Research Director

Jobs to Move America; New York (NY); Remote; USD 1,00,000 - 1,25,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research Director to lead a dynamic research program focused on community benefits agreements. This role involves developing research methodologies, supervising a team, and producing impactful reports that drive advocacy efforts. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in research, particularly in labor rights and racial justice, and a passion for building equitable communities. Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to social justice and make a significant impact through your research expertise. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence policy and corporate behavior while working in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums

Generous paid time off

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Cell phone reimbursement

Utility/Internet stipend

Work from home office setup

Training and professional development opportunities

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in research, ideally in labor or advocacy.
• Strong communication and team leadership abilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee JMA's research methodology and program.
• Create training programs for researchers and lead team meetings.
• Supervise staff and provide feedback on research outputs.

Skills

Research Methodology Development

Supervisory Skills

Communication Skills

Relationship Building

Analytical Skills

Education

10+ years of research experience

Experience in labor unions or advocacy

Job description

Position: Research Director
Department: Research
Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt
Location: Remote (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Birmingham preferred)
Reports to: Deputy Executive Director
Salary Range: $100,000 – $125,000, based on relevant experience

JMA is working to build powerful coalitions to fight for community benefits agreements at green and high-tech manufacturers–companies that stand to benefit from billions of dollars of public investment. We want manufacturers to make real, legally-backed commitments to communities and workers for a voice on the job, equitable hiring and training, and other needs identified by communities. We have built up a team of organizers and researchers to help us win these agreements. We seek a Research Director to help us build and refine our research program, from producing academic quality reports on companies and industries, to conducting corporate research to help us win community benefits agreements. The Research Director will develop organization-wide research methodology and train and support researchers in developing campaign strategies and materials.

Who we are ─ About Jobs to Move America:
Jobs to Move America is a national and multi-regional strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website: www.jobstomoveamerica.org.

What You’ll Do ─ Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develop JMA’s research methodology and program
   • Create and standardize processes for how to build and carry out JMA research projects, including research on corporations, sectors, policy and worker/community surveys
   • Develop and oversee a standardized process for producing JMA’s public-facing reports and materials
   • Work with organizing and policy staff to provide lead thinking about strategy and research needs, purposes, outcomes, and plans for each of JMA’s campaigns and for JMA as an organization
   • Coordinate and catalogue JMA’s research work, ensuring it fulfills our campaign and organizational needs
   • Build and sustain relationships with JMA partners at academic institutions, solicit their support and feedback in producing or co-producing research products
2. Create training program for JMA’s researchers
   • Develop a curriculum for JMA’s researchers including onboarding new hires, training new researchers, and upskilling and coaching experienced researchers
   • Train researchers on how to effectively research corporate targets, new factory construction projects, key sectors, and public contracts and subsidies
   • Periodically run training workshops for new and current researchers
   • Nurture a culture of winning and institutionalizing protections and gains for working people and in particular impacted- and historically-marginalized communities and people of color
3. Supervise JMA staff
   • Lead regular Research team meetings for cross-team research coordination, planning, and training
   • Support JMA program directors, assistant program directors, and campaign managers in supervising researchers
   • Review all JMA research products and provide editing and feedback
   • Provide feedback to researchers to help them improve their research skills and strategies, participate in evaluations with researchers

About you ─ Required Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of experience as a researcher for labor unions, in policy or advocacy work, or in an academic field with a focus on workers rights or racial justice, with at least 4 years in a supervisory role
• Experience in producing externally-facing research products
• Experience conducting research on corporations, their structure and finances, and putting this research into action via campaign strategy and tactics
• Experience supervising researchers and leading them on campaigns; ideally would have experience in building a research program and developing methodology
• Strong verbal and exceptional written communication skills
• Ability to lead and inspire a team
• Ability to provide useful and effective feedback verbally and in writing
• Ability to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues across race and other group identities, including JMA employees as well as external partners
• Maintain a high level of timely follow-up to follow through on commitments
• Demonstrated self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions
• Ability to work independently and remotely when necessary

Other Physical Requirements:

• Communicate clearly over the phone with reasonable accommodations
• Routinely operate a laptop or computer
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards

What Else You Should Know ─ Compensation/Benefits:

• Salary Range $100,000 – $125,000 with annual salary increases
• Depending on geographic area, a one-time cost of living adjustment (COLA) may be added to the salary
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and dependents
• Generous paid time off including 12 personal days, 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays each year. JMA has a paid, two week winter break at the end of each year. Employees can accrue up to 20 vacation days and 20 sick days. After 5 years of work, all staff are eligible to apply for 3 months of sabbatical leave.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Utility/Internet monthly stipend for those working from home
• Work from home office set up provided if needed
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is a confidential/management level position and not a member of the bargaining unit.

How to Apply:

Complete this form and upload a cover letter, resume, and three professional references.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Only applications submitted via the above link will be considered. No phone calls, please. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications may not receive a reply.

JMA Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

We are an EEO/affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce zero-tolerance policies against discrimination and sexual harassment. Those who identify as persons of color, women, veterans, or formerly incarcerated persons, and/or have had experience working with one or more of those groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

JMA believes that diverse, engaged, and motivated employees are essential to achieving our goals of economic, racial, and social justice. JMA believes that each employee’s voice is valuable and that when all employees contribute ideas to the organization’s operation, it enhances the success of the organization overall.