Research and Strategic Learning Manager

Furman University•Lexington, MA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research and Strategic Learning Project Manager is responsible for managing applied research, program evaluation, and strategic learning projects. Working collaboratively with other Institute staff, faculty, clients, school districts, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community partners, the Project Manager ensures projects are completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with Institute, University, and funder expectations. The position combines project management, applied research, organizational consulting, and strategic learning to support the Riley Institute's mission of advancing evidence-based solutions to improve communities.

Requirements

Master’s degree required.
Experience managing complex research, evaluation, and strategic learning projects.
Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Strong knowledge of applied research and program evaluation methods.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong facilitation, relationship-building, and client management skills.
High emotional intelligence and ability to cultivate productive partnerships.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with research, survey, statistical, qualitative analysis, and project management software.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. preferred in one of a variety of disciplines, including evaluation, education, sociology, public health, psychology, political science, and other social science fields with completion of graduate course hours in research design, measurement, evaluation, and statistics.

Responsibilities

Serve as project manager for multiple applied research, evaluation, and strategic learning initiatives.
Develop project scopes, work plans, implementation schedules, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
Coordinate project teams that may include other Riley Institute staff, faculty, consultants, student interns, and community partners.
Monitor project progress, identify risks, and proactively resolve implementation challenges.
Organize project meetings, document decisions, and monitor completion of action items.
Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within scope, and consistent with quality standards.
Maintain project documentation and ensure compliance with university and sponsor requirements.
Prepare funder reports and project updates.
Design and manage process, implementation, and impact evaluations.
Develop evaluation plans and research protocols.
Secure and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval when appropriate.
Design surveys, interview protocols, focus groups, observation tools, and other data collection instruments.
Coordinate participant recruitment and data collection activities.
Analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
Prepare technical reports, executive summaries, presentations, manuscripts, and other dissemination products.
Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for clients and stakeholders.
Serve as the primary point of contact for nonprofit, educational, governmental, and community partners.
Develop scopes of work and contracts in collaboration with Institute leadership.
Build and maintain strong client relationships throughout project implementation.
Design and facilitate strategic learning processes that strengthen organizational capacity.
Help develop customized learning materials, curricula, case studies, workbooks, self-assessments, and facilitation resources.
Facilitate logic model development, theory of change development, strategic planning, and outcome measurement planning.
Prepare client reports and presentations that support continuous improvement and organizational decision-making.
Assist with grant writing, proposal development, budgeting, and project acquisition efforts.
Represent the Institute at community meetings with schools, nonprofit organizations, foundations, government agencies, and community partners.
Co-supervise student research interns and project assistants.
Attend all Institute staff meetings and flagship Institute events.
Pursue professional development to keep pace with demands for services and information, including maintaining up to date information about the department and university.
Complete performance review process with supervisor to understand job performance expectations and how they fit into the department and university goals.
Maintain confidentiality and security of research and organizational data.
Follow safety procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.