The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is hiring a (Senior) Director of Research and Evaluation to lead our research team and oversee efforts to measure and communicate our impact across higher education and beyond. You will shape our research and evaluation agenda, ensure quality and consistency across studies, and build systems to make data and findings accessible. This role serves as a key spokesperson, translating insights into publications and public engagement.
What You'll Do
- Develop and steward a multi-year research and evaluation agenda aligned with CDI's theories of change and organizational goals.
- Design and oversee studies that assess program effectiveness, participant learning, and institutional impact.
- Lead thought leadership research that explores emerging questions in higher education, civic discourse, and culture change.
- Integrate insights from multiple methodologies to tell a coherent story about CDI's impact and the broader ecosystem.
- Ensure research priorities reflect internal learning needs and external opportunities.
- Work closely with leadership to translate research insights into organizational strategy.
- Partner with program, partnerships, and communications teams to make findings accessible to campus partners, funders, and the public.
- Serve as a spokesperson for CDI's research, contributing to external reports, articles, panels, and convenings.
- Supervise a cross-disciplinary research team, providing mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development.
- Cultivate a collaborative, psychologically safe team culture.
- Strengthen research operations, including data management, documentation, dashboards, and internal reporting workflows.
- Establish standards for study design, analysis, and dissemination to promote consistency and rigor.
- Collaborate with quantitative researchers to maintain high-quality evaluation data systems and repositories.
What We're Looking For
- 8-13 years of experience in applied research, evaluation, or social/behavioral science, ideally in education or nonprofit settings.
- Doctorate in a social or behavioral science field (e.g., psychology, education, political science, sociology, or related discipline).
- Demonstrated success leading mixed-methods research teams and managing complex portfolios.
- Strong conceptual thinker who can connect micro-level program data with macro-level cultural trends.
- 2+ years of people management experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communicator, with experience translating research into compelling narratives and publications.
- Values curiosity, humility, and collaboration.
Nice to Have
- In exceptional cases, a master’s degree with extensive applied research leadership experience may be considered.
- Experience building or scaling research infrastructure is a plus.
Team & Environment
You will lead a cross-disciplinary research team, spanning junior to senior contributors with expertise in quantitative and qualitative methods. You will report to the Chief Impact Officer and collaborate closely with the VP of Communications, as well as partner with our program, partnerships, and communications teams.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation: $135,000–$165,000, depending on experience and final title (Director or Senior Director).
- A Mission-Driven Culture characterized by intellectual humility, continuous improvement, and open-mindedness.
- Remote-First organization.
- Unlimited PTO.
- 13 company holidays.
- Employer-supported health, vision and dental plans.
- Subsidized parental leave.
- 3% 401k match.
- Short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Life and AD&D insurance.
- $1,000 annual professional development budget.
Work Mode
This is a remote position. We are a remote-first organization.
The Constructive Dialogue Institute is an equal opportunity employer.
