and manage partnerships with contract evaluators if necessary
• Write reports and detail implications from evaluations of our products

3. Effectively provides information about CfC programs to a variety of audiences. (20%)

• Travels on business related to obtaining knowledge for the development of programs or work-related skills, conference presentations, and/or professional development.
• Provides information or training to clients and other external individuals about the content of our program

4. Contributes collaboratively with other department members in support of general program development content (10%)

• Review and provide content for other departments (i.e. Marketing, Communications, International, NMV)

5. Provide mentorship and leadership to junior research team members. (5%)

Organization Wide Essential Functions

1. Demonstrate customer service focus.
2. Develop and maintain effective working relationships.
3. Maintain regular and predictable attendance of set work schedule.
4. Perform other tasks as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience:

• Ph.D. in clinical, social or developmental psychology, education, or related field.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with evaluation research methodologies, database management, measurement and data analysis.
• A minimum of 5-7 years experience designing and conducting applied research and program evaluation, preferably in the area of prevention.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Experience translating research into interventions or programs.
• Experience working in and contributing to collaborative research teams.
• Expert knowledge of prevention research, education research, teacher training, implementation science.
• A publication record with at least 3 first author publications, preferably in the area of prevention.
• Ability to develop expertise in new issue areas quickly.
• Experience developing relationships and partnerships with other organizations.
• Excellent computer skills are required: Microsoft Office programs, SPSS, HLM, AMOS and other data bases.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team. Candidate must be able to get along with others and have strong interpersonal skills.
• Must be organized, logical, and able to follow directions, and have strong time management skills. Ability to meet deadlines on multiple projects.
• Must have enthusiasm for learning new skills and accepting challenges.
• Must be able to maintain detailed, accurate records.

Working Conditions: The information described below represents the physical activities and surroundings one may encounter when performing the duties of this

position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is in a general office environment with heavy computer use.
• The noise level in the office environment is quiet to moderate.
• Incumbent is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The position requires local travel and occasional out-of-state overnight travel (up to) 20% of the time. Travel may be related to: 1) obtaining knowledge for the development of programs or work-related skills; 2) conference presentations; 3) professional development.

Committee for Children (CFC): Director, Research:

Department: Research and Impact                                                      

Reports To: VP, Research and Impact                                                          

Job Summary

This position manages and leads the research team in ensuring high-quality research-based CfC products to increase impact on the children and youth they serve. In addition, this role ensures that appropriate tracking is put in place to measure the effectiveness, success, and implementation of our products. This role will provide organizational leadership and strategic guidance on how best to support evaluation and continuous improvement of our products in order to reach greater impact.

Essential Functions

1. Strategic development and execution (25%)

• Provide organizational leadership in developing strategic direction for research, evaluation, and measuring product success and impact
• Develops appropriate outcomes and indicators to help CfC monitor the success of its mission related goals and objectives
• Supports products by gathering data metrics and informing the continuous improvement process
• Ensure that product teams use a research based approach to product development
• Develop strategic external relationships and partnerships to inform and support the research and evaluation work of CfC
• Establish and maintain information management processes to collect and share information about research, internally and externally

2. Plan, design, implement, and manage scientifically rigorous applied research and evaluation studies of our products (25%)

• Identify organizational evaluation needs and develop methodological plans to execute on these evaluations.
• Work on various product teams to support gathering of product metrics and inform improvement process
• Identify, develop, and manage partnerships with contract evaluators.
• Collaborate in developing scientifically rigorous applied research and evaluation funding proposals.
• Collaborate in writing research reports for sponsoring agencies, public presentations and scientific publications.

3. Effectively provides information about CfC programs to a variety of audiences. (25%)

• Travels on business related to obtaining knowledge for the development of programs or work-related skills, conference presentations, and/or professional development.
• Provides information or training to clients and other external individuals about the content of our program

4. Manage and supervise the research team (25%)

• Build and strengthen research team
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and support to build their capacity to further the mission of the organization
• Manage workload, allocates resources

Organization Wide Essential Functions                        

1. Demonstrate customer service focus.
2. Develop and maintain effective working relationships.
3. Maintain regular and predictable attendance of set work schedule.
4. Perform other tasks as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience:

