Native Americans in Philanthropy is dedicated to increasing and nurturing Indigenous representation in the philanthropic sector. With that in mind, the opportunities on our Job Board fit one of the following criteria:

The position is within a philanthropic or nonprofit organization
The position itself is philanthropic in nature and/or focuses on roles essential to or valued by the philanthropic sector i.e. fundraising, grantmaking, gift processing or development, donor relations, nonprofit management and/or administration, social justice, equity, conservation, etc.

Please submit your job opportunity here and note that assessment and approval of submissions can take up to 48 hours.

NOTE: Positions marked as "Featured" are either Native-focused roles or based at organizations focused on Native communities.

← Back to all openings

Director of Research and Data

ReFED Remote $100,000-$150,000

Office/Support Staff Full Time

Job Details

Link to the job posting.

We seek a Director of Research and Data to join ReFED’s Data & Insights team. You will support ReFED’s ability to deliver impactful research, insights, and thought leadership necessary to scale the adoption of evidence-based food waste solutions. This position will report to the Vice President of Data & Insights. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change within a dynamic, mission-driven organization.

The Director of Research and Data will be a vital member of the Data & Insights team at ReFED. Working closely with a four-person team, including the Research Manager, Climate Manager, and Vice President of Data & Insights, this role is designed to support our capacity to scale, increase the complexity and creativity of our research, and produce thought leadership that influences and informs food businesses, food waste solution providers, capital providers, NGOs, and governments. This role will involve a mix of strategic planning, project management, partnership development, and applied quantitative and qualitative research to produce insights for our various audiences.

In this role, you will focus on:

Strategic Planning:
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive research agenda that aligns with the organization's strategic goal of advancing evidence-based food waste solutions.
Support the Vice President of Data & Insights to identify key research areas, prioritize projects, and deliver high-quality research and thought leadership.
Project Management:
Oversee day-to-day project execution, manage timelines, lead biweekly sprints and quarterly planning.
Manage and mentor 2-4 team members, fostering a collaborative team environment and a culture of continuous learning.
Manage high-level contractor relationships and negotiations (e.g., identify needs, oversee RFP processes, etc.).
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Communications, Product & Engineering, and Business Initiatives to integrate research insights into communication strategies, product development, and implementation.
Partnership Development:
Explore and execute research and data partnerships with the public and private sectors for data collection, data integration, or other purposes.
Applied Research:
Define research and execute methodologies, data collection strategies, and analytical frameworks and conduct qualitative and quantitative research.
Contribute to publications and products that elevate food waste reduction strategies and communicate insights to diverse audiences through a range of mediums, including reports, presentations, and digital media.

You could be a great candidate for this role if you have:

8 to 10 years of progressive experience in research and thought leadership positions, with a proven track record of developing and executing strategic research agendas and managing and conducting applied research projects.
Proven management skills, with the ability to deliver multiple projects on time and within budget.
Strong writing and editing skills, with experience producing thought leadership pieces.
Experience mentoring staff members, fostering their development, and enhancing the overall research capacity of the team.
Proven ability to establish and manage contractors and some experience managing partnerships with private sector entities, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions.
Comfort with ambiguity and ability to thrive in a fluid, entrepreneurial environment, and willingness to “roll up the sleeves” and extend beyond formal responsibilities as needed.
Experience in the food system or a sector within the food system. Broader experience in the environmental or climate space is also highly desirable.
Experience working with communications, product, and engineering teams.
Data wrangling skills using tools like Python and R and experience implementing statistical, machine learning, and deep learning models is desirable but not required.
Formal training and/or demonstrated proficiency in mixed methods research, including design research, qualitative studies, and quantitative analysis.

We think you would thrive in this role and at ReFED if you:

Are a curious, creative problem solver who loves tackling the unanswered questions.
Thrive in a dynamic, high-growth, remote organization.
Have a strong commitment to reducing food waste.
Champion diversity, equity, justices and inclusion within the research team and across the organization.

We do not require:

Experience working in nonprofits or food businesses.

$135,000 - $150,000 a year

Compensation & Benefits

ReFED offers a competitive salary and benefits package, opportunities for professional development, and policies and programs that encourage a healthy work-life balance. The salary for this position will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications. We strive to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment where all team members can thrive and grow professionally, while maintaining their personal priorities and values.

ReFED’s U.S. benefits package includes:

* 100% employee and 50% dependent premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits;

* Participation in employer-sponsored 401(k) plans with up to 4% employer matching;

* Professional development opportunities, including an annual budget and the option to participate in ReFED's mentor program;

* 18 paid vacation days annually;

* 10 paid sick days annually;

* Early closure in July and August for Summer Fridays;

* Paid family leave;

* Approximately 13 paid company holidays annually, including closed offices during the last week of the year;

* Short- and long-term disability coverage and term life insurance;

* A flexible work environment with the option to work from home or a co-working space.

ReFED values a diverse range of skills and experiences and encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they don't meet all of the criteria listed. Our organization recognizes that everyone brings unique perspectives and strengths to the team, and we are committed to considering all applicants fairly and thoroughly. If you are passionate about our mission and excited about the role, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!

Our Recruitment Process

Our recruitment process includes the following steps:

* Initial screening interview over video call.

* 2-3 interviews over video call with different members of the team.

* Skills assessment over video call which may or may not include an assignment to complete beforehand and present during the skills assessment meeting. All necessary information and guidance will be provided in advance.

* References, usually three, will be requested, and reference checks will be conducted.

We strive to maintain clear and frequent communication throughout the recruitment process, however, due to capacity limitations we may not be able to respond to every initial application. Our process always includes input from multiple team members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives from across the organization.

Our Operating Environment

ReFED is a distributed organization, with a team of 20+ working remotely from various locations across the United States. We use a range of digital collaboration and connectivity tools to facilitate our work, including Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Airtable, Salesforce, Miro, MS Office, Adobe, and Insperity. We also use Atlassian products such as Jira and Product Discovery.

Our remote culture is built through a variety of means, including 2-3 annual in-person gatherings. These events include our annual team retreat, department retreats, and the Food Waste Solutions Summit, a national convening of the food waste movement that we host annually. We also foster team connections through informal virtual get-togethers, ask-me-anything sessions with our Board and Advisory Council members, and peer recognition on our shoutouts channel in Slack. We also have a “Big Dill” spot bonus program and engage in conversation through our watercooler channel in Slack. Our in-person events are essential for team building, learning, and fun.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment

ReFED is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where all individuals have equal opportunities to contribute and grow. We recognize that our success is rooted in the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of our team members, and we strive to foster a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, training, and promoting individuals regardless of their gender identity, sex, race, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. We acknowledge that systemic barriers limit opportunities for certain groups, and we are dedicated to actively working to remove those barriers and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in all aspects of our organization. Our commitment to JEDI is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to continuously learning, listening, and improving our practices to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace for all.

Asch Harwood is the hiring manager for this position. All correspondence should be addressed to Asch. Applications must be received by January 5, 2025, to be fully considered.