Job Description

Job Summary

ThinkTennessee is seeking a Research Director to lead its research portfolio and serve as one of the organization’s principal issue-area experts. Reporting to the President, this role owns the full arc of ThinkTennessee’s research — from framing research questions and methodology, through original quantitative and qualitative analysis, to publication-ready findings that shape the organization’s policy agenda. The Research Director will work closely with the President, Director of Advocacy & Communications, Policy Director, Director of Strategy & Development, and the board to design and execute research that grounds ThinkTennessee’s work in credible, defensible data, and will manage and mentor research team staff, including associates, research assistants, and interns. Beyond the research itself, this person will be a visible voice for ThinkTennessee — writing policy briefs, presenting to policymakers and civic audiences, engaging with media, and representing the organization on coalitions and at conferences across the state.

By the end of year one, success looks like: an updated release of at least one of ThinkTennessee’s signature dashboards delivered on schedule; meaningful authorship or co-authorship of multiple reports and briefs; a research team that is clearly managed, mentored, and producing strong work; and a Research Director who has become a recognized, credible voice for ThinkTennessee with policymakers, funders, and media across the state.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintain subject-matter expertise in relevant Working Families and Civic Engagement issue areas, and use that expertise to author policy briefs, reports, and other publication-ready products alongside policy staff.
• Serve as one of the organization’s research and issue-area experts in the media and at public events, including delivering presentations to policymakers, funders, and civic audiences (e.g., presenting the State of Our State dashboard at civic leader luncheons and similar convenings).
• Represent ThinkTennessee on coalitions, working groups, and at conferences as appropriate.
• Communicate research findings internally to support the development of policy products and advocacy strategies.
• Maintain awareness of the state’s data landscape and proactively identify new research opportunities relevant to Working Families and Civic Engagement priorities.
• Collaborate with policy and communications staff to ensure research is accurately and clearly reflected in external-facing materials.
• Support both the Working Families and Civic Engagement teams through research and data analysis.
• Work with the president and policy staff to define research projects, including identifying research questions, establishing methodology, and finding high-quality data sources.
• Direct and execute original quantitative and qualitative research with the highest standards of rigor, accuracy, and quality within project timelines.
• Develop datasets, including identifying potential data sources, evaluating source methodology and quality, and scraping, cleaning, and merging data as needed.
• Use statistical software (R, Stata, SAS, or similar) to produce original quantitative analyses that answer research questions.
• Produce high-quality data visualizations (graphics, maps, tables, and charts) to communicate research findings