Want to know if this job is worth applying to?
United States
Remote only
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Research & Data Analytics based in the United States.
The Director of Research & Data Analytics will provide strategic, technical, and project leadership across a portfolio of applied research, analytics, and evaluation initiatives using administrative and linked data. This role ensures methodological rigor, analytical excellence, and policy relevance while advancing research that helps governments make better-informed decisions. You will lead multidisciplinary projects, establish quality standards, and oversee the delivery of actionable insights for public-sector and nonprofit partners. In addition to guiding research strategy, you will contribute to business development, cultivate external partnerships, and identify opportunities for funded research. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced researcher who can connect rigorous analysis with real-world policy impact in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
Lead the design and execution of research, analytics, and evaluation initiatives involving administrative and linked data.
Establish methodological standards and analytical protocols that promote rigor, reproducibility, transparency, and policy relevance.
Identify emerging research opportunities aligned with organizational priorities and promote innovation across education, workforce, human services, and justice.
Serve as Project Lead for assigned engagements, managing scope, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and internal and external contributors.
Develop organization-wide quality assurance and quality control processes, including review protocols for analytical code, methods, and findings.
Ensure research deliverables meet high standards of validity, documentation, transparency, and usability for decision-makers.
Promote best practices in data documentation, version control, and reproducible research workflows.
Build relationships with government agencies, foundations, and research partners to identify and secure funded research opportunities.
Provide technical leadership for proposals, concept papers, and partnership development, collaborating with senior leadership on new research offerings.
Represent the organization as a thought leader through publications, conference presentations, and stakeholder engagements.
Monitor developments in research methodologies and technologies relevant to administrative data analysis.
Collaborate with training, product, and data enclave teams to translate research innovations into scalable courses, tools, visualization products, and demonstration projects.
Advise leadership on research-related risks, strategic opportunities, and potential investments.
Advanced degree in Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related discipline; a PhD is strongly preferred.
At least 10 years of experience conducting applied research or evaluations using administrative or linked data.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with state and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or academic partners.
Strong expertise in quantitative and mixed-methods research design.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary research projects and coordinate diverse internal and external collaborators.
Strong record of research publications, conference presentations, or other forms of thought leadership.
Experience contributing to successful proposal development, client engagement, and partnership building.
Familiarity with secure data environments and privacy-preserving research practices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex analytical findings into actionable insights for policy and operational audiences.
Strong project management, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities.
Ability to work effectively in a remote environment and collaborate across teams and stakeholders.
East Coast location is strongly preferred.
Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends when project needs require.
Annual salary range of $160,000–$170,000, with final compensation based on experience, skills, and internal equity.
Health insurance.
Employer retirement contributions.
Paid time off.
Paid holidays.
Professional development support.
Fully remote, full-time work arrangement within the United States.
Opportunity to contribute to research and data initiatives with meaningful public-sector and policy impact.