Application Deadline: 30 June 2025

Department: 02. Design & Impact

Location: New York City, New York

Compensation: $125,000 - $165,000 / year

Description

The JED Foundation is seeking a Senior Director of Evaluation and Research Initiatives with experience in youth suicide prevention research to help lead our research program. The Senior Director will contribute to JED’s strong scientific core by directing and overseeing data analyses to ensure high-quality, accurate outcome data and information on programming and campaigns. This is an internal-facing, hands-on role focused on ensuring statistically sound data analyses, leading quality assurance and improvement (QA/QI) processes, IRB applications and modifications, and supporting JED’s growing independent and collaborative research efforts. The Senior Director will partner closely with leaders across JED to identify data analysis needs of various departments and to implement data feedback loops to inform quality assurance and improvement, as well as programmatic decision making. This position is responsible for managing a Senior Data Scientist to focus on overseeing research and program evaluation initiatives aimed at preventing young adult and teen suicide. The ideal candidate will have deep statistical expertise and a proven track record of developing and managing the day-to-day operations of program evaluation/research teams. In addition to leading JED’s program evaluation and QI/QA processes, the Senior Director will collaborate with colleagues within the Data & Impact team, senior leadership, as well as Knowledge & Advising and Young Adult Engagement teams on major research projects from conception to dissemination/publication. These cross-department collaborations include overseeing research/data analysts, vetting consultants and research firms, analyzing data, collecting input from expert stakeholders, writing up reports and publications, working with communications/marketing to promote research findings, and submitting manuscripts for publication. The ideal candidate will have experience contributing to successful grant applications, conducting research, managing multiple research/evaluation projects, and leading development of peer-reviewed manuscripts along with other dissemination efforts. Candidate Profile: Mental health methodologist with advanced statistical knowledge and program evaluation/QI/QA expertise. PhD in psychology, education, or equivalent degree aligned with JED’s work is required, with an understanding of public health systems, mental health care for young people, and implementation science being strongly preferred. Background experience working with large data sets and market research is desirable. Fluency in various statistical and data analytic/visualization packages/software is also preferred. Demonstrated experience with developing a learning culture and team management to effectively manage multiple streams of work simultaneously.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee program evaluation efforts, with close direction of data analyses and interpretation.
• Develop and oversee robust QI/QA processes, in partnership with School Programming Department, to support programmatic implementation, fidelity, decision making, and refinement.
• Create a durable structure to implement data feedback loops to educate staff and other JED stakeholders about the latest JED-generated findings and research.
• Contribute to JED’s thought leadership by proposing new project ideas based on internal data and gaps in the field.
• Support knowledge dissemination by developing quarterly Learning Briefs that report findings from JED’s evaluation efforts and original research.
• Oversee generation of research related to JED’s programs, conduct traditional academic studies, and collaborate internally and externally on a variety of market research projects.
• Build out program evaluation and research lab best practices.
• Responsible for IRB management, including submission of modifications as needed on existing protocols and preparing and submitting new research protocols, as needed. This work will require cross functional team collaboration with other JED departments, particularly School Programs & Consulting, Digital Product, Recruitment and Contracting, Legal, and Technology.
• Support writing grant proposals and grant deliverables, with occasional conversations with funders.
• Contribute to thought leadership and promotion of JED as an expert in mental health promotion and suicide prevention through peer-reviewed publications.
• Oversee Data Science team members to direct activities related to research and program evaluation projects.
  
  

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Competencies:

• Effectively conducting program evaluation activities of large, complex interventions.
• Expertise in developing robust QI/QA, fidelity procedures.
• Effectively manages own time and tasks and delegates responsibly with close oversight on key decisions and deliverables.
• Experience with cross team collaboration.

Scope and Execution:

• Seasoned Director, often with a larger span of control.
• Highly specialized skills with tested experience of ownership/leadership of critical organizational functions.
• Independently drives complex decisions with awareness of when to seek guidance.
• Identify organizational-level operational weaknesses and roadblocks and work to resolve them with other senior team members across the company.
• Proactively identify opportunities and implement ideas to improve the quality and efficiency of your function's output.
• Provides transparent and timely feedback to colleagues and direct reports to give visibility to areas of strength and opportunities for growth.

People Leadership & Management:

• Can independently navigate the most complex management challenges and know when to loop in others.
• Manage cross-functional relationships with other managers across the company.
• Take initiative for broad company projects where you direct other managers and leaders.
• May oversee other Directors.

Communication:

• Expert at communicating relevant and nuanced information to varying audiences. You liaise between employees and senior leadership.
• Help to shape broader company communications & messaging that drives performance, understanding, and connection.
• Mentor others in how to effectively organize and share stories/information within a functional area.

Collaboration and Cross Team Impact:

• Role model effective collaboration across distributed teams.
• Solve for information, communication, and cross-team process gaps or breakdowns in collaborative processes.

JED Citizenship

• Suspend ego and see beyond your own functional needs when working with others.
• Are a champion and model example of all JED's guiding principles and engage in evolving our standards with the organization.
• Reinforce our culture of belonging and inclusion; you showcase humility, empathy, respect, and connectedness in all of your interactions.
• Seize the opportunity to raise others' visibility.

Learning and Feedback:

• Have the network and comfort to effectively seek external advice and resources when the answer does not exist within your team or our walls.
• Drive innovation by introducing new information/best practices.
• You recognize when best practices are not "best" for JED, and can find alternate solutions to accomplish similar outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Psychology, education, or public health, equivalent degree is required.
• 7+ years of experience conducting research in the field of youth suicide prevention or JED-aligned interests, such as young adult mental health and wellness, help-seeking, equity, etc.
• 5+ years managing and mentoring a team. Research, analytical, and critical thinking abilities: data analysis, expertise in research and evaluation methodologies, clear presentation of results and ability to translate technical information to lay audiences.
• Experience conducting market research with firms to inform strategies for strengthening attitudes and behaviors related to mental health.
• Experience publishing research, data, and program outcomes.
• Experience with federal and private grant writing and orchestration.
• Experience managing a team of researchers.
• Excellent quantitative research skills, including experience with statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, PowerBI, Looker Studio).
• Experience with data management and data analysis techniques for large datasets.
• Working knowledge of machine learning and AI applications
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience in presenting research findings to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with program staff, funders, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Experience writing grant proposals and securing funding for research projects is preferred.
  
  

Job Benefits

At The Jed Foundation, we offer more than just great medical, dental, and vision benefits, a strong PTO policy, an EAP program, and a matching 401K. We provide an opportunity to be part of a team of amazing and compassionate employees dedicated to youth mental health. Our mission-driven environment fosters collaboration, innovation, and a deep sense of purpose. Join us to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the well-being of young people everywhere.

Work Authorization
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. JED does not provide employment visa sponsorship at this time.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement
We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know by responding to the confirmation emails you receive from us when you apply or schedule an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs in accordance with applicable laws.

Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") Statement
JED is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that values collaboration and creativity. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable state, federal, and local laws. We welcome and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply and contribute to our mission of protecting emotional health and preventing suicide.