Research and Strategic Learning Manager

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Job Title:

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Job Summary:

Job Description:

Responsibilities:

Project Management (30%)

• 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.

Research and Evaluation (25%)

• 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.

Strategic Learning and Organizational Consulting (25%)

• 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.

Institute Tasks and Development (20%)

• 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.

Reports to Riley Institute’s Director of Research and Strategic Learning: Works independently while collaborating closely with the Director and Assistant Directors of Research and Strategic Leaning. Exercises independent judgment in managing day-to-day project activities while consulting with the Director on major strategic, financial, and personnel decisions.

Education, Skills, and Abilities

·       Master’s degree required. 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.

·       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.

Work Conditions: Position requires simultaneous management of multiple complex projects involving diverse organizations, stakeholders, and data. Most work may be completed in a hybrid work environment; however, periodic travel throughout South Carolina for client meetings, workshops, research activities, and community engagement is expected. Occasional evening meetings may be required.

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Job Posting End Date (if date is blank, posting is open ended):