Senior Research Manager, Center for Best Practices

Since 1984, Share Our Strength® has led the fight against hunger and poverty by inspiring and organizing individuals and businesses to share their strengths. Today, through the No Kid Hungry campaign, Share Our Strength is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need. No child should go hungry in America – we’re on our way to making that a reality and we want you to join us. We’re bold, creative, always open to new ideas, and 100% dedicated to our mission. If that sounds like you, we’d like you to consider becoming part of our team.

The Senior Research Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and conducting research and evaluation projects to support Share Our Strength’s programmatic and policy priorities. In the short term, research will primarily focus on understanding the impact of legislative changes in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in addition to their spillover effects on school meals and other nutrition programs. To this end, the Senior Research Manager will collect, synthesize, and articulate findings that affect children’s access to this food safety net. Additionally, the Senior Research Manager will create resources to summarize existing research and help our program partners and external stakeholders understand the implications on their work. The Senior Manager will also support other teams with answering research and data questions or supporting their research needs. The Senior Research Manager will support the team’s efforts to develop and cultivate relationships with external researchers to partner on joint research and identify opportunities to make external research more actionable to the field. The Senior Research Manager will also lead in identifying third-party research projects, selecting researchers and managing these studies, and disseminating with internal and external audiences. In carrying out all the above job responsibilities, the Senior Research Manager will support and center Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, including but not limited to: creating opportunities to incorporate diverse perspectives, considering populations experiencing greater inequities, and implementing equitable and inclusive approaches in research.

This position is preferably based in Washington, DC; but could be fully remote for the right candidate. The position offers a salary range of $87k-$102k. Exact compensation within the stated salary range may vary based on skills, experience, internal equity, and geographical location.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop tools and methods to gather and synthesize learnings on implementation of program strategies, to identify successes and opportunities for future improvements.
• Develop and administer surveys.
• Create research summaries and resources for stakeholders, and disseminate evidence through various channels, translating complex issues to non-research audiences.
• Review existing research and data sources to keep abreast of current evidence and data. Explain or articulate research evidence or program data to inform strategy and help internal teams (Communications, Funder Support, State Campaigns, or Advocacy teams) know how to use the research and apply the learnings to their work.
• Manage third-party research initiatives and disseminate findings to develop strategy, inform program and policy implementation, and/or demonstrate impact.
• Support and cultivate relationships with researchers focused on similar or related programs.
• Partner with colleagues to support Share Our Strength's work to be a diverse and inclusive organization, and ensuring this value is embedded in the organization and throughout our work

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree required, in Public Health, Public Policy or a related field, with a focus on social science research and evaluation preferred.
• 5-8 years of related work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in applied research and evaluation design, execution, or oversight.
• Demonstrated experience with mixed methods research, including gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing both qualitative and quantitative data for applied purposes.
• Experience managing vendors or consultants.
• MS Office proficiency. Experience with Excel, SPSS Statistics, Atlas.ti, Condens, or other analytical platforms. Experience with survey platforms a plus.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills, including the ability to identify and work through challenges, underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on multi-step, detail-oriented projects in a fluid environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience presenting to high-level audiences. Demonstrated experience articulating and disseminating research to influence policy and/or program recommendations, including tailoring communication approaches.
• Interest in anti-hunger and anti-poverty issues.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFIT PLAN:
We offer a comprehensive benefits plan which currently includes, but is not limited to, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement, wellness benefits, and paid time off (vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, holiday, parental leave, bereavement leave, military leave, and jury duty leave).
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
Share Our Strength is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, military status, age, or any other classification protected by law.