Strategic Learning & Research Project Lead

Furman University; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Furman University invites applications for the position of Research and Strategic Learning Manager within the Riley Institute. This role oversees applied research, program evaluation, and strategic learning projects, collaborating with institute staff, faculty, clients, districts, nonprofits, and government entities to deliver on time and within budget.

The role blends project management, research, organizational consulting, and strategic learning to advance evidence-based solutions that foster

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Ph.D. preferred in evaluation, education, sociology, public health, psychology, political science, or related social science field.
• Experience managing complex research, evaluation, and strategic learning projects.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects.
• Strong knowledge of applied research and program evaluation methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong facilitation, relationship-building, and client management skills.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to cultivate productive partnerships.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with research, survey, statistical, qualitative analysis, and project management software.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project manager for multiple applied research, evaluation, and strategic learning initiatives.
• Develop project scopes, work plans, implementation schedules, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Coordinate project teams that may include other Riley Institute staff, faculty, consultants, student interns, and community partners.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and proactively resolve implementation challenges.
• Organize project meetings, document decisions, and monitor completion of action items.
• Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within scope, and consistent with quality standards.
• Maintain project documentation and ensure compliance with university and sponsor requirements.
• Prepare funder reports and project updates.
• Design and manage process, implementation, and impact evaluations.
• Develop evaluation plans and research protocols.
• Secure and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval when appropriate.
• Design surveys, interview protocols, focus groups, observation tools, and other data collection instruments.
• Coordinate participant recruitment and data collection activities.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
• Prepare technical reports, executive summaries, presentations, manuscripts, and other dissemination products.
• Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for clients and stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for nonprofit, educational, governmental, and community partners.
• Develop scopes of work and contracts in collaboration with Institute leadership.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships throughout project implementation.
• Design and facilitate strategic learning processes that strengthen organizational capacity.
• Help develop customized learning materials, curricula, case studies, workbooks, self-assessments, and facilitation resources.
• Facilitate logic model development, theory of change development, strategic planning, and outcome measurement planning.
• Prepare client reports and presentations that support continuous improvement and organizational decision-making.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Applied research

Program evaluation

Written and verbal communication

Facilitation

Relationship-building

Client management

Emotional intelligence

Independent with collaboration

Education

Master’s degree required

Ph.D. preferred in evaluation, education, sociology, public health, psychology, political science, or related fields

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Furman University invites applications for the position of Research and Strategic Learning Manager within the Riley Institute. This role oversees applied research, program evaluation, and strategic learning projects, collaborating with institute staff, faculty, clients, districts, nonprofits, and government entities to deliver on time and within budget.

The role blends project management, research, organizational consulting, and strategic learning to advance evidence-based solutions that foster