Director of Research

Job Description

Job Description

Title: DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Los Angeles, California
Classification: Exempt
Salary Range: $120,000–$140,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
Work Schedule: Onsite Monday through Thursday; remote work Friday

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Research and Evaluation provides strategic leadership for National Health Foundation's (NHF) organizational research, data collection, program evaluation, and impact measurement efforts.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director will develop and oversee systems that enable NHF to effectively collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate data demonstrating program outcomes and organizational impact. This position will work closely with executive leadership and program teams to ensure NHF's programs are informed by evidence, supported by reliable data, and evaluated using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

The Director will lead research and evaluation initiatives that advance NHF's mission of improving the health and well-being of individuals and underserved communities by addressing social determinants of health and bridging gaps within the healthcare system.

Research priorities and areas of focus will be developed in collaboration with and approved by the CEO.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND INITIATIVES

Research & Evaluation Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for NHF's organizational research, evaluation, data collection, and impact measurement activities.
• Develop and implement an organization-wide research and evaluation strategy aligned with NHF's mission, strategic priorities, programs, and funding requirements.
• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership to identify research priorities, organizational questions, evaluation opportunities, and emerging areas requiring further study.
• Lead project-specific research and evaluation initiatives from design through implementation, analysis, reporting, and dissemination.
• Identify and evaluate internal and external research opportunities and recommend priorities based on organizational need, feasibility, and potential impact.
• Serve as NHF's subject-matter expert regarding research methodology, program evaluation, impact measurement, and data-informed decision-making.

Data Collection & Management

• Establish standardized processes and systems for collecting reliable organizational and program-level data.
• Design comprehensive data collection tools and methodologies based on evaluation objectives, available baseline information, target populations, program activities, and intended use of findings.
• Develop surveys, questionnaires, interview protocols, focus groups, assessments, and other qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments.
• Establish protocols for data quality, validation, security, storage, confidentiality, retrieval, and retention.
• Monitor the quality and consistency of data collected across NHF programs and identify opportunities to strengthen data collection practices.
• Work collaboratively with program leadership to ensure data requirements are practical, clearly understood, and consistently implemented.

Program Evaluation & Impact Measurement

• Develop comprehensive evaluation frameworks to measure program effectiveness, outcomes, fidelity, and organizational impact.
• Develop and maintain program logic models, theories of change, outcome measures, key performance indicators, and evaluation plans.
• Establish baseline measures and appropriate performance benchmarks to evaluate program effectiveness over time.
• Evaluate whether programs and interventions are achieving intended outcomes and identify opportunities for program improvement.
• Translate organizational goals and programming activities into measurable outcomes.
• Support leadership in using evaluation findings to strengthen programs, improve service delivery, and inform strategic decisions.

Research & Statistical Analysis

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses using appropriate research methodologies.
• Perform statistical analyses beyond basic descriptive statistics when necessary to identify trends, relationships, outcomes, and areas requiring further investigation.
• Interpret complex data and translate findings into understandable and actionable information for leadership, staff, funders, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to replicate or adapt successful research instruments, evaluation tools, and methodologies across NHF programs and populations.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging research, evidence-based practices, and developments related to social determinants of health, healthcare access, homelessness, recuperative care, and community health.

Reporting & Dissemination

• Prepare comprehensive research and evaluation reports documenting methodology, findings, outcomes, trends, and recommendations.
• Develop dashboards, executive summaries, presentations, and other tools that clearly communicate NHF's organizational and program impact.
• Provide data and evaluation findings to support grant applications, grant reporting, fundraising initiatives, strategic planning, and external partnerships.
• Present research findings and organizational outcomes to executive leadership, funders, community partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to disseminate significant findings through professional publications, peer-reviewed journals, conferences, presentations, and other appropriate forums.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to strengthen NHF's ability to demonstrate measurable community and healthcare impact.

Research Compliance & Partnerships

• Determine when research activities may require Institutional Review Board (IRB) review or other research oversight.
• Identify and coordinate with appropriate IRBs, academic institutions, research organizations, consultants, and external partners when necessary.
• Ensure research and evaluation activities appropriately protect participant confidentiality and sensitive information.
• Maintain appropriate documentation related to research methodology, data collection, approvals, and findings.
• Oversee research consultants, vendors, interns, or other staff supporting research and evaluation initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain compliance with NHF policies and procedures and applicable legal, ethical, contractual, and funding requirements.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree required in Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, Biostatistics, Behavioral Science, Social Science, Health Services Research, Public Policy, Evaluation, or a closely related field.
• PHD – Preferred 
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in research, evaluation, healthcare, public health, community-based programs, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation projects.
• Demonstrated experience collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting complex data.
• Experience evaluating healthcare, public health, homelessness, social services, or community-based programs strongly preferred.
• Experience developing organizational or program-level outcome measures, evaluation frameworks, logic models, and theories of change preferred.
• Experience producing research reports, professional publications, presentations, or other formal dissemination of findings preferred.
• Supervisory, project leadership, or consultant management experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to:

• Design and implement qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Collect, validate, analyze, interpret, and communicate statistical and programmatic data.
• Develop surveys, assessment instruments, focus groups, interview protocols, and other data collection tools.
• Apply statistical and analytical methods appropriate to research and program evaluation.
• Develop meaningful performance indicators and measures of organizational impact.
• Translate complex research and data findings into clear recommendations for executive and operational audiences.
• Manage multiple research and evaluation projects simultaneously.
• Exercise sound independent judgment while collaborating effectively with executive leadership and program teams.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with diverse internal and external audiences.
• Prepare professional reports, presentations, research summaries, and publications.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance to staff, consultants, and organizational partners.
• Work effectively across departments and organizational levels.
• Adapt research and evaluation priorities to evolving programmatic, operational, funding, and strategic needs.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately manage sensitive organizational and participant information.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency with statistical/analytical software, databases, spreadsheets, and data-management systems.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid California driver's license and automobile insurance.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel to NHF program locations, community meetings, conferences, and partner organizations as required.
• Ability to maintain regular onsite presence consistent with NHF's established work schedule.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform primarily office-based work, including extended periods of sitting and computer use.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, and climb stairs.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to travel to meetings, program locations, and other business-related activities as required.
• Regular use of computers, telephones, printers, and other standard office equipment.

ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

National Health Foundation works to improve the health and well-being of underserved communities by addressing social determinants of health and bridging gaps within the healthcare system.

NHF's programs and initiatives address areas including housing and recuperative care, food access, community health, the built environment, and other conditions that influence individual and community health outcomes.

The Director of Research and Evaluation will play a critical role in strengthening NHF's ability to measure these efforts, demonstrate their impact, identify opportunities for improvement, and use research and data to inform the organization's continued growth and strategic direction.

For additional information about National Health Foundation, visit