Senior Director of Research and Evaluation - Full-time

We believe every person deserves to age well. That’s why we’re on a path to improve the lives of 40 million older adults by 2030. Come join an awesome team and learn about the work we do, the people we serve, and why equitable aging matters now more than ever. At NCOA, we represent the interests of the aging population across the nation, while striving to live out our core values of equity, excellence, and innovation. This is meaningful work where we put “people first” and our employees can learn and grow, where work/life balance is prioritized, and have a flexible hybrid work schedule while being part of a dynamic, collaborative team.

We are interested in growing our team with passionate, committed, and innovative individuals. The Senior Director, Research and Evaluation will join NCOA at a time of dynamic growth.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director, Research and Evaluation is responsible for leading NCOA’s overall research agenda and our ability to produce relevant, compelling, and best-in-class research on the most current issues affecting older adults, through a diversity lens. The incumbent will oversee the design and execution of evaluation strategies, social research, program management and/or outcomes measurement. S/he will possess a disciplined, strategic, and data-driven approach to decision making with a sharp focus on metrics, outcomes, and results. S/he is a self-starter and dedicated team player, who plays a critical role in measuring and communicating the impact of all NCOA’s programmatic and policy initiatives on the lives of older adults.

Positions at this level typically require advanced knowledge and experience as well as strong management capabilities. Incumbents are required to exercise latitude and independent judgement within their scope of work and usually require minimal oversight. Incumbents generally have ten or more years of experience in their discipline and a master’s degree or the equivalent, as well as substantive experience at this level.

COMPETENCIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• External Relations-Develops and maintains relationships with external stakeholders; represents NCOA’s interests well with coalitions; represents NCOA's point of view in public speaking engagements.
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict; maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; works with integrity; upholds organizational values.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
• Diversity & Equity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity and equity; promotes a harassment-free environment; works to build and support a diverse & equitable workforce.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Director of Research and Evaluation is hyper-organized and exceptional at enterprise-wide project management. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop an NCOA enterprise-wide research agenda with a five-year time horizon and execute research against it. This will include:
  1. Working across NCOA to develop, vet, and refine a research agenda.
  2. Leverage Programs and Policy opportunities to build out and incorporate work that is part of the research agenda.
  3. Pursue funding opportunities that align with the research agenda and NCOA priorities to execute on the research agenda.
• Oversee the long-term strategy to identify, collect and utilize customer insights obtained across the enterprise through multiple channels;
• Drive efforts to measure social impact on communities we serve and to recommend course of action to ensure that impact is sustainable and scalable;
• Develop and manage the design, implementation and oversight of research and evaluation processes across the enterprise;
• Steward and cultivate high-level relationships with consultants and advisors; serve as the primary liaison to outside research and evaluation partners;
• Assist in conducting ongoing quantitative and qualitative evaluation of our programmatic impact through a variety of methods including: surveys, focus groups, and interviews with key partners and older adults;
• Synthesize and disseminate learnings and insights from research and evaluation to all departments – thought leadership, development, programs – within the organization as part of a broad knowledge management strategy;
• Manage and mentor the research team in supporting program evaluation and needs; and
• Represent NCOA at events, conferences and in peer-reviewed journals and the media as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant Masters’ degree in or 10+ years of equivalent experience.

• At least 8-10 years of experience in developing and executing data and information-driven strategies for community-based research and evaluation projects.
• Strong ability to think analytically and critically, including translating ideas and insights into real-world research projects with specific and measurable outcomes.
• Deep creativity and an ability to use data to uncover potential opportunities for growth and innovation across an organization.
• Ability to think analytically and critically, including translating ideas and insights into real-world applications and learnings to the benefit of NCOA customers.
• Proven experience in leading cross-organizational projects, preferably in a nonprofit organization.
• Exceptional writing skills necessary to draft research and evaluation components of proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly absorb and become articulate about NCOA’s programs to complement the expertise of other team members.
• Experience managing and motivating staff- and in particular, comfortable and competent in matrixed management.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate and effectively interact with external partners/vendors and to build partnerships around common interests and goals.
• Demonstrated experience with knowledge management and content management practices.
• Ability to work across NCOA to provide guidance and direction on evaluations, research, and measuring outcomes of the work.

• Experience in progressive nonprofit organization helpful.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequently required to sit or use a standing desk.
• Occasionally required to walk.
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to talk or listen.
• Occasionally required to bend, lift, or climb stairs.
• Occasionally required to lift light weights (less than 25 pounds).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selected candidate must reside in the Washington, DC – Maryland – Virginia (DMV) area within 30 calendar days of their start date.

We only accept applications that follow the electronic process. No phone calls please. This position is subject to background screening. Qualified applicants submit a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to: PN-32 Senior Director, Research and Evaluation to:

https://www.ncoa.org/page/careers

NCOA offers generous benefits including:

• medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD insurances
• paid vacation, sick, and other types of leave
• 403(b) retirement plan
• hybrid remote work options
• and more!

NCOA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion