Position Summary:
The Senior Research Manager supports and advances the goals of Embrace Boston’s anti-racist and social justice research and policy work that seeks a thriving Greater Boston for all residents across all neighborhoods. We do this work through two broad categories: 1) descriptive analysis of how our region is changing and of the most pressing challenges we face as a community; and 2) action-oriented policy research that is more forward looking, presenting concrete ideas for organizers, advocates, and legislators to pursue in advancing racial and economic justice. To ensure that our work informs active efforts to improve our city, we work in close partnership with other Embrace Boston staff, community groups, civic leaders and Boston’s civic data community to produce special reports and host public convenings.
Essential Functions:
- Produce data-driven research, including data collection and analysis on topics related to, but certainly not limited to, demographic trends in Boston and Massachusetts, jobs and the economy, education, criminal justice, health and the racial wealth gap;
- Communicate research findings in ways that are accessible to a range of non-technical audiences, often through the production of reports, articles, factsheets, briefings and presentations;
- Develop and steward external relationships, helping the Director expand the reach and depth of connections with key partners and stakeholders;
- Manage projects over the full project pipeline from conception through to completion within established deadlines; and
- Co-facilitate and manage the development of new research.
Other Duties and Responsibilities:
- Individuals assigned to this position may perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Preparation, Knowledge, Previous Experience:
- Master’s degree required or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent related work experience; and
- 4 years professional experience, especially in social science research (preferred).
Skills, Abilities, Competencies:
- Proven commitment to racial and economic justice;
- Proven experience in conducting qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research;
- Strong written and oral communications skills, including public speaking and presentation skills;
- Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to lead complex projects;
- Proficiency using a statistical software package to analyze administrative and survey data - an example would be the ability to use R or STATA to analyze American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample files;
- Ability to access and use data from different US Census Bureau sources (e.g. the Decennial Census, the American Community Survey, the Current Population Survey);
- Ability and comfort working across a wide range of issue areas;
- Strong social science data collection skills;
- Proficiency analyzing large data sets in Excel;
- Ability to give and receive criticism constructively;
- Ability to meet tight deadlines under pressure;
- Ability to interact well with a diverse range of people;
- Flexible, collegial and supportive toward constituents and colleagues;
- Proven experience producing data driven research;
- Proficiency with Geographic Information System (GIS) applications (preferred);
- Graphic design skills (preferred); and
- Video production skills (preferred).
Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
- Ability to work for long periods of time at a workstation;
- Ability to use a computer monitor and keyboard for long periods of time; and
- Ability to work onsite and remotely, as required.
The content is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents, who are or become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act or applicable state law, must be able to perform the essential functions of the job (including those listed above) either with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation, if any, will be determined by management in consultation with the employee on a case-by-case basis.
This job description is intended to be general and may be revised from time to time. At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different or additional duties from time to time.
