Senior Vice President of Research and Insights

This position is accepting applications on a rolling basis.

This position may be based at the Tulsa or Oklahoma City office.

Job purpose

The Senior Vice President of Research and Insights is Healthy Minds' chief researcher and data translator, leading the organization's efforts to understand and promote how Oklahoma can improve economic and societal outcomes by addressing its unique mental health challenges and opportunities. Its primary charge is to conduct research and data analyses that support the organization's work to transform statewide outcomes and demonstrate its vision of making mental health the catalyst for a more prosperous state. This includes:

• Synthesizing publicly available data and leading original research initiatives to inform policymakers about the state of mental health in Oklahoma and its communities, such as Healthy Minds' 2025 State of Suicide report.
• Uncovering unique, locally relevant insights about how addressing mental health and substance use can improve costs and outcomes in education, public safety, the economy, health care and other systems. One example is Healthy Minds' 2025 research on the cost savings of diversion from criminal justice systems.
• Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of mental health systems relevant to Healthy Minds' four strategic focus areas - affordable, accessible care; youth and families; mental health workforce; and diversion to appropriate care - including through community needs assessments.

As the leader of Healthy Minds' Research and Insights Division, this position serves on Healthy Minds' internal leadership team, reports to the President and CEO, and manages a several direct reports. It is a key contributor to the organization's goal of transforming mental health outcomes in Oklahoma and is responsible for its essential data functions including public health data surveillance, database management, and data governance. Essential duties include developing a research agenda, writing and reviewing public-facing reports, analyzing public health datasets, conducting community needs assessments, and performing program evaluations.

A successful candidate can use research and data strategically to influence and motivate policymakers; expertly execute quantitative and qualitative research; and communicate clearly and succinctly to non-expert audiences, especially through writing. Although deep expertise in each facet of the position is not required, a successful candidate has enough familiarity with behavioral health and public health concepts, research methodologies, and public health data to contribute meaningfully to all activities of the Research and Insights Division and oversee and guide more specialized staff and consultants.

Responsibilities

The following duties may represent the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Produce written publications on key, relevant mental health trends in Oklahoma using public health data surveillance and novel research methods.
• Conduct regular public health data surveillance for the purpose of alerting internal staff and key external audiences of important trends.
• Explore and propose impactful ways for Healthy Minds to educate audiences on the status of mental health in Oklahoma, including novel ways of gaining the interest of business community, community leaders, and legislators.
• Provide project oversight and project management for consultant-led research in coordination with internal experts in other divisions.
• Ensure research standards, practices, and methodologies are adequate and standardized in the Research and Insights Division and across the organization.
• Oversee Healthy Minds' data inventory and data governance policies with support from a lead data staff member.
• Ensure the adequate use of lived experience expertise across all relevant areas of Healthy Minds' strategies and work products, including by overseeing a lived experience council.
• Produce community needs assessments in consultation with other internal divisions and both in-house and contracted evaluators.
• Maintain the organization's online data explorer in collaboration with Healthy Minds' communications staff.
• Contribute as needed to policy analyses and local community research projects.
• Assess the impact of Healthy Minds' policy and community successes over time.

Required qualifications

• A master's degree, J.D., or PhD
• At least seven years of directly relevant professional experience
• Knowledge in behavioral health and/or public health topics
• Experience leading and managing projects
• Familiarity with public health data and datasets
• Strong familiarity with research processes and program evaluation concepts
• Strong writing skills
• Experience managing staff

Essential strengths

• Passionate about improving mental health outcomes.
• Strategic thinker and adept at clear, concise, and persuasive communication.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented.
• Thrives when collaborating with diverse groups of internal and external partners.
• Curious and comfortable with a trial-and-error approach to problem solving.
• Adapts quickly and calmly to urgent situations and changing circumstances.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development.

Work environment and physical requirements

• This is a hybrid position, with 2.5 days each week required at the Tulsa or Oklahoma City office.
• Reliable internet access is required for at-home workdays.
• Occasional travel between Tulsa and Oklahoma City offices is required. Statewide travel may be assigned for meetings or events outside of the two metro areas.
• Regular work hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Candidates must be able to work in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time.

Compensation and benefits

• Compensation range: $115,000 to $140,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• Relocation assistance negotiable for out-of-state applicants
• Medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability insurance: 100% employer-paid for full-time employees; dependent coverage available with employee cost-sharing for health insurance (currently approximately 22% employee-paid).
• Automatic 7% employer-funded 401K contributions with no vesting schedule.
• Three weeks PTO and two weeks paid sick leave.
• 10 paid company holidays and two employee-directed floating holidays, plus time off for work days between Christmas Day and New Years Day.
• Employer-paid AD&D and life insurance, with optional supplemental employee-paid life insurance.
• Opportunities for professional development.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Healthy Minds Policy Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply.