Director of Quantitative Analysis

Institute for Women's Policy Research•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Quantitative Analysis oversees IWPR’s quantitative research, contributes to research project development, and manages staff dedicated to quantitative analysis. The role provides strategic research leadership, collaborates across teams to shape products and timelines, and manages quantitative-analysis capacity, work sequencing, workloads, and staff development. The Director oversees research training and develops infrastructure to support rigorous, replicable research, drawing on familiarity with publicly available U.S. data sets. The Director oversees rapid-response research to advance IWPR’s thought leadership and credibility with policymakers. This includes monitoring relevant data releases, identifying timely contributions to policy debates, and developing a process that balances speed with collaboration. The role requires research expertise in at least one of IWPR’s four pillars: Equitable Work and Wages; Education and Career Advancement; Reproductive Justice and Health Equity; or Caregiving and Families. The Director translates research for broad audiences through formats such as op-eds, blogs, reports, and briefing papers, and demonstrates a strong commitment to gender and racial equity and to supporting marginalized communities through policy and practice. This is a full-time, exempt position based in Washington, DC, with supervisory responsibilities. It reports to the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research and works closely with the Managing Director of Research. The Director also collaborates with strategic partner organizations and provides research guidance within their area of expertise. At the direction of the Chief Economist and SVP, the Director executes strategic priorities. The position is hybrid on-site and is not in the bargaining unit.

Requirements

PhD or equivalent experience/expertise in a related field and at least 5 years of experience in public policy research; alternatively, a master’s degree in a quantitative research field and 10 or more years of work experience in public policy research.
Experience managing staff conducting quantitative research and advising on quantitative analyses in a matrix management system.
Familiarity with a wide range of publicly available U.S. data sets.
Research experience in one or more of IWPR’s pillars: Equitable Work and Wages; Education and Career Advancement; Reproductive Justice and Health Equity; and Caregiving and Families.
Experience with multivariate statistical methods, survey research and/or qualitative research, research design and analysis, and knowledge of multiple U.S. data sets.
Significant experience integrating racial-equity and intersectional frameworks and analysis into research designs, reports, and briefs.
Ability to write high-quality fact sheets, reports, and presentations based on data work and analysis.
Strong program and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing demands.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills.
Demonstrated commitment to racial justice and gender equity.
Proven ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders, including executives, researchers, practitioners, policy and advocacy organizations, public officials, and boards of directors.
Superior problem-solving, managerial, and interpersonal skills; ability to work strategically and collaboratively across an organization.
Effective, versatile, action-oriented, detail-oriented, efficient, and highly organized.
Ability to work well under pressure with tight deadlines and multiple priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience translating high-level research for broad audiences through op-eds, blogs, reports, briefing papers, or similar formats.
An established and respected network in the progressive research community, with relationships that can facilitate expansion of IWPR’s research and policy work.

Responsibilities

Contribute to implementing a cohesive research agenda focused on strategic impact, thought leadership, policymaker credibility, and funding viability, eliciting feedback and collaboration across IWPR program teams.
Identify emerging research gaps and opportunities, and work with the Chief Economist and SVP of Research to determine the scope of research publications.
Identify opportunities for rapid-response research to shape public debates and represent IWPR at high-level convenings, conferences, and meetings.
Manage junior- and mid-level research staff dedicated to quantitative research, including assigning and prioritizing work, setting expectations and deadlines, coaching and providing feedback, reviewing work, conducting evaluations, supporting development, addressing performance concerns, and ensuring accountability.
Support quantitative-analysis training and professional development for research staff.
Work with the Managing Director of Research to project-manage quantitative research products and assign tasks.
Develop and ensure adherence to a rapid-response process that balances timeliness and cross-team collaboration.
Oversee execution of research projects and publications, including major reports, briefs, government testimony, regulatory comments, data analysis, infographics, and other visuals, in collaboration with the Communications Team.
Coordinate research content and the publications calendar with Communications, Policy, and Advancement teams.
Manage research capacity, sequence work, collaborate with strategic partner organizations, and provide research guidance within the Director’s area of expertise.
Participate in hiring, onboarding, performance management, and other personnel decisions relating to direct reports, in partnership with People & Culture and organizational leadership.
Contribute to a collaborative culture and institutional excellence by working effectively across teams, demonstrating accountability and respect, embracing continuous improvement, and modeling IWPR’s values.