Director of Applied Research

CFED is a 32-year-old national organization with a mission of expanding financial access, security and opportunity for low and moderate income communities. We help Americans access financial products and services, start and grow businesses, go to college or pursue other forms of post-secondary education, own a home, and save for their children’s and own economic futures. Our model is to identify promising ideas, test and refine them in communities to find out what works, craft policies and products to help good ideas reach scale, and make markets more inclusive to promote lasting change.

We seek a Director of Applied Research to help CFED define and advance a research agenda that identifies, investigates and advances effective policy, product and program strategies to expand financial access, security and opportunity. The Director is responsible for the development of key research publications, provides research support and consultation to our program and policy teams, and collaborates with research partners in government, academia and community-based institutions. The incumbent will be based in our Washington D.C. office, managing a high capacity team of three and reporting to the Vice President for Policy & Research. CFED’s staff thrives on open collaboration, intellectual curiosity, an energetic, entrepreneurial approach to challenges, and hard work and drive toward fulfilling our mission. Our successful candidate will embody those values.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the framing, development and periodic update of CFED’s research agenda.
• Serve as the senior technical expert guiding the organization’s research design and program evaluation, working across CFED’s projects, and with outside experts and consultants as needed.
• Conduct research and analyses that support new and existing projects.
• Author research publications and identify opportunities to present findings at meetings and conferences.
• Continue to build CFED’s reputation and capacity to serve as a national hub for research on household financial security needs and strategies. Serve as a key organizational spokesperson.
• Develop and maintain research relationships with government, academic, practitioner and philanthropic partners.
• Steward relationships with funders, ensuring their continued engagement in CFED’s work. Develop concept papers, contribute to grant proposals, and support government contracting activities to underwrite our research activities.
• Play a leadership role in defining the longer-term business model for CFED’s research intermediary function.
• Perform project and team management functions, including staff supervision and support, budget management and strategic planning.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in economics, political science, sociology, or public policy.
• Minimum of seven years experience with applied research and policy analysis.
• Experience formulating, conducting, and managing research projects.
• Experience evaluating programs, including developing logic models, identifying key indicators, supervising outside evaluators, and designing data collection methods. Familiarity with a broad range of research methodologies required. Experience conducting experimental program evaluation in the field is a significant plus.
• Experience with qualitative evaluation methods, including articulation of theory of change, case studies, and organizational reviews.
• Experience with quantitative research methods, including statistical analysis, data collection, manipulation, and management.
• Experience in one or more of CFED’s areas of focus - financial access and protection, entrepreneurship, affordable housing, and/or asset building strongly preferred.
• Demonstrably strong writing skills, particularly in the presentation of research findings to non-technical audiences.
• Excellent computer skills. Proficiency with Word, Excel, Access, JMP/SAS or other statistical analysis program.
• Strong organization skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills, in both small and large group formats.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and peers.
• Experience managing project budgets and personnel.

To apply, submit your cover letter and resume online: Click here to Apply. CFED 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.

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