Senior Director of Research and Evaluation

Job Title:  Senior Director of Research and Evaluation

Department: Social Impact

Location: Remote/Virtual

Reports to: Chief Impact Officer

Classification: Exempt

Position type: Full-Time Employee

Pay Band: $100,000 - $150,000

 

Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a growing non-profit (Military Service Organization (MSO)) with a history of delivering innovative solutions. We're the team that senior DoD leaders seek out when they want ground truth on issues facing our military families. Our team members are motivated individuals that help each other do remarkable things for military families to bridge the civilian-military divide every day.   We deliver first-class solutions that transform the military experience for military family members.  We operate in an agile arena where great minds come together to make life better for military members and their families.  We focus on data-driven insights while understanding the value of spirited storytelling.   And we do all this in a highly flexible, virtual environment with great benefits!  Our diverse and inclusive environment fosters a sense of belonging among our team resulting in innovative and creative decision-making.

Are you ready to make a difference for the families of those who serve our great nation?  We are the ideal match for the innovator, the out-of-the-box, strategic thinker who understands the value of social impact.

 

General Description

The  Senior Director of Research and Evaluation  will oversee all research  programs and initiatives.  They will work with the Chief Impact Officer and CEO  to define the goals, outcomes, and strategic direction of Blue Star Families’ research – including the annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS), Campaign for Inclusion (CFI), pulse checks, and program evaluation. They will collaborate on strategic levels with other departments of Blue Star Families to execute initiatives and share research findings with leadership, including, but not limited to Government Affairs, Chapters, National Programs, and the C-Suite. The Senior Director is responsible for cultivating relationships with key external stakeholders, working with the Development team to build relationships with future and current funders, and pursuing thought leadership opportunities in the military and Veteran service organization space. 

The portfolio of the Senior Director also includes identifying emerging issues within the military family community, proposing practical policy or programmatic solutions to those challenges, developing evidence-based policy recommendations for all Blue Star Families research reports, and building relationships with governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders to gain awareness and buy-in for those needs and solutions.

 

Key Job Functions

• Assist with the design and implementation of a long-term strategic research plan
• Help to develop and implement a strategic plan for increasing use of Blue Star Families’ research and recommendations across sectors (externally) and programs/chapters (internally) 
• Leverage research to support the organization’s fundraising efforts and to steward current/new funders
• Develop annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey Research Plan, incorporating associated projects as needed
• In partnership with the Director of the Campaign for Inclusion, develop research questions and strategies to engage with diverse military family communities
• Expand Blue Star Families’ thought leadership and subject matter expertise in military and Veteran family issues; participate in high-level presentations, media opportunities, and external engagement opportunities which align with Blue Star Families mission, policy priorities, and overall objectives 

• Ensure all research and evaluation methods and analysis are completed in an efficient and ethical manner that complies with industry standard best practices. 
• Create a strong and cohesive research team whose members are capable of operating independently and executing a project from inception to implementation
• Train, supervise, and appraise qualified personnel and consultants on the Research and Evaluation Team
• Maintain a professional climate that attracts, retains, and develops top quality personnel. 
• Ensure the timely production of research products, including reports, infographics, presentations and other data visualization materials.
• Ensure the timely delivery of all grant reporting and management of functional budget
• Assess new projects, assign to the appropriate team, and identify resources to support project execution.

• Prepare and participate in key presentations and media interviews grounded in Blue Star Families’ research to advance BSF’s mission
• Incorporate outreach and engagement strategies across Blue Star Families’ network to extend the reach and diversify survey participant demographics

• In partnership with the Government Relations team, oversee policy recommendation development and strategic advocacy 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

 

Required Experience, Skills, Background

• Master’s degree in social sciences or related field; PhD preferred
• Extensive experience in applied research (quantitative and qualitative) including the ability to design research instruments, manage research and evaluation teams, and apply findings into programming and policies
• 3+ years of managerial experience, including developing and managing budgets, and hiring, training, developing, supervising, and appraising personnel
• Proficiency in Salesforce CRM, Tableau, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite
• Understanding of non-profit organizations, grant and funder requirements 
• Experience with report production, including data visualization, infographic production preferred

• Demonstrated ability to adjust to evolving requirements while maintaining and delivering high-quality work products
• Proven skill in managing and prioritizing multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience speaking before live audiences and interacting on air with the media
• Occasional out of town, overnight travel may be required
• May occasionally be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary to carry out key job functions
• Ability to lift and carry supplies and equipment up to 30 lbs.

 

Desired Experience, Skills & Background

• PhD in social sciences or related field
• Familiarity with the military community, culture, lifestyle, organizational structure, terminology; familiarity with military family programming.
• Experience in social network theory or analysis

 

More About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families empowers military and Veteran families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors — both people and organizations — to create strong communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another.

Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation's awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, Blue Star Families is overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

Blue Star Families is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

 

EEO Policy

Blue Star Families is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

Why Blue Star Families?

• Virtual/remote nonprofit organization that moves with you (position specific)
• Career growth opportunities
• Excellent benefits (403(b) with matching, Flexible Spending, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Communications Allowance, and more)
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Leave for Active Duty Military Spouses
• On-the-job professional development training
• Front-line opportunity to positively impact the military experience
• Competitive salaries
• Workplace flexibility