Director of Research and Analysis

Title: Director of Research and Analysis

Location: NYC (hybrid, 3 days/week in office, 2 days remote)

Salary: $240,000-$260,000

Reporting to: Director of Program Strategy and Management

ABOUT US

The Freedom Together Foundation’s mission is to support people who have been denied power to build it, so they can change unjust systems and create a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society. We are committed to advancing deep, systemic change by supporting movements, leaders, and organizations working for justice across the country.

THE POSITION

The Freedom Together Foundation seeks an experienced senior-level researcher to serve as its Director of Research and Analysis, a newly created position within the foundation. The Director of Research and Analysis will play a pivotal role in strategically shaping and executing the foundation's research strategies and help meet our evolving research needs.

Reporting to the Director of Program Strategy and Management, the Director of Research and Analysis will design research strategies that further the foundation's mission and program priorities, and support the analysis and evaluation of grantmaking and field strategies. To accomplish this work, the Director of Research and Analysis will conduct and lead on research projects as well as oversee contracts and collaborative projects with consultants, academics, and external research groups.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep fluency and experience in power-building social movements and theories of change, with a proven track record of designing and overseeing research strategies in support of movement work. They will be skilled in project management, working with diverse stakeholders internally and externally to drive research strategies and products, and know how to translate research findings to identify actionable leverage points for the foundation and its grantees to further their missions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic planning: In partnership with various Freedom Together teams, develop and execute comprehensive research strategies aligned with the foundation’s mission and program priorities and oversee the execution of those strategies.
• Conduct and lead on research projects: Oversee, manage, and undertake foundation research projects, conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research using a wide variety of resources and methodologies. Research projects may include collecting and analyzing data on funding for organizing and its impact, analyzing the impact of policies on democratic institutions and vulnerable constituencies; exploring questions of composition, attitudes, and geographic differences of the American working class, conducting power analyses and impact assessments to situate and evaluate foundation strategies, and answering quick turnaround research questions for the Office of the President, the Program Strategy and Management Team, and the Program Leadership Team as needed to inform strategy or support strategic partnerships.
• Oversee consultants and collaborative projects: Oversee the work of research consultants and drive collaborative projects with academic and external research partners. Support consultants in defining methodologies, oversee data collection and analysis, and monitor research quality and impact. The foundation will not build a research department, so much of the work of the Research Director will be identifying and working with partners and consultants.
• Collaborate across teams: Work with leadership and various Freedom Together teams to identify research questions that will support program priorities, further the foundation’s mission, and evaluate and strengthen existing approaches.
• Keep leadership informed on external research developments: Produce periodic updates, summaries, and/or surveys for foundation leadership of external research and analysis that is relevant to our areas of interest and of which leadership should be aware.
• Advance Freedom Together’s mission: In collaboration with Freedom Together leadership, design, implement, and promote research projects that provide support for Freedom Together’s strategic priorities and advance Freedom Together’s theory of change and mission among key stakeholders.
• Communicate research insights: Translate complex research into accessible, insightful findings that inform and empower Freedom Together colleagues, movement partners, and grantees. Prepare and present high-quality research reports, papers, and presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, AND BEHAVIORS

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications below, the ideal candidate will have many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

• Strong numerical, analytical, and investigative skills, using complex multi-source data with a strong attention to detail and accuracy. Must be comfortable with large data sets, highly proficient in using data analysis software such as SPSS or STATA, and skilled in data visualization software.
• Strong relationships in academia and among researchers working on social change
• Knowledge of, and relationships within, the power building fields and movements where Freedom Together’s mission and program areas are focused is preferred
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communications skills with a strong ability to communicate complex information to non-technical audiences
• Strong interpersonal communications skills, an effective and strategic relationship builder
• Flexibility and adaptability in an ever-changing environment
• Brings a sense of joy and humor to their work
• Low-ego; committed to advancing the whole rather than themselves
• Deep fluency in social justice and equity principles, with the ability to integrate these principles into research strategies and projects
• A strong alignment with the foundation’s mission and values
• Enthusiasm to build a culture that is rooted in shared values, supports staff to bring their best selves to the work, and enables the foundation to achieve its highest aspirations
• Candidates with a Master’s Degree or PhD in relevant social sciences a plus

SALARY & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt position and the annualized salary range is $240,000-$260,000. Freedom Together offers an extensive and generous benefits package including health insurance (with 100% of the premiums paid for employees, spouses, domestic partners, and qualified family members), paid time off (including last week of the year), 401(k) retirement plan with 12% employer contribution, and access to an inclusive family-building reimbursement plan. Freedom Together provides up to $5,000 annually for professional development and the ability to recommend an annual grant to the nonprofit of your choice.

WORKING WITH FREEDOM TOGETHER

We believe that diversity is critical to our mission, and we value an inclusive culture. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences related to our programs and applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The Freedom Together Foundation is an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate in employment based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender or gender identity, age or sexual orientation.

The Freedom Together Foundation is based in Manhattan, NY. Freedom Together staff operates on a hybrid schedule and currently works from the NYC office three days weekly, with the flexibility to work remotely two days weekly.

TO APPLY

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The priority deadline to apply for this position is February 24, though applications will be considered until the position is filled. To apply, please submit your CV and answer the questions. Reach out to Jaclyn Jones at [email protected] with any questions.