Head of Research

LifeStance Health

1d•$210,000 - $225,000•Remote

About The Position

The Head of Research is responsible for advancing LifeStance’s enterprise research, outcomes, and external publication strategy by building scalable research infrastructure, translating real-world clinical data into evidence, and partnering across Clinical, Quality, Data Analytics, Operations, and external collaborators. Success looks like a clinically governed, methodologically rigorous research portfolio that differentiates LifeStance through measurable outcomes, high-quality publications, strategic partnerships, and actionable insights that improve care for patients and support clinicians. Consistent with LifeStance’s values, every member of the LifeStance team is expected to support each other and the mission, which may mean participating in projects and initiatives and performing functions and responsibilities not specifically outlined in this job description. Leaders at LifeStance are expected to foster a commitment to the organization values.

Requirements

Doctoral degree such as PhD, PsyD, MD, DrPH, ScD, or equivalent terminal degree in psychology, psychiatry, behavioral health, public health, health services research, statistics, data science, epidemiology, or a related field. Master’s degree with significant equivalent research leadership experience may be considered.
10+ years of progressive experience in clinical research, behavioral health research, health services research, outcomes research, quality improvement, data analytics, or a related healthcare research function.
5+ years of leadership experience managing research teams, cross-functional research programs, external collaborators, or complex multi-stakeholder research initiatives.
Demonstrated experience designing, analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating clinical or healthcare outcomes research using real-world data, EHR-derived data, claims data, survey data, or measurement-based care data.
Experience developing manuscripts, conference submissions, white papers, executive research summaries, or external publications.
No specific license is required unless the candidate’s professional discipline requires active licensure for the work performed.
Human subjects research training, IRB familiarity, or equivalent research compliance training required or completed upon hire.
Research strategy, study design, outcomes methodology, data interpretation, and evidence generation expertise.
Strong understanding of behavioral health care delivery, measurement-based care, quality improvement, and clinical governance.
Ability to translate complex data and research findings into clear, actionable recommendations for clinical, operational, and executive audiences.
Executive communication, publication development, stakeholder influence, and cross-functional leadership skills.
High standards for research ethics, data integrity, privacy, equity, and compliance.
Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States.
Demonstrates awareness, inclusivity, sensitivity, humility, and experience in working with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, sexual orientations, gender identities, and other various aspects of culture.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a large, multi-site, multi-state behavioral health, outpatient mental health, or healthcare delivery organization.
Peer-reviewed publication record, grant experience, academic partnership experience, or national conference presentation experience.
Experience with measurement-based care, patient-reported outcomes, real-world evidence, health equity research, value-based care, or predictive analytics.
Experience managing external research partnerships, vendors, consultants, or data collaboration agreements.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead the enterprise research strategy, including annual research priorities, publication roadmap, governance processes, and standards for ethical, compliant research execution.
Oversee analyses of LifeStance clinical, operational, and measurement-based care data ensuring priorities and strategies are guided by Clinical Excellence to produce actionable insights regarding access, engagement, quality, safety, clinical effectiveness, and patient outcomes.
Establish publication standards and oversee development of manuscripts, white papers, conference abstracts, annual outcomes reporting, and external-facing research narratives that strengthen LifeStance’s thought leadership.
Build scalable research operations, including project intake, prioritization, study design support, documentation, data request workflows, IRB and regulatory coordination, and reporting cadence.
Partner with Clinical Excellence, Quality, Legal/Compliance, Privacy, Data Insights, Informatics, Practice Operations, Strategy, and Finance to ensure research initiatives are strategically aligned, operationally feasible, and clinically meaningful.
Develop and manage research collaborations with academic institutions, health systems, professional organizations, vendors, and external experts to advance evidence generation and dissemination.
Collaborate with Clinical Excellence to translate research insights into clinical quality improvement priorities, measurement frameworks, and evidence-based recommendations that support clinicians and improve patient care.
Lead and develop research staff, consultants, and matrixed contributors by setting priorities, establishing clear expectations, providing coaching, and maintaining accountability for high-quality deliverables.
Ensure research activities align with applicable laws, regulations, privacy requirements, ethical standards, IRB expectations, and LifeStance policies governing data use, patient confidentiality, and external dissemination.
Prepare executive-ready updates, dashboards, recommendations, and presentations for senior leadership, governance committees, and other internal stakeholders.