Director of Research and Data Services

Job Summary and Purpose

The Director of Research and Data Services is a senior staff member who (1) manages, from design to completion, CRP’s diverse portfolio of community-focused research, evaluation, and data projects and services; (2) assures that projects meet accepted standards of rigor and quality within resource and time constraints; (3) undertakes direct project work, including data collection and analysis, report writing, and presentations; (4) leads and supervises CRP staff (currently 5 full-time staff and two graduate interns); (5) assists with resource development and prepares proposals and applications to secure contracts and grants; (6) works with the staff and board to implement CRP’s strategic plan; and (7) builds credibility, visibility, and positive relationships with funders, clients, community leaders, and state and national experts and organizations to enhance CRP’s reputation and help achieve the organization’s vision, mission, and business goals. Ultimately, we seek an excellent project manager who thinks like an elite researcher.

General Responsibilities

1. Manage, from design to completion, CRP’s diverse portfolio of community-focused applied and policy research, program evaluation, community data, and planning projects and services.
2. Assure that project methods and products meet accepted standards of rigor and quality within resource and time constraints.
3. Undertake direct project work, including data collection and analysis, report writing, and presentations.
4. Provide leadership, supervision, mentoring, and technical direction to CRP staff (currently 5 full-time staff and two graduate interns).
5. Participate in resource development and prepare proposals and applications to secure contracts and grants.
6. Work with the Executive Director, staff, and board to implement CRP’s strategic plan.
7. Build and maintain credibility, visibility, and positive relationships with funders, clients, program providers, community leaders, and state and national experts and organizations to enhance CRP’s reputation and help achieve the organization’s vision, mission, and business goals.

Essential Job Functions

1. Manage and implement projects and services, across a wide array of program and issue areas, within deadlines and budgets.
2. Prepare project proposals and scopes of service.
3. Employ a full range of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
4. Make use of project tracking and management technology for project planning, resource allocation, and quality improvement.
5. Adapt to, and quickly become familiar with, new program and policy areas and methodologies.
6. Produce high quality, useful print, presentation, and web-based products that make complex topics, data, and analysis understandable to a variety of users—from the general public to public officials—in narrative, tabular, and graphic formats.
7. Hire, supervise, advise, and direct CRP research staff.
8. Build and maintain positive relationships with clients, funders, program providers, community leaders and national experts.
9. Represent the organization at national, state and local meetings; at conferences; and in networks with a variety of agencies, groups and organizations.
10. Keep up-to-date on literature and practice related to CRP’s areas of focus and the duties of the position.
11. Effectively manage multiple tasks and work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Decision-Making Authority

1. Independently makes decisions related to management of subordinate staff and contractors; represents the organization with a variety of outside individuals and organizations; and carries out day-to-day activities related to essential job functions.
2. Provides recommendations and products for review and comment by the Executive Director and other CRP staff as appropriate.
3. Keeps Executive Director informed of issues related to research and evaluation projects and services, and seeks advice as needed.

equired Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

1. Advanced degree in public policy, urban planning, community development, education, psychology, sociology, or related discipline; Doctorate degree in one of the above disciplines desired, but not required.
2. At least five years of relevant experience, documented by a portfolio of articles published in peer-reviewed journals, written reports, analysis, presentations, or other materials; preference given to candidates with experience in multiple issue and policy areas.
3. Strong project management skills, with at least three years of experience in the successful implementation of community-focused contract/fee-for-service research projects.
4. Proven ability to motivate and encourage staff, resulting in high quality work, collaborative team performance, and ongoing efforts to increase knowledge and skill sets.
5. Thorough knowledge of, and proficiency in, the selection and implementation of qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methods and tools; and the design of research projects and protocols.
6. Strong writing, speaking, presentation, and facilitation skills.
7. Professional and interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with a wide range of people and diverse groups.
8. Proficient in the use of technology in all facets of work, including standard office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), database (Access), and statistical software (SAS, R, SPSS).
9. Ability to approach projects in a practical and entrepreneurial manner, with strong creative, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
10. A management and operating style suited to work in a small office setting, with limited support staff, where teamwork is highly valued.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

1. Familiarity with the central Ohio community and organizations.
2. Knowledge of human services, health, housing, education, employment, and/or community development policy, practice, concepts, and terms.
3. Proficiency in sampling and statistical analysis methods.
4. Experience with data visualization techniques and software, including maps (GIS), charts, tables, pictures, and technology.

Other Job Responsibilities

1. Furnish a reliable, personal means of transportation to accomplish work objectives
[ X ] Routinely
[ ] Frequently
[ ] Occasionally
2. Hold and maintain an Ohio Driver’s License with good driving record
[ X ] Routinely
[ ] Frequently
[ ] Occasionally
3. Work outside of normal business hours to meet project deadlines
[ ] Routinely
[X] Frequently
[ ] Occasionally
4. Provide coverage for other positions, shifts or functions
[ ] Routinely
[ ] Frequently
[ X ] Occasionally
5. Travel on company and/or personal time
[ ] Routinely
[ ] Frequently
[ X ] Occasionally

DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job
Revised January 2015