Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Assistant Director, Research

Department: Public Policy

Reports to: Director, Research

Direct Report(s): Senior Research Analyst

OVERVIEW

The Assistant Director of Research is a leadership role within the Academy’s Public Policy Research program, which supports the Academy’s public policy mission and goals. The Assistant Director assists the Director in developing and managing the public policy research program. Working closely with the Research Committee, the Assistant Director is responsible for: supporting the development of, following established approval protocols, and completing assigned research projects; assessing research priorities across practice areas; and the annual Academy Award for Research program. The Assistant Director serves as a primary point of contact with external research partners and is a trusted resource in monitoring and remaining aware of other external research work within the Academy’s areas of interest to be used to support our public policy agenda. Internally, the Assistant Director works with the Academy’s Senior Fellows, staff, and volunteers in the evaluation and communication of research results, as well as provides technical assistance in all areas of public policy research. The Assistant Director supervises the Senior Research Analyst.

The Assistant Director, in collaboration with the Director, shapes the Academy’s policy research initiatives, executes research and analysis work, and evaluates proposals and commissioned work for quality and objectivity. Working with a direct report and in partnership with the Director and Public Policy leadership team, this role has a strong emphasis on cross-department and cross-organizational collaboration and external engagement. Internally, the Assistant Director is responsible for effectively managing and empowering staff to advance the Academy’s strategy and research agenda. The Assistant Director will assist the Director and department leadership to build strong team spirit, create professional growth opportunities, and foster a work environment that reinforces our core values and encourages independent judgement and a self-starter mentality.

Research Program Management

• Contribute to the development of a targeted research agenda, in consultation with the Research Committee, Academy volunteer leadership, and staff leadership.
• With Director, develop and monitor the research budget.
• Provide project management to all research projects, coordinated with other department staff.
• Maintain and adhere to research project selection criteria, protocols for conduct of research, and other related Academy guidelines, and agreements.
• Assist in selection and management of external resources, such as consultants or academic collaborators, and identify external sources of data to acquire. Work with Academy staff to execute contracts for research work.
• Supervise and provide direction to the Senior Research Analyst in their assigned project work and professional development.
• Ensure collaborative and engaged communication with Academy staff, to include the rest of the Public Policy department, as well as the Academy’s volunteers and broader membership.

Produce High Quality Research

• Produce objective, scientific analyses to guide policymakers and public policy stakeholders on actuarial perspectives on public policy issues, which may be published in several forms, to include peer-reviewed journals or on the Academy website, and may take the form of research reports, memos, policy briefs, formal and information presentations, webinars, talking points, or press releases.
• Establish and meet reasonable timelines for the completion of research projects through comprehensive project proposals, with an awareness for the timely production of materials to be used in support of the Academy’s public policy agenda.
• Produce data driven or qualitative research, reports, and publications that reflect the current and anticipated public policy landscape across practice areas, with a focus on actuarial perspectives on state, federal, and international issues that relate to insurance and financial services.

External Engagement

• Build and maintain awareness of the Academy’s Public Policy Research by developing and maintaining relationships with staff at other actuarial organizations, at non-actuarial organizations regularly doing related research, and relevant policymaking organizations.
• Create opportunities for the presentation of Academy research at actuarial, non-actuarial, and policymaking venues.
• Participate in research networks that are relevant to the Academy’s policy areas.
• Assist Academy staff with outreach to policymakers, the actuarial profession, and external stakeholders.

Travel: 10%, primarily domestic and in support of external presentations/conferences. Weekends/overnight attendance may be required

Other duties as necessary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong interpersonal communications, leadership ability, and organizational skills.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Training in and experience with the collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative methods required with skills in the use of SAS and/or other statistical software, such as STATA and R.
• Ability to prioritize, lead, coordinate, and actively work on multiple simultaneous projects while adhering to clear deadlines.

• Ability to create and manage a multi-year budget.
• Overall resourcefulness and ability to take initiative.

• Collaborative work ethic.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• PhD required, with a multidisciplinary background (anthropology, actuarial science, economics, political science, psychology, public policy, sociology, and related or similar disciplines).
• Demonstrated experience in data-driven public policy research and research management required (8+ years).
• Minimum of three (3) years of previous supervisory experience required.

Preferred Experience :

• Prior experience in member associations or trade organizations.
• Experience carrying out applied statistical analysis.
• Experience with policy issues in the financial services sector.
• Experience stakeholder engagement, particularly at the legislative and regulatory levels.
• Project management experience and experience with Asana is a plus.

FLSA Classification: Exempt.

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