Director of Research and Impact

Idyllwild Arts • Idyllwild, CA

16d • $95,000 - $110,000

About The Position

Idyllwild Arts Foundation seeks a Director of Research & Impact (DRI) to lead its newly established Office of Research & Impact (ORI). This senior-level role, a 3-year funded position, will strengthen the Foundation’s capacity to use data and evaluation to support institutional sustainability, educational excellence, and mission-driven impact. The Director will centralize institutional research efforts, partner with senior leadership and departments across the organization, and translate complex data into clear, actionable insight. The successful candidate will help cultivate a healthy data culture that informs strategy, improves decision-making, and supports continuous learning within a creative, values-driven educational environment.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in education, institutional research, social science, data analytics, public policy, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in institutional research, evaluation, or data strategy
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
• High ethical standards and discretion with sensitive information

Nice To Haves

• Experience in independent schools, boarding schools, higher education, or nonprofit organizations
• Familiarity with arts education or creative learning environments
• Experience working on research related to community, culture, or inclusion
• Comfort working in hybrid or remote professional settings

Responsibilities

• Lead and build the Office of Research & Impact as the Foundation’s centralized institutional research and evaluation function
• Design and manage research initiatives related to: Organizational sustainability and business model analysis Enrollment, recruitment, and retention Advancement, alumni engagement, and fundraising Student outcomes and program impact
• Develop dashboards, reports, and tools that make data accessible and meaningful to diverse stakeholders
• Partner with academic, enrollment, advancement, and administrative teams to support data-informed planning
• Coordinate and support external consultants conducting evaluations of arts instruction and community impact
• Communicate findings clearly and effectively to leadership, faculty, staff, and trustees
• Promote data literacy and a culture of inquiry, reflection, and improvement across the organization

What This Job Offers

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