• D. in clinical, social or developmental psychology, education, or related field.
• Advanced knowledge in translating research into intervention programming.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with evaluation research methodologies, database management, measurement and data analysis.
• A minimum of 7-10 years experience translating research and/ or designing and conducting applied research and program evaluation, preferably in the area of prevention.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of supervising/ managing staff.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• A publication record with at least 3 first author publications, preferably in the area of prevention.
• A proven track record of obtaining grant funding for research and evaluation projects.
• Ability to develop expertise in new issue areas quickly.
• Experience developing relationships and partnerships with other organizations.
• Excellent computer skills are required:  Microsoft Office programs, SPSS, HLM, AMOS and other data bases.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to think strategically and develop innovative ways to determine success and effectivenss
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.  Candidate must be able to get along with others and have strong interpersonal skills.
• Must be organized, logical, and able to follow directions, and have strong time management skills. Ability to meet deadlines on multiple projects.
• Must have enthusiasm for learning new skills and accepting challenges.
• Must be able to maintain detailed, accurate records. 

Working Conditions:  The information described below represents the physical activities and surroundings one may encounter when performing the duties of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is in a general office environment with heavy computer use.
• The noise level in the office environment is quiet to moderate.
• Incumbent is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The position requires local travel and occasional out-of-state overnight travel (up to) 25% of the time. Travel may be related to: 1) obtaining knowledge for the development of programs or work-related skills; 2) conference presentations; 3) professional development.

Vice President, Education Technology for Teaching and Learning

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent, nonpartisan not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to conduct and apply the best behavioral and social science research and evaluation to improve lives, especially the disadvantaged. AIR is seeking an outstanding candidate with a national reputation in education technology innovations, one who has been a leader in developing strategy and has demonstrated experience in executing such solutions as networked learning/improvement communities, personalized learning, technology-enabled learning, and other approaches at the national, state, and local levels. 

The person in this role will have major responsibility for leading and shaping AIR’s work nationally in the field of education, specifically in strengthening the capacity of states and districts to improve teaching and learning, apply technology to personalized learning, and develop teachers’ skills and competencies through innovative approaches to professional development. You will contribute to and manage projects that provide training and technical assistance, utilizing technology-enabled approaches in such areas as: special education, English language learners, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

This position will be located in one of the following AIR offices – Washington, DC; Rockville, MD; Chicago, IL; Naperville, IL; San Mateo, CA; Austin, TX; or Waltham, MA. Washington, DC area is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the leadership team for the Policy, Practice, and Systems Change (PP&SC) Service Area – the unit within AIR’s Professional Services Division that applies research and evidence to improve lives. This VP will help to shape the vision and pathway for building AIR’s future work in K-12 education innovations. 
• Create and execute a strategic plan to grow and build new work across the nation, and internationally as opportunities exist.
• Serve as a thought leader and expert in strengthening Federal, state and district level technical assistance efforts focused on designing and delivering technology-enabled solutions 
• Work with AIR’s Strategy Office and Practice Area leaders to identify new opportunities, cultivate funding sources, conceptualize approaches, contribute to writing, and conduct critical technical reviews of major proposals and grant applications
• Oversee a range of projects to ensure high quality performance and client satisfaction. 
• Set, monitor, and meet financial targets, as well as oversee financial metrics on projects and business development initiatives
• Hire individual staff members and manage a diverse team of individuals and project teams of approximately 100 staff throughout the US
• Develop plans, with staff and AIR’s Communications Department, to achieve preeminence for AIR’s applied work in this field through presentations at major conferences, publications, visits with clients, etc.
• Foster collaboration across Professional Services with a mindset that all efforts are directed at leveraging talent and opportunities on behalf of one AIR for success and growth. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant field (e.g., Education, Program Administration, Organizational Change, Leadership); PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience, including 5+ years in a leadership/managerial role in a Federal, state, or district setting; foundation; or professional services firm; with a successful track record of leading and implementing an education technology agenda
• Established networks in the field (federal, state, local government; foundations; and the private sector) with a willingness to draw on, cultivate, and expand relationships on behalf of AIR
• Familiar with trends and funding opportunities from Federal and state agencies, foundations and corporations. 
• Strong track record of conceptualizing and writing winning grants and proposals to obtain project funding
• Ability to manage and support large projects and a large staff (i.e., multi-million annual revenue and ~100 staff in unit)
• Experience in building SEA and LEA capacity to support technology-enabled learning
• Demonstrated ability to develop a rapport with and lead mission-driven teams with both internal (staff) members and external (subcontractor and consultant) members
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, the ability to listen and understand concerns, and the ability to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences, both internal and external.

Responsibilities

Qualifications