Senior Director/Director, Research & Evaluation

at Mathematica in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Position Description*:

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions and promote equity and social justice in wide-ranging policy areas, from education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, health, disability, and international development. Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance.

The Human Services (HS) Unit seeks a senior director of research & evaluation (R&E) and a director of R&E. The senior director will be in either the Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) division or the Education and Employment (EE) division; the director will be in the other division. Each director will lead the supervision, management, and development of R&E staff, report to the executive director of their respective division, and support the priorities and goals of the CYF or EE division, the HS unit, and the company. Each director will supervise most of the R&E supervisors in their divisions, with a supervision load to be determined. As described below, the roles and responsibilities are similar with the several key exceptions, most notably:

• Responsibilities*

• Develop and lead change initiatives and drive adoption of improvements to our ability to meet existing and emerging client needs.
• Promote a sense of community and shared experience in the R&E function, engage with staff, seek staff input, and foster high staff morale.
• Oversee staff development and management
  o Ensure that function’s approaches to staff development and management align with the client needs and the priorities and strategic direction of CYF or EE division, HS unit, and Mathematica, including client-centricity; diversity, equity, and inclusion; technology transformation; and innovation.
  o Consult with area directors (Mathematica’s client relationship and business development leaders) about current and future client needs and skills gaps that could be filled by training and other staff development.
  o Oversee the creation, implementation, and continuous improvement of staff development approaches, training plans, and career pathways in the function.
  o Collaborate with HR to support staff development and manage the performance review process.
  o Supervise and support the development of the research & evaluation supervisors in CYF or EE.
  o Collaborate with the other R&E director to develop a high performing, collaborative team among the supervisors in the function in both divisions with clear expectations, support, mentoring, regular feedback, and accountability.
  o Make staffing decisions for research and evaluation staff in their division on projects and proposals, working with area directors (who make the final staffing decision for project leadership and senior roles), staffing partners, and supervisors.
  o Know the staff in the function and those who are in other functions who also perform research & evaluation work. Facilitate and promote the ability to work across functions and divisions. Support staff growth through specific assignments.
• Recruiting
  o Consult with area directors about client needs and gaps that could be filled through recruiting.
  o Propose new positions and recruiting targets for research & evaluation to meet client needs and the priorities and strategic direction of the division and unit.
  o Oversee recruiting activities in the function, providing support to Human Services leadership on senior hiring
• Business development and client engagement
  o Partner with area directors on business development and client engagement.
  o Lead business development efforts to grow research & evaluation work, including leading proposals.
  o Engage with clients to understand their needs and perspectives on our research & evaluation performance.
• Thought leadership
  o Support the development of thought leadership priorities for advancing the field and raising Mathematica’s profile in research & evaluation.
  o Consult with area directors about thought leadership priorities for clients.
  o Implement thought leadership priorities for research & evaluation.
• Innovation
  o Support the development and fostering of innovations in approaches, processes, and technology adoption to meet client needs.
• Leadership in the HS unit and Mathematica
  o Collaborate across HS unit groups to promote inclusive, consistent approaches.
  o Contribute to leadership of research & evaluation across the business units. Serve as an internal point of contact regarding research & evaluation work. Disseminate information about insights, innovations, and staff capabilities across business units.
  o Prioritize the company’s goals over HS unit, division, or functional goals. Support company initiatives and facilitate dissemination of key information.
  o Facilitate collaboration and collegiality within and across divisions and units.
• Lead projects and proposals
  o The senior director/director leads and works on client projects and proposals for roughly 70% of their time.

• Position Requirements*:

• Visionary leader who is strategic and passionate about sustaining a high-performance culture that is inclusive and collaborative
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; ability to integrate diverse views
• Demonstrated ability to lead change and manage using a collaborative, team-building approach
• Supervisory experience is preferred; demonstrated success in staff leadership on projects will be considered.
• Successful experience mentoring staff.
• Experience with business development and proposals is required; experience engaging with clients and partners in the business development process is preferred.
• Functional expertise in research & evaluation and successful leadership of research & evaluation projects. Recognition by clients as a strong project leader is preferred.
• A master’s or doctorate degree in social science or relevant discipline or a combination of equivalent education and work experience.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in research, consulting, or related fields

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume at time of application. For full consideration, please apply by June 5, 2023.

We offer our employees a stimulating, team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of employee ownership. This director position offers a base salary range of between $140,000 and $180,000. The senior director offers a base s