Description
Summary:
The ASPCA is seeking a Director of Research to join our Strategy & Research team – a thoughtful and mission-driven team that collaborates across the organization to develop, refine, and execute the ASPCA’s organization-wide priorities through strategy, research, program evaluation, and planning. Our work addresses a wide range of topics that directly impact our internal programs as well as the field of animal welfare. In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to work on research that both derives from and informs top strategic initiatives that are at the forefront of the ASPCA's innovation.
Veterinary Science Focus
The person in this position is responsible for identifying, designing, and implementing important research that informs the Veterinary Science issues that are at the core of the ASPCA’s programmatic work in animal cruelty prevention/response, access to care, and animal sheltering. They will contribute to the development and execution of strategies and accelerating impact by conducting in-depth studies across ASPCA programs and other research settings (e.g., shelters, spay/neuter clinics, communities) to advance evidence-based practice both at the ASPCA and in the external animal welfare space. In addition to leading veterinary research, this position will include numerous assignments across the organization’s research portfolio in other disciplines. The percentage of time dedicated to clinical research will vary. The person in this position will also lead or participate in programmatic focus area- and organizational-level initiatives to advance research internal and external to the ASPCA.
Working under the supervision of the Vice President of Research, the Director of Research leads the design and development of research projects in collaboration with program teams within the ASPCA. In addition to strong research and analytical skills, this position requires an individual with a collaborative work style, experience in project management, and the ability to lead teams in a matrix structure, often without direct authority. Passion for aligning research with strategy, and for translating research into practice, is essential. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with experience in facilitating and developing insights and translating them into clear, actionable recommendations and communications for internal and external audiences. They will bring a passion for thinking critically, connecting different types of work, and gaining support from cross-functional teams. Candidates may come from a diverse range of disciplinary or applied backgrounds, so long as these provide most or all of the desired skills and experience listed below in some form.
Directors of Research collaboratively design and conduct research and analyses that 1) illuminate current and future trends in the animal welfare landscape and 2) aim to directly influence attitudinal and behavior change by key stakeholders in that landscape. Work activities may include literature review, research/evaluation design, managing research projects, data collection and analysis, creation of peer-reviewed publications and other publications/presentations for key audiences, participating in initiatives to advance external research, and providing expert input and insight for ASPCA projects and programs. In addition, Directors work together with colleagues and relevant teams to plan how research results will be used and communicated internally and externally.
This remote-based position (which requires travel, as described below) is open to all candidates based within the United States.
Requirements
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Design and conduct collaborative research (50%):
Creatively use data sources and interdisciplinary approaches to answer priority research questions that drive the ASPCA’s and the animal welfare field’s work forward
Strategically identify and prioritize research questions with the greatest potential impact on organizational priorities and the animal welfare field
Effectively lead research projects with minimal supervision
Conduct analyses of data to compare and evaluate various courses of action
Scope projects appropriately, help define roles and responsibilities, and outline timelines, communicating effectively across multiple stakeholder groups
Complete specific components of individual research projects by applying individual expertise
Recognize when the work needs to change in scope or if the overarching goal of the work needs to be revisited, and generate appropriate solutions
Identify key audiences for uptake of the research to support the development of an internal and external communication plan for the completed work
Lead or participate in programmatic focus area- and organizational-level initiatives to advance research internal and external to the ASPCA: e.g., ASPCA sponsored research grant programs, annual ASPCA Research Forum, selection of research interns, ongoing development of ASPCA research policies and processes
Manage consultants and temps when needed
Mentor interns and junior colleagues in research, strategy, and tactics for success
Communicate research to diverse audiences through journal articles, reports and presentations
Provide Expertise and Share Knowledge (30%):
Maintain and develop subject matter expertise relevant to the work of the ASPCA to provide input on area of expertise across the ASPCA
Generate new ways to apply subject matter expertise to enhance the work of the ASPCA
Translate subject matter expertise into meaningful insights to guide the ASPCA’s strategic and programmatic work
Stay generally abreast of field of animal welfare in the programmatic focus areas to share new research to drive change
Build and maintain partnerships with organizations, universities, and other institutions working at the nexus of animal welfare and subject matter expertise
Be a strategic thought partner with other ASPCA departments and teams (20%):
Quickly and creatively develop effective relationships with colleagues
Assist with identifying and prioritizing the most impactful work using subject matter expertise
Guide program direction for partner departments and programmatic focus areas across the organization by identifying or developing and analyzing data and transforming it into meaningful insights
Guide teams across the ASPCA to identify research that would drive programmatic focus areas’ goals
Collaborate across the organization by elevating data-driven insights that support the creation and successful execution of the ASPCA’s Strategy
Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:
Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
Believes in Team – that we are stronger together
Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible.
Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals
Education:
Doctorate required
Language:
English (required)
Work Experience
Minimum of 6 years of research in a field applicable to animal welfare required
Experience writing peer-reviewed scientific publications required
Experience with public speaking preferred; experience presenting research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences strongly preferred
Experience in nontraditional research settings (nonprofit, government) strongly preferred
Experience with research communications and translation for applied audiences strongly preferred
Experience with program evaluation preferred
Experience with supervision of staff, interns, temp employees and/or contractors preferred
Qualifications:
Familiarity with topics and methods in veterinary research required; familiarity with research on the welfare of cats, dogs, equines, and/or farm animals strongly preferred
Ability to apply discipline-specific tools and knowledge to novel questions in animal welfare, required
Knowledge of various forms of research required
Knowledge of various experimental designs and threats to validity (internal and external) addressed by each, required
Demonstrated ability to identify data sources for research and to assess the quality of these data sources, required
Strong statistical analysis skills, including proficiency with statistical software (R, Python, SPSS, Stata, etc.) and Excel, as well as data summary and visualization skills, required
Strong project oversight and management skills required including excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication (verbal, written, and typing) skills with a wide range of audiences of varying professional backgrounds and levels as well as the ability to manage activities without direct authority
Familiarity with implementation science strongly preferred
Additional Information:
Must be a self-guided, creative, highly organized, and motivated individual requiring minimal supervision
Must have strong ability to rapidly assimilate new information
Must be able to quickly, calmly, and efficiently adjust to changes in programmatic, strategic, and/or research direction
Must be nimble and able to rapidly re-prioritize own work
Must be able to work confidently and independently in a remote office
Ability and willingness to travel up to 15% of the time as needed
Compensation
The target hiring range is based on where the employee works, which for remote roles is the employee’s primary location of residence, and its respective cost of labor. You can view which zone applies to you based on your location (aspca.app.box.com/v/aspcazonetable). For questions regarding locations not on the list, please send an email to [email protected] for more information.
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary ranges for this role are set forth below and may be modified in the future.
Zone 1: $99,000 - $106,000 annually
Zone 2: $110, 000 - $117,000 annually
Zone 3: $121,000 - $129,000 annually
Benefits
At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.
For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website: careers.aspca.org
Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community
If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please visit our website to join our Talent Community and stay connected to future opportunities at the ASPCA.
Qualifications:
See above for qualifications details.
Language:
English (Required)
Education and Work Experience:
Bachelors (Required), Masters
Our EEO Policy:
The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).
