As our Director of Research, you will play an essential role in advancing EA’s mission by leading our research project teams, responsible for implementing and assessing the impact of evidence-based tools, resources, and strategies for creating and sustaining equitable learning and working environments. You will both maintain the organization's commitment to rigorous, collaborative, and practitioner informed research as well as live our values through internal management of team members.
Our Director of Research has a pivotal role in research design and analysis, strategy, and people management. Working with their team, they will lead the design, development, and execution of EA’s research projects and evidence-based interventions and/or tools. They simultaneously hold the big picture of EA’s work as a whole, while maintaining attention to project details and the needs of employees, the business, and our external stakeholders. They ensure that research projects are scoped with fidelity, executed in accordance with best practices, and that both research and internal practices remain aligned with EA’s mission, values, and strategic plans.
Director of Research
NOW HIRING
Remote
Full-Time Position
Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time.
- Collaborate with team members on the preparation of reports, briefs, and presentations for different audiences, including academic conferences, proposals, and press briefings
- Represent EA in public engagements (workshops, webinars, conferences) as needed
- Contribute to grant and funder reports, including budget reporting and framing, as well as providing feedback and direction to research scientist(s) on direction, altitude, and focus of grant report or funder report content, as needed
Writing & External Communications
- Directly maintain, and also oversee through management of the project team, strong and effective relationships with varied stakeholders, such as researchers, practitioners, and partner organizations, as well as occasional engagement with funders
- Work with Leadership Team on creating and maintaining engagement with EA research consultants and affiliates and support Chief Strategy Officer in development of revenue generating offerings based on research knowledge and insights
Relationship Management & Research Engagement
- Manage multiple direct reports in the research team, leading by example in alignment with EA’s values of fostering equity, a person-first culture, change through collaboration, evidence-based work, and a growth-mindset culture
- Management at EA includes leading bi-weekly 1:1s with direct reports, providing clear and supportive feedback to employees, formal feedback and evaluation sessions, and other professional development of staff, both at the research and professional level
- Supports research scientist(s) in research development and as needed with troubleshooting and challenges
- Assist in hiring and onboarding new staff, and offboarding staff as needed
Management of Direct Reports
- Design, development and implementation of research activities, including identifying feasible research questions, grant preparation, observational and intervention study methodologies, quantitative and qualitative analyses, the development of research materials and analytical plans. Approver of any significant changes of scope or deviations from contracted / established goals and vision for the project, particularly when they require renegotiation of contract terms with funder/client
- Work with project teams and EA leadership to translate research findings and EA evidence base to public-facing and scalable tools and resources
- Contribute to data analysis and interpretation for projects as requested
Research Theory, Design, & Conduct
- Oversee EA's research to ensure the continuous development of evidence based insights that will inform other service lines, through direct leadership of projects and/or through people management of responsible parties
- Ensure that projects are scoped appropriately, executed in accordance with professional standards and ethics in research, and that all project goals and deliverables are met within the necessary timeline and within budget
Management over EA’s Research Portfolio
duties & responsibilities
Adaptability and problem solving: Ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and address obstacles. Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Approaches work with a spirit of “yes” and readiness to adapt as things change, which they often do.
Interpersonal relationships: Finds (and creates) opportunities to deepen connections and build authentic, mutual relationships with team members and project partners across lines of difference. Transparent and genuine. Follows through on commitments. Seeks and engages well with feedback. Uses clear, precise, compassionate communication.
Exercises authority without asserting dominance: Brings a clear vision for applying empirical research in applied settings while also recognizing the value of divergent perspectives and lived experiences. Approaches role as a content area expert with a mindset of “power with” rather than “power over” and consults EA staff in planning and recommendations.
Initiative and ownership: Plans ahead and finds alternative paths, when needed, to get to the finish line. Bounces back from setbacks. Holds a high bar even when things are hectic. Consistently consults with others, but can also propose solutions in the best interest of the project and get things rolling without much guidance. Delegates skillfully.
key competencies
At EA, we welcome and encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds who can bring unique perspectives to the table. If you feel this position would be a good fit for you, please apply even if you don’t meet all of the listed criteria exactly.
As part of employment, you will be asked to complete the US govt’s Form I-9 after hire, which involves presenting certain documents proving identity and employment eligibility.
authorization to work in the us
- This position may require occasional travel for in-person meetings or events
- Staff will be required to take an equity-focused project management training
- This role requires CITI training and certification for human subjects research. This can be acquired on the job.
- Some partners with whom we contract may require that staff successfully undergo a background investigation or security clearance as a condition of working on certain projects. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance
Other requirements
- In depth knowledge of mindset research and practice
- Research strategy experience
- Grant writing experience
- Proficiency in project management tools and processes
preferred qualifications
- Ph.D. degree in empirical social sciences with deep understanding of the social psychological literature and ability to speak on EA’s evidence base both to those new and experienced in the field
- Expertise in managing a research agenda with multiple concurrent projects, including direct work in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting behavioral data; creating and conducting computer-controlled experiments; working with and recruiting sensitive patient populations
- Experience leading research teams and at least 3 years experience managing people as their direct supervisor, responsible for regular and formal feedback processes, hiring, and professional development
- Experience working with clients or other external groups - comfort leading meetings with external partners
- Strong methodological expertise, including observational, longitudinal, and experimental approaches
- Experience with script writing in R required
minimum qualifications
qualifications & REQUIREMENTS
- Fully Remote work - work from anywhere in the US
- Flexible schedules that balance autonomy and collaboration
- 42 days of paid time off (vacation, PTO, and paid holidays) annually
- 15 days of sick leave, earned at 1.25 days month
- $70/month internet stipend
- Collaborative, genuinely awesome colleagues from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds
- Medical benefits for employees and family members
- Dental insurance and vision discount plan
- Healthcare flexible spending account
- Dependent care assistance spending account
- 401k with 10% employer match at 5% employee contribution, beginning after 6 months of employment
- Employer provided life insurance
This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of $105,000-$120,000.
Salary & BENEFITS
To Apply
Interested? Please fill out the form here.
Note: you will not be able to save your draft so please plan to have a document link for your resume and cover letter ready before starting this application.
