Director, Research

The Director, Research will serve as a senior leader on the Financial Health Network’s Research team, responsible for advancing FHN’s research agenda through research operations, data innovation, methodological excellence, business development, and team leadership. This Director will oversee the design, execution, and dissemination of high-impact research that contributes to FHN’s research strategy and overall mission, strengthens FHN’s leadership in financial health measurement, and connects data to the real-world issues that matter most for improving people’s financial lives.

The Director will lead major data collection and research initiatives on core and emerging topics while building the infrastructure, partnerships, and team capabilities needed to sustain a growing portfolio of survey, big data, and mixed-methods research that moves and guides financial services providers and employers, as well as core stakeholders in the nonprofit, philanthropic, regulatory, and policy sectors, to take action on financial health.

This role will report to the Vice President, Research & Insights, supervise other Research Team members (Managers and Associates), and work closely with the other Research Director to manage research strategy, execution, business development, and thought leadership across the organization. This role will also work cross-functionally with the Financial Services Solutions, Workplace Solutions, Membership, and Marketing & Communications teams to ensure high-quality research support for consulting projects and other enterprise-wide initiatives.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a social science, economics, data science, policy, or similar field required; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Location

Chicago IL-preferred, Washington DC, or Remote (U.S. based)

Salary Range

$122,000- $134,000 (Annual). The skills and experience of qualified candidates will determine the exact compensation for which this job is filled.

Qualifications

- 10+ years of professional industry, nonprofit, and/or academic experience with demonstrated success leading research teams and overseeing research project portfolios, including managing large-scale complex primary research projects.

- Demonstrated subject matter expertise in financial health and well-being, or related topics.

- Demonstrated methodological expertise in one or more of the following areas: survey design and administration; applied quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods; or impact measurement or program evaluation.

- Preference for candidates with experience in data governance and comfortable working with large datasets, especially administrative data (such as financial institution account, transactional, and/or credit data).

- Proficiency in at least one statistical or programming language; Stata or R preferred.

- Proven ability to translate data into insight, influence, and action, connecting research to strategy, policy, and practice through thought leadership, consulting, and other activities.

- Track record of strategic thinking, curiosity, methodological innovation, and problem-solving within and across teams.

- Strong people and project management skills, including experience managing research staff and fostering team learning and collaboration.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex findings for and motivate diverse audiences, both technical and non-technical.

- Commitment to equity and inclusion in research design, execution, and dissemination.

- Preference for candidates with successful track records in research fundraising, business development, and/or partnership cultivation (philanthropic, government, or industry), including familiarity with grant-writing and the contract proposal process.

- Ability to commit to up to 10% domestic travel.

Responsibilities

Research Strategy and Leadership

- Partner with the VP of Research & Insights and the Research team to shape and implement FHN’s multi-year research strategy and agenda.

- Advancing FHN’s leadership in financial health measurement to shape industry practice, policy, and the national financial health conversation.

- Help lead the evolution of FHN’s data strategy and research infrastructure, integrating data sources, refreshing questions and methods, upgrading data visualization capabilities, and improving internal systems and processes to drive analytical efficiency, quality, and innovation.

- Listen closely to FHN colleagues and stakeholder organizations to identify new developments and relevant questions to inform FHN’s research agenda.

- Partner across the organization to enhance the accessibility, actionability, reach, and influence of FHN data and research insights.

Project Management and Execution

- Oversee execution of a portfolio of high-priority research projects on core and emerging financial health topics, with a focus on major tentpole initiatives to measure financial health outcomes across populations, understand the drivers of financial health, and study consumer and worker financial needs and behaviors.

- Conduct quantitative and qualitative research, interpret and synthesize findings, and lead research output development, including report writing, as needed.

- With fellow Research Director, help lead Research Team contributions to consulting projects led by FHN’s Financial Services Solutions (FSS) and Workplace Solutions (WS) teams.

- Manage budgets and timelines, staff capacity, and resource allocation across multiple concurrent projects to ensure quality, timeliness, and impact of research.

- Ensure consistent application of research methods, analytical standards, equity checks, and documentation practices across all studies.

- Build and manage relationships with funders and clients, research vendors and partners, and other relevant internal and external stakeholders to collaboratively design and execute research projects.

- Supervise and mentor Research Managers and Associates, providing coaching, skills training, and professional development opportunities.

- Collaborate with the VP of Research & Insights and fellow Research Director to strengthen internal processes, workflows, and team capabilities.

- Contribute to a positive, learning-oriented culture that values trust, creativity, accountability, and collaboration, both within the Research Team and across FHN teams.

- Champion and implement equity-by-design principles throughout the research lifecycle.

Business Development

- Work closely with FHN’s Business Leadership Team and Business Development and Client Success teams to identify and pursue funding opportunities aligned with FHN’s research strategy and overall mission.

- Quickly build trust and credibility with internal stakeholders and external partners, and work with funders and clients to design projects to best address relevant questions and intended outcomes.

- Contribute to proposal development, pricing, and scoping for grants and contracts.

- Cultivate relationships with funders, industry partners, data providers, researchers, regulators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to expand the reach and sustainability of FHN’s research.

Research Translation and Communication

- Serve as internal and external research and subject matter expert, including by providing internal consulting and external thought leadership on research methods, data, and findings.

- Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to ensure findings are communicated clearly and compellingly across audiences.

- Contribute to public-facing reports, briefs, and data visualizations that make FHN’s research accessible and actionable.

- Present findings at conferences, convenings, and briefings to strengthen FHN’s role as a thought leader in financial health.

About Financial Health Network

Make an impact in the financial lives of millions with our growing organization. The Financial Health Network is the leading authority on financial health. We envision a future where all people, especially those who are most vulnerable, have the day-to-day financial systems they need to be resilient and thrive. We are a trusted resource for business leaders, policymakers, and innovators united in a mission to improve the financial health of their customers, employees and communities. Through groundbreaking research, advisory services, measurement tools, and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, we advance awareness, understanding, and proven best practices in support of improved financial health for all. With offices in Chicago and Washington, DC, Financial Health Network is a highly collaborative environment, seeking people who share our values.

At Financial Health Network our mission to improve financial health for all, especially the most vulnerable, can only be accomplished through a diverse population of employees at all levels who are representative of the many communities we seek to impact. We strive to recruit, hire, develop, empower, and retain talented individuals at all levels across various dimensions of diversity and intersectionality including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, neurodiversity, disability status, veteran status, and citizenship. We welcome and need your unique voice and look forward to having you join our team

We will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, genetic information, uniformed service, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, or any other status protected by federal or state law. We will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a job interview) if so requested.

To Apply

Our mission is very important to us, and we would like to know why you would like to be a part of the Financial Health Network. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume with your application.

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