Communication Evaluation Research Project Director

Fors Marsh

3d • $160,000 - $185,000 • Remote

About The Position

Fors Marsh’s Civilian and Health Practice is seeking an experienced Project Director to lead a cross-disciplinary team conducting research and strategic planning for multiple, concurrent capture opportunities and health research projects sponsored by government, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations. These fast-paced, high-stakes efforts address complex public health issues, including tobacco, behavioral health, chronic conditions, and vector-borne diseases. This is a contingent hire dependent on Fors Marsh winning an upcoming proposal. The role reports to the Director of Audience Analytics for Healthy Communities and contributes to business development, division strategy, team development, client relationships, and project delivery. The position is remote and limited to United States residents.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in health communication, communication, marketing, advertising, public health, economics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, or a related social science field.
• At least 10 years of experience leading campaign and/or communication evaluation projects, including design, implementation, analysis, and reporting.
• At least 20 years of experience conducting applied research and strategic planning projects of varying funding levels and periods of performance.
• At least 5 years of business development experience, particularly conducting competitor analyses, developing strategic positioning, and forming business partnerships.
• At least 5 years of project management experience.
• At least 5 years of staff supervision and development experience.
• Demonstrated acumen leading seasoned subject matter or technical experts.
• Demonstrated leadership in peer-reviewed publications with evaluation results.
• Strong competencies in customer orientation, flexibility, initiative, collaboration, problem solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, planning and organization, communication, and accountability.
• May be subject to a low-level government security investigation and must meet eligibility criteria for access to sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience as a project director leading a complex, multi-component evaluation project for a federal and/or state health organization.
• Previous experience supporting multiple concurrent capture efforts and research projects for different fast-paced, high-stakes initiatives.
• Previous experience overseeing multiple subcontractors, mitigating program challenges, and navigating complex problem solving.
• Previous experience training, coaching, and mentoring staff—from subject matter experts to junior analysts—to foster leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead pipeline expansion, opportunity shaping, capture, and proposal development to secure new business.
• Assess progress toward company business goals and related metrics.
• Maintain an engaged division workforce with pathways for growth.
• Champion process enhancements and team innovation.
• Track evolving trends in public health and communicate them to the team.
• Contribute to Civilian & Health strategic planning aligned with Fors Marsh priorities and operationalize the strategy at the division level.
• Balance team utilization with upskilling, professional growth, and morale.
• Engage with clients to establish and nurture trusting relationships and support organic growth.
• Collaborate with business partners and colleagues across account management, creative, media planning, outreach, website development, and other divisions.
• Lead initiatives with project managers and supervisors to assess and build staff competencies.
• Assemble project teams and manage theory-based formative, process, and summative evaluations that produce qualitative and quantitative findings and translate them into actionable program planning and optimization.
• Ensure compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and data protection laws and regulations.
• Conduct thought leadership to build the organization’s reputation.
• Participate in Civilian & Health and Fors Marsh events.

Benefits

• Health and dental coverage at 100% for employee coverage.
• Vision insurance and long- and short-term disability options.
• Leave flexibility to balance work and home responsibilities without worrying about depleting available leave hours.
• Floating holiday bank.
• Matching retirement contributions with no vesting period starting the third month of employment.
• Dedicated training and development budgets.
• Paid time off for volunteering.
• Staff-led affinity groups.
• Product and service discounts through the certified B Corp network.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director