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Research & Evaluation Director - Job Opportunity at The Fresh Air Fund

New York, US
Full-time
Senior
Posted: May 8, 2025
Hybrid
USD 100,000 - 110,000 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage demonstrating strong employee wellness focus
Flexible spending accounts supporting work-life balance
Competitive commuter benefits for NYC-based workforce
Employer-matched retirement contribution plan indicating long-term investment in employees
Progressive benefits package aligned with nonprofit sector standards

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic program evaluation design and implementation to measure $1.8M+ youth development impact
Drive data-informed decision making across organizational leadership
Develop and execute mixed-method research methodologies for comprehensive program assessment
Manage reporting systems and data infrastructure to enable evidence-based program improvements
Represent organization through research dissemination and professional network engagement
Synthesize complex data into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders including Board and donors
Lead technical infrastructure optimization in partnership with IT teams
Supervise and develop evaluation team members

Requirements

Education

Master's Degree or PhD required

Experience

8+ years relevant experience

Required Skills

Data management Survey research Program evaluation Data visualization Salesforce Tableau Excel SPSS Stata R ArcGIS SurveyMonkey Independent judgment Problem-solving Organizational skills Time management Written and verbal communication
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Increasing emphasis on data-driven decision making in nonprofit sector, particularly for program effectiveness and donor reporting Growing integration of technology and advanced analytics in social impact measurement Rising demand for sophisticated impact evaluation in youth development programs Shift toward hybrid work models in nonprofit leadership roles

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $100,000-110,000 is slightly below market for similar nonprofit research director roles in NYC, where comparable positions typically range from $115,000-135,000. However, the comprehensive benefits package helps offset this difference.

Role Significance

Small but growing team with 1-2 direct reports, typical for mid-sized nonprofit evaluation departments
Senior leadership position with direct CEO reporting relationship and significant influence on organizational strategy and program development

Key Projects

Development of comprehensive program evaluation frameworks Implementation of data infrastructure and reporting systems Strategic analysis of youth development program outcomes Stakeholder engagement and impact communication strategies

Success Factors

Ability to balance technical expertise with strategic leadership Strong stakeholder management across diverse audiences from program staff to board members Experience in youth development or education sector evaluation Capacity to translate complex data into actionable insights Track record of building evaluation capacity in mission-driven organizations

Market Demand

High demand for research and evaluation leaders in nonprofit sector, particularly those with both technical expertise and strategic leadership capabilities

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced quantitative and qualitative research methodologies Strategic leadership and stakeholder management Data visualization and communication Program evaluation design and implementation

Beneficial Skills

Grant writing and donor relations Academic research publication experience Youth development sector knowledge Change management expertise

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to influence youth development programs at scale
Combination of historic organization legacy with modern data-driven approach
Direct involvement in executive leadership team decisions
Balance of technical expertise with strategic influence

Career Growth

Typical tenure in this role is 3-5 years before progression to higher executive positions

Potential Next Roles

Chief Impact Officer Chief Research Officer Executive Director of Research Institution Independent Impact Evaluation Consultant

Company Overview

The Fresh Air Fund

Historic nonprofit with 145+ year legacy in youth development, serving over 1.8 million children through outdoor and educational programs

Well-established leader in NYC youth development sector with strong reputation and donor base
Primarily focused on NYC metropolitan area with significant local impact and partnerships
Mission-driven environment with emphasis on data-informed decision making and professional development
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