Director of Applied Research & Policy

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Since 1979, Prosperity Now has been a trusted leader in strengthening financial security, expanding access to capital, and ensuring economic stability for businesses, families, and communities. We work across sectors to develop practical, scalable solutions that create lasting change through innovation, strategic investment, collaboration, and evidence-informed action.

Position Summary

The Director of Applied Research & Policy leads Prosperity Now's enterprise research agenda, ensuring the organization produces rigorous, nonpartisan, evidence-informed research that identifies practical solutions to strengthen financial well-being, expand opportunity, and improve economic prosperity. Reporting to the Chief Programs Officer, the Director establishes research priorities, oversees applied research projects, supervises the Applied Research & Policy Associate and future Research Scientist, and translates complex economic and social science evidence into actionable insights that inform program design, policy development, strategic partnerships, and organizational decision-making.

Unlike traditional academic or advocacy-focused research, Prosperity Now's applied research emphasizes objective analysis, methodological rigor, and practical application. The Director ensures the organization evaluates what works, why it works, and how research can inform more effective public policy, stronger markets, and scalable solutions.

Responsibilities: 

Research Strategy & Enterprise Leadership

• Develop and lead the enterprise applied research agenda aligned with organizational priorities.
• Establish research priorities, methodologies, quality standards, and publication schedules.
• Lead flagship initiatives including the State of Prosperity research portfolio.
• Advise executive leadership on economic, demographic, and policy trends.

Applied Research & Evidence Generation

• Direct quantitative and qualitative research on financial well-being, wealth-building, entrepreneurship, housing, tax opportunity, and family financial health.
• Ensure methodological rigor using appropriate economic and mixed-methods research.
• Evaluate policies, markets, and interventions using objective evidence.
• Oversee production of reports, briefs, dashboards, and research publications.

Policy Analysis & Solution Development

• Translate research findings into practical policy options and implementation strategies.
• Assess feasibility, tradeoffs, and expected outcomes of proposed solutions.
• Partner with Programs and Public Policy to ensure research informs organizational priorities.

Research Partnerships & Resource Development

• Develop partnerships with universities, research institutions, and government agencies.
• Support grant proposals by developing methodologies and technical narratives.
• Represent Prosperity Now through presentations and publications.

People Leadership

• Supervise, coach, and develop the Applied Research & Policy Associate and future Research Scientist.
• Establish research standards and review work products.

Organizational Culture

• Model collaborative leadership.
• Participate in planning, goal setting, and performance management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Master's degree required; Ph.D. preferred in Economics, Applied Economics, Public Policy, Anthropology, Sociology, Demography, Statistics, or related discipline.
• 8-10 years of progressively responsible applied research experience.
• Demonstrated experience producing objective, evidence-informed research.
• Strong grounding in economics, quantitative analysis, and mixed-methods research.
• Experience with large public datasets and STATA, R, Python, or equivalent.
• Experience supervising research staff.
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills.

Supervisory Responsibility: Applied Research & Policy Associate; future Research Scientist 

Supervisory Responsibility: None 

Work Environment and Travel: This job operates in a professional office environment and is 100% remote. 10% travel may be required. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This job description is subject to change at any time. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange information. The employee must frequently remain stationary and constantly operate computers and other office productivity machinery. 

FLSA Classification: Exempt 

Salary Range: Grade/Level: 3

Prosperity Now does not sponsor applicants for any kind of work visas. 

Prosperity Now is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that diversity of background and perspective are strengths, and seek to continue to grow a diverse, highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff. We encourage candidates from various backgrounds to apply.