The Organization
About CEP
For two decades years, CEP has led the movement to improve philanthropy through a powerful combination of dispassionate analysis and a passionate commitment to improving lives. Today, over 300 foundations around the world have used CEP’s assessments and advisory services to gather honest feedback from their stakeholders in an effort to learn how to be even more effective. CEOs and trustees have come to rely on our research for insights into foundation effectiveness on a wide range of topics, from assessing performance to developing strategy to managing stakeholder relationships. Our highly regarded programming—including our biennial conference—gives foundation leaders an exclusive and unprecedented opportunity to connect with their peers. CEP is based in Cambridge Massachusetts, with a second office in San Francisco, California. Strengths of CEP’s work culture are entrepreneurialism, accountability, teamwork, collegiality, diversity, and mutual respect.
Location
We strive to balance in-person time with flexibility and the needs of each person, their team, and the larger organization. We believe culture, communication, trust, training, and certain kinds of creative work benefit from in-office interactions – and we believe that the flexibility of remote work also has many advantages. While most staff are currently working remotely full time, safety permitting we aim to return to the office in late winter/early spring. Moving forward staff are expected to be in the office at least two days per week, and everyone will enjoy the option to work fully remotely from anywhere four weeks per year.
Position Overview
The research team at The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) seeks a highly motivated Manager with a desire to utilize their abilities to create positive social impact by improving the performance of charitable funders. We are seeking a candidate with significant research skills and an interest in conducting and managing research projects. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong desire and ability to guide, train, and mentor junior research staff on a small team. This position is based in CEP’s offices in Cambridge, MA or San Francisco, CA.
We seek a candidate who:
· Enjoys working with the intricacies of data analysis and research design but is also focused on ensuring findings are practical, accessible, and actionable
· Possesses a fervent commitment to getting things right and will share CEP’s belief that sweating the small stuff does, indeed, matter
· Has a strong work ethic, the ability to focus simultaneously on the big picture as well as the details involved in driving work to successful completion, and the flexibility to be a producer one moment and a manager the next
· Values and fosters a positive team culture, collaboration, and bringing out the best in each other
As Manager, you will design data collection instruments, such as surveys and interview protocols, and collect and interpret large sets of quantitative and qualitative data using a variety of analytical and statistical methods. You will also provide guidance and training to junior research staff in research design and analysis skills. Reporting to, and working closely with, the Vice President – Research, you will work collaboratively within and across departments and represent CEP and its research findings at conferences, webinars, and other events.
Responsibilities
· Manage or support all aspects of research projects related to the effectiveness of funders and nonprofit organizations, including the conceptualization, design, execution, analysis, writing, and presentation of results
· Design research questions, survey instruments, and interview protocols
· Plan, conduct, oversee, and interpret analyses of large-scale datasets using a variety of methods, such as t-test, chi-square, analysis of variance, and regression—and manage junior staff as they carry out these processes
· Develop research findings based on results of analyses, taking into account the utility and practical application of the research
· Present research internally and externally, including representing CEP at local and national speaking engagements and conferences
· Provide coaching, mentoring, and training to junior staff on all aspects of the research process with guidance from the Vice President – Research
· Ensure that research projects meet team and organizational standards, and are completed in a timely manner
· Contribute to innovation and the continued learning of the research team
· Contribute to strategic decisions related to the framing of reports and review findings
· Co-author reports and author blog posts and other communications about research findings
Qualifications
- Advanced degree (Masters and/or PhD) in related field (e.g. statistics, business, economics, education, political science, psychology, sociology) required
- At least five years of work experience applying data to organizational, sector-wide, or subject-specific issues with previous consulting, foundation, and/or other nonprofit experience highly desired
· Demonstrated experience developing surveys and interview protocols
· Demonstrated expertise interpreting basic quantitative methodologies, including t-test, chi-square, analysis of variance, and regression. Knowledge of advanced statistical methods preferred (e.g., factor analysis, multi-level models, cluster analysis)
· Demonstrated expertise with basic qualitative methodologies. Experience conducting research interviews preferred
· Aptitude for learning new methods of analysis and data-analysis programs
· Excellent attention to detail and organization skills, with a focus on accuracy and quality control
· Excellent project management skills, with the desire to work collaboratively in teams and manage multiple projects with complex deliverables in a fast-paced environment
· Experience leading teams and mentoring and training junior staff members, with the ability to collaborate effectively with remote colleagues Experience teaching research and data analysis skills
· Experience developing and delivering presentations
· Enthusiasm for about improving the effectiveness of philanthropy and of the nonprofit sector broadly
· Travel annually of up to 15% will be required of this position to present research findings and represent CEP at conferences and events
Desired Professional Attributes
· Research projects are carried out by project teams. Successful candidates for the Research Manager role will be those who enjoy working collaboratively, are hard-working, empathetic, team-oriented, reliable, and bring a positive and upbeat attitude to their work
- An important element of this role will be mentoring and guiding the development of junior staff. The successful candidate will be someone who understands the importance of this responsibility, while being receptive to developing these skills, for the success of the full team
- Like CEP as an organization, Research Managers must be confident that their work makes a difference but humble in the knowledge that they and CEP are always learning and improving
Benefits
Our nonprofit model is central to our identity: our bottom line is impact, not profit. Yet even as a nonprofit, we successfully compete for top talent across both the public and private sectors and offer competitive compensation and benefits, including:
- A commitment to pay parity and salary equity. The annual salary for this role is $125,698 (MA)/ $138,268 (CA)
- Performance based incentive compensation plan
- Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans
- Generous paid time off plan, including up to 15 holidays, three weeks of accrued vacation, and two personal days per year
- Flexible working schedule options
- 401(k) plan with a 1:1 Employer Match up to 5% of total compensation
- Generous annual personal professional development allowance
- Flexible spending and dependent care tax free savings plans
- Life insurance covered 100% by the organization
How To Apply
Please fill out our application for employment and attach a resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. If you have any questions, please contact Leaha Wynn, Manager, People and Culture and D&I Strategist or Alyse d’Amico, Vice President of People and Culture at jobs [at] cep [dot] org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
We believe that a diversity of thoughts, experiences, backgrounds, personalities, and identities helps us think bigger and better, and enables us to reach our goals more effectively. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Once a candidate begins our process, we discourage outreach to our staff for interviews or conversations that are outside our standard interview process. We have worked hard to design a process that is fair and rigorous and achieves a good match between candidates and CEP/YouthTruth.
We evaluate candidates based on their merits. We strongly discourage unsolicited references. We will ask for references if and when a candidacy reaches a finalist stage.