Director, Survey Center

University System of New Hampshire; Durham (NH); On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of the Survey Center at University System of New Hampshire provides strategic, administrative, and operational leadership for one of the region's premier academic survey research organizations. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the Director oversees research portfolio, staff management, financial sustainability, and public engagement.

The role drives methodological rigor across mail, telephone, web, internet, email, and self-administered surveys, guiding

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant social science field (Political Science, Sociology, Psychology).
• 10+ years of progressively responsible research and program leadership experience.
• 10 years of experience building high-performance teams.
• 10 years of experience securing externally funded grants.
• Media engagement experience as a recognized expert or spokesperson.
• Extensive experience navigating university structures and constraints.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Survey Center's strategic, administrative, and operational leadership.
• Oversee staff management, financial sustainability, and methodological rigor.
• Represent the Center and UNH in national/regional professional organizations.
• Develop and manage grants, contracts, and multi-year financial plans.
• Lead the States of Opinion Project and ensure high-quality data collection.
• Publish methodological summaries, reports, and client deliverables.
• Coordinate public affairs, media relations, and dissemination of results.

Skills

Staff leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Grant funding experience

Remote team management

Public engagement

Media relations

Education

Ph.D. in social science

Job description

The Director of the Survey Center provides strategic, administrative, and operational leadership for one of the region's premier academic survey research organizations. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts (COLA), the Director oversees all aspects of the Center's research portfolio, staff management, financial sustainability, methodological rigor, and public engagement. The Survey Center conducts mail, telephone, web panel, internet, email, and self-administered surveys for university researchers, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and media partners.

Duties/Responsibilities

Leadership & Staff Management (40%)

• Directly supervise and manage status professional staff, ensuring high standards of methodological quality, project execution, and client service.
• Provide indirect supervision for adjunct (part-time) employees, including interviewers, research assistants, project support staff, and student workers.
• Lead Survey Center team to ensure accountability for deliverables while providing mentorship and direction to reach their full potential.
• Establish and maintain Survey Center policies, standard operating procedures, ad quality-control protocols for all survey modes.
• Lead long-term strategic planning for staffing, technology, and research capacity.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance workplace culture aligned with UNH values.
• Represent the Survey Center and UNH in national and regional professional organizations related to survey research, public opinion, and social science methodology.

Financial Management, Grants, and Contracts (30%)

• Secure, negotiate, and manage grants and contracts that sustain the Center's annual operating budget.
• Develop multi-year financial plans, monitor expenditures, and ensure compliance with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Build and maintain relationships with academic researchers, government agencies, nonprofits, and private-sector clients to expand the Center's funding base.
• Oversee pricing models, project budgeting, and cost-recovery strategies to ensure financial stability and growth.

States of Opinion Project Leadership (10%)

• Direct the States of Opinion Project, a probability-based survey panel covering all New England states.
• Oversee sampling design, recruitment, weighting, questionnaire development, and data quality assurance.
• Produce high-visibility analyses that inform public understanding of regional attitudes and trends.

Research Publications and Reporting (10%)

• Serve as the primary author and editor for all Survey Center reports, methodological summaries, data releases, and client deliverables.
• Ensure that all publications meet professional standards for clarity, accuracy, and methodological transparency.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and data-security protocols for all client and respondent information in accord with IRB requirements.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends in survey methodology, data collection technologies, and public opinion research.

Public Affairs and Media Relations (5%)

• Coordinate Survey Center staff to respond to regional and national media, providing expert commentary on survey findings, methodology, and public opinion trends.
• Develop communication strategies that enhance the Center's visibility, credibility, and impact.
• Coordinate press releases, interviews, and public presentations to ensure accurate representation of research results.
• Contribute to the advancement of the field through conference participation, committee service, and professional collaboration.

University, State, and Local Government Support (5%)

• Advise UNH administration on survey research needs, institutional studies, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide methodological guidance and research support to state agencies, local governments, and community organizations.
• Collaborate with faculty and students to support teaching, experiential learning, and research opportunities.

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Ph.D. in relevant social science field (Political Science, Sociology, Psychology).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in research and program leadership.
• 10 years of experience developing high-performance teams.
• 10 years of experience securing externally funded grants.
• Media engagement experience as a recognized expert or spokesperson.
• Extensive experience with university expectations and constraints.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to manage a small business within a University structure.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously and successfully with strong attention to detail.
• Effective in managing timelines. with capability to define short- and long-term goals and execute operational and strategic objectives.
• Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and grant funded programs to ensure grant compliance.
• Ability to manage staff that often works remotely.
• Ensure clear exp