Director, Research & Analysis

Yoga Alliance • Arlington, VA

6d • $100,000 - $120,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Head of Strategy, Yoga Alliance is seeking a Director, Research & Analysis to join our team. In close partnership with the Head of Strategy and other functional heads, the Director leads and oversees the design, build, and execution of how Yoga Alliance collects data, leverages research, and measures whether its programs and initiatives are working. This role will combine external research (such as journal articles, reports, briefs, papers) with the organization’s data to provide recommendations and solutions toward Yoga Alliance’s strategic plan. The Director will collaborate and support team members with how to analyze and apply research and evidence to make and validate decisions – further moving Yoga Alliance toward a data informed framework.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in research, evaluation, data analysis or related role
• 5+ years' experience in designing and executing research studies or program evaluations
• 5+ years' experience in survey design and administration (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey)
• 5+ years' experience in translating complex data into accessible reports or presentations for non-technical audiences
• 5+ years' experience working with both quantitative and qualitative data
• 5+ years' experience in thought partnership
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in remote, distributed team environments
• Demonstrated experience with software across a variety of data analysis tools and platforms (e.g. Excel, SPSS, R, or similar; Google Analytics, Tableau)
• Demonstrated experience with technology skills: Microsoft Office Suite, CRM (e.g. Salesforce for Nonprofits), and project management platforms (e.g. Monday.com), LMSs (e.g. Absorb, Learn Upon), Canva
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI-enabled tools and large language models (LLMs) to support research, analysis, knowledge management, and organizational decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience writing white papers, reports, and thought leadership pieces
• Entrepreneurial, with high tolerance for ambiguity and complexity, and an ability to navigate problem solving in an efficient and collaborative manner
• Strength in Collaboration: Builds strong relationships across teams; creates conditions for cross-functional teamwork and trust.
• Strength in Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally across levels; provides insight and context that builds understanding.
• Strength in Judgment and Confidentiality: Exercises discretion and sound decision-making; operates with integrity and diplomacy
• Strength in Operational Execution: Designs systems that support clarity, accountability, and follow-through across multiple teams and priorities.
• Strength in Project and Change Management: Leads teams through complex, evolving projects with care, consistency, and attention to outcomes.
• Strength in Strategic and Systems Thinking: Connects operational details to broader goals; identifies leverage points to improve performance or outcomes.
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in workplace or community settings.
• Curious and proactively scans the horizon to stay abreast of technology, creative approaches, and novel ideas to experiment, test, and apply.
• Ability to travel as needed to Yoga Alliance’s Arlington, VA office to participate in organizational meetings, training, and retreats.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with the yoga, wellness, or complementary health fields
• Understanding of strategic planning frameworks and performance indicators

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and build of research framework at Yoga Alliance; ensure execution of the framework
• Be the in house subject matter expert on research and metrics; teach and coach others on application
• Stay abreast of yoga and wellness space and inject innovation and evolutions along the way
• Track key performance indicators for project and team work plans and overall portfolio performance
• Prepare executive-level reports and presentations on portfolio status, risks, and recommendations
• Conduct post-implementation reviews to capture lessons learned and inform continuous improvement
• Drive and maintain research and analysis functions that ensure data-driven insights inform portfolio decisions
• Lead the design of and conduct research that may include focus groups, stakeholder interviews, listening sessions, member panels, needs assessments, and feasibility analyses in support of strategic initiatives
• Evaluate program and initiative effectiveness, tracking outcomes against organizational goals
• Support the development and maintenance of the Balanced Scorecard and other performance frameworks
• Monitor market trends, sector developments, and peer organization activity relevant to yoga, wellness, and credentialing
• Curate and synthesize scholarly research to inform organizational strategy and thought leadership
• Maintain an organized knowledge management system for research assets and data sources
• Nurture and steward relationships with yoga and wellness researchers
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, member data, and external sources
• Translate findings into clear, compelling reports and visualizations for varied audiences (staff, board, members)
• Support data storytelling across organizational communications
• Partner with teams across the organization to identify information needs and design research approaches
• Oversee and contribute to white papers, impact reports, and other knowledge products
• Support grant-related research and evaluation requirements as needed
• Lead the collection, synthesis, and interpretation of member, stakeholder, and community feedback to identify trends, opportunities, and strategic recommendations.
• Other projects and initiatives as necessary

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance plan offerings that are 100% employer paid for employees and 65% paid for dependents
• Matching 401K plan
• Generous paid-leave program including parental leave and sabbatical leave
• Reimbursement for professional development opportunities
• Casual dress code

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree