Associate Director of Research Operations | LEO

University of Notre Dame•Notre Dame, IN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

LEO is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and results-driven leader to serve as its Associate Director of Research Operations—a high-impact role responsible for leading the operational strategy behind LEO's nationally recognized research portfolio. Reporting to the Managing Director, this position will oversee the full lifecycle of research projects, guiding studies from early exploration through implementation and ultimately into dissemination and policy impact. Serving as the operational integrator for LEO's Research function, the Associate Director will lead high-performing teams, drive portfolio-wide decision-making, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and ensure research projects are executed with excellence, efficiency, and fidelity. Strong candidates are experienced people leaders with exceptional strategic judgment, operational expertise, and communication skills who thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments. Ideal candidates possess a familiarity with impact evaluations or applied research as well as an understanding of nonprofit organizations. The Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) at the University of Notre Dame is a research center dedicated to reducing poverty by partnering with service providers to conduct rigorous impact evaluations. LEO’s mission is to improve lives through evidence-based programs and policies, empowering decision-makers with data that drives lasting social change. As LEO continues to expand its national research portfolio, so does the opportunity to strengthen the operational systems that bring innovative ideas to life. The Associate Director of Research Operations plays a central role in advancing that mission by leading research operations across every stage of the project lifecycle—from project exploration and study design to implementation, dissemination, and real-world impact. Positioned at the intersection of research strategy, people leadership, and operational excellence, this role helps ensure LEO's evidence reaches the communities, organizations, and policymakers working to reduce poverty. LEO is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as its Associate Director of Research Operations. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role will oversee the operational execution of LEO's research portfolio while leading multidisciplinary teams, guiding project strategy, and ensuring rigorous studies move efficiently from concept to completion. As the operational counterpart to Research leadership, the Associate Director will drive portfolio management, supervise research operations staff, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and remove barriers that enable high-quality research to thrive. This role is ideal for an accomplished people leader with exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills who excels at managing complex initiatives in fast-paced, mission-driven environments. Successful candidates will bring demonstrated leadership experience, sound strategic judgment, and the ability to balance competing priorities while fostering collaboration across researchers, faculty, provider partners, and internal teams. Experience working within nonprofit or mission-driven organizations and familiarity with impact evaluation or applied research methodologies are highly valued. The Associate Director of Research Operations’ top priorities will be: Research Portfolio Leadership Lead the strategic execution of LEO's research portfolio from exploratory development through active implementation and dissemination Evaluate project viability, identify portfolio-wide trends and risks, and guide research teams toward successful execution Drive timely decision-making while ensuring projects remain aligned with organizational priorities and research excellence Research Operations & Implementation Oversee operational planning and execution across all phases of impact evaluations, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and with fidelity Anticipate and resolve operational bottlenecks while developing scalable systems that strengthen research quality and consistency Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve ambitious research, enrollment, and implementation goals Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Research Operations team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional growth Establish team priorities, allocate resources, and build operational processes that support an expanding research portfolio Create an environment that empowers staff while maintaining high standards of quality, performance, and service Cross-Functional Strategy & Organizational Integration Serve as the operational integrator for LEO's Research function, aligning research operations with project development, dissemination, and organizational priorities Partner closely with Research Faculty, Faculty Affiliates, and senior leadership to advance strategic initiatives and organizational effectiveness Strengthen collaboration across departments to improve communication, workflow efficiency, and research outcomes Research Excellence & External Partnerships Guide research operations supporting proposal development, external funding, and post-award reporting Build productive relationships with provider partners and external collaborators to support successful study implementation Champion operational excellence that enables rigorous, evidence-based research to create meaningful policy and community impact This is a three-year, limited-term position. Contingent on funding, the position may be extended.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
Minimum of 7+ years of relevant professional experience in research operations, people leadership, project portfolio management, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration, preferably within a nonprofit, higher education, research, or mission-driven environment.
Strong commitment to the missions of Notre Dame and LEO
Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and managing high-performing professional teams
Extensive experience or demonstrated ability to create and maintain organizational procedures such as hiring, budgeting, and data protection management is essential
Understands and able to work in a rapidly growing environment and strong culture of performance
Strong communicator both verbally and written
Able to work independently
Proven ability to set priorities and map direction on concurrent fronts, for both self and direct reports

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Experience with impact evaluation, applied research, or evidence-based program evaluation methodologies
Experience working within or partnering with nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organizations

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic execution of LEO's research portfolio from exploratory development through active implementation and dissemination
Evaluate project viability, identify portfolio-wide trends and risks, and guide research teams toward successful execution
Drive timely decision-making while ensuring projects remain aligned with organizational priorities and research excellence
Oversee operational planning and execution across all phases of impact evaluations, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and with fidelity
Anticipate and resolve operational bottlenecks while developing scalable systems that strengthen research quality and consistency
Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve ambitious research, enrollment, and implementation goals
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Research Operations team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional growth
Establish team priorities, allocate resources, and build operational processes that support an expanding research portfolio
Create an environment that empowers staff while maintaining high standards of quality, performance, and service
Serve as the operational integrator for LEO's Research function, aligning research operations with project development, dissemination, and organizational priorities
Partner closely with Research Faculty, Faculty Affiliates, and senior leadership to advance strategic initiatives and organizational effectiveness
Strengthen collaboration across departments to improve communication, workflow efficiency, and research outcomes
Guide research operations supporting proposal development, external funding, and post-award reporting
Build productive relationships with provider partners and external collaborators to support successful study implementation
Champion operational excellence that enables rigorous, evidence-based research to create meaningful policy and community impact