Senior Manager, Applied Research & Evaluation

About Understood

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We raise awareness of the challenges and strengths of people who learn and think differently. Our resources help people navigate challenges, gain confidence, and find support and community so they can thrive. 

Having a shared commitment to our values is a key factor in any hire we make. We have five core values: 

1. Continuously learn.
2. Act with intention.
3. Champion difference.
4. Inspire change.
5. Grow together. 

Come be part of an organization with an entrepreneurial spirit that’s helping to shape the world for difference. Together, we can build a world where everyone can reach their full potential. 

To learn more about Understood, please visit: www.understood.org.

Who you are 

To advance Understood’s mission and to further our impact, we’re hiring a Senior Manager, Applied Research & Evaluation, reporting to our Associate Director, Applied Research & Evaluation. This role blends applied research, program evaluation, and cross-sector partnership to help Understood understand, assess, and communicate impact.

The ideal candidate is comfortable with conducting applied research and evaluation in an agile and fast-paced environment adapting rigorous methods to real-world and digital settings. You can translate research into practical insights that help teams improve products, content, and experiences. You’ll help tell Understood’s story in ways that resonate with different audiences, advancing our mission to help millions of families thrive with learning and thinking differences.

This is a hybrid role that requires a minimum of three (3) days a week in our NYC office, with a focus on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We are a Mac-based environment, and team members are provided a Mac laptop for their work.

What you’ll do

• Conduct and, as needed, coordinate applied research projects and utilization-focused or rapid-cycle evaluations using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.
• Use best practices in ethical and rigorous research in real-world and online settings while adapting for organizational needs and timelines.
• Contribute to a shared understanding across the organization of research processes and outcomes.
• Generate research- and evaluation-based insights that help improve our offerings for increased impact.
• Write descriptive, analytical, critical, and persuasive summaries, reports, briefs, presentations, and marketing materials that contribute to public and industry understanding of our impact.
• Contribute to the development of models and frameworks that position our impact within broader industry and research contexts.
• Support applied research and evaluation conducted with and for partner organizations in the fields of behavioral health, psychology, organizational psychology, and other social/behavioral sciences.
• Support the Advancement team with grant proposals to secure funding for the organization and applied research and evaluation projects through the development of protocols and assets.
• Maintain high standards for privacy and confidentiality, as well as data governance, management, and security.
• Eager to acquire new skills, take on new challenges, and grow with the position as it evolves.

Minimum qualifications

We don't expect a perfect match across every category. What matters is relevant experience, genuine interest in the work, and a mindset for growth.

In this role, you bring applied expertise and the ability to own components of a project or workstream end-to-end. You work with cross-functional partners, manage project-level milestones and risk, and contribute to budget planning.

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in the same or similar roles, including at least 3 years of experience in consumer or public-facing industries. You have contributed to projects or workstreams beyond assigned tasks.
• Domain expertise: You systematically investigate real-world challenges and assess the effectiveness of programs and interventions. You combine methodological rigor with practical problem-solving to produce evidence that informs strategy and drives improvement. You leverage quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to generate insights that support measurable impact and organizational learning.
• Strategic thinking and execution: You own components of a project or a routine workstream within a team. You solve problems within your assigned work and identify cross-project or cross-team issues. You connect your work to broader team goals.
• Stakeholder and cross-functional partnership: You work with teammates and key cross-functional partners for the project or workstream. You coordinate cross-functional work and hold partners accountable for on-time delivery.
• Communication: You communicate clearly with teammates, your manager, and cross-functional partners. You adapt your communication to the audience. 
• Data and analytics: You use data to develop insights and make decisions within owned components of a project or workstream.
• Project management: You plan and manage components of a project or workstream, including cross-functional dependencies. You set milestones, flag risks, and hold contributors accountable to deliver.
• AI fluency: You use AI tools to improve output and productivity. You apply AI to specific tasks or problems within your work. You follow company guidelines for responsible AI use.
• Collaboration and ways of working: You take ownership of work and align with team goals. You proactively identify improvements to processes or workflows. You respond to challenges with adaptability. You deliver high-quality work that supports team outcomes.

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced degree in research, psychology, education, or a related social/behavioral science field.
• Experience designing research for and with marginalized populations.
• Background in behavioral health and neurodiversity.
• Knowledge of one or more of the following: behavior change, human development, psychology, organizational psychology, critical theories, or related frameworks.

The base salary range for this role is a minimum of $115,000 - $130,000 maximum, depending on years of experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports wellness for our team members and their families. You can learn more about our benefits and offerings.

Understood.org does not sponsor applicants for work visas or legal permanent residence, including providing assistance with OPT extensions.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Understood encourages individuals of all learning styles and ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those whose life experiences may include the challenge of access due to a disability, to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to supporting this work.

Understood is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, alienage or citizenship status, marital or familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability (where the applicant or employee is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation), any protected military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault or offense, stalking, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law or that of persons with whom that individual associates, or any other legally protected characteristics.

For additional information on learning and thinking differences, including ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, executive function challenges, nonverbal learning disabilities, processing issues, and more, please visit www.understood.org.

#LI-BL1