Assistant Research Director, Riley Institute

Furman University - Cypress, CA

Part-time,Full-time - Mid Level

Cypress, CA

Educational Services

About the position

The Assistant Research Director will play a pivotal role in supporting the Riley Institute's community-solutions focused research initiatives. This position requires a diverse skill set in research, analysis, consulting, and organizational management to effectively lead the Institute's involvement in significant projects such as the Hello Family Pay-for-Success project and the Movement 2030 project, both of which are integral to the Nonprofit Strategic Learning Initiative (NSLI). The Assistant Research Director will act as the Principal Investigator (PI) and Local Validator for these projects, which involves collaborating with multiple nonprofit organizations in Spartanburg to assess and report on their performance against predetermined outcome measures. In this capacity, the Assistant Research Director will be responsible for obtaining and analyzing quarterly and annual data from partner organizations, ensuring the accuracy and quality of the data collected. This includes utilizing statistical software, such as Stata, to clean and analyze data, maintaining updated tracking spreadsheets, and preparing comprehensive reports that reflect the outcomes achieved. The role also necessitates regular communication with key stakeholders, including social capital investors and project leads, to provide updates and context regarding project developments. Additionally, the Assistant Research Director will oversee various NSLI projects, acting as the primary contact for client organizations, managing project scopes, and ensuring timely completion of deliverables. This includes designing custom curriculum and evaluation plans, conducting process evaluations, and writing final reports. The position also involves grant writing and engaging with organizations statewide to further the mission of the Riley Institute and Furman University. The Assistant Research Director will work closely with the Research Director and other staff, contributing to a collaborative environment while also managing student interns and external consultants as needed.

Responsibilities

• Act as Principal Investigator (PI) and Local Validator for the Hello Family Pay-for-Success project and the Movement 2030 project.
• Work with nonprofit organizations to calculate and report on their quarterly and annual performance on outcome measures.
• Obtain quarterly and annual data exports from Hello Family organizations for outcome calculation.
• Utilize and develop Stata code to clean, quality check, and analyze data.
• Maintain updated outcome tracking spreadsheets and ensure accuracy of calculations.
• Complete quarterly and annual reports following existing templates.
• Maintain security of sensitive and confidential information and reports.
• Review and certify the accuracy of public-facing reports issued by Hello Family.
• Certify the annual Outcome Payment Disbursement Certificate for Maycomb Capital.
• Meet monthly with Maycomb Capital to provide updates and context regarding reports.
• Communicate regularly with key personnel involved in Hello Family and Movement 2030 projects.
• Attend Hello Family events as required.
• Direct NSLI projects with contracting organizations and cultivate client relationships.
• Create and negotiate client scopes of work and contracts.
• Oversee the provision of client-specific NSLI services, including curriculum design and outcome measurement plans.
• Plan and execute process and impact evaluations for NSLI projects.
• Assist with grant writing and project acquisition efforts for the Riley Institute.
• Engage with organizations statewide to advance the mission of the Riley Institute and Furman University.
• Co-manage student research interns and external consultants.
• Complete performance review processes with the supervisor.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in evaluation, education, sociology, public health, psychology, political science, or other social science fields with graduate coursework in research design, measurement, evaluation, and statistics.
• Knowledge and experience in various research methods including interviews, surveys, and focus groups.
• Advanced proficiency in Stata statistical software.
• Experience in research consulting and training.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to manage multiple complex projects.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to convey statistical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• High emotional intelligence to build trusting relationships with diverse organizations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with grant writing and project acquisition.
• Familiarity with nonprofit organizations and community engagement.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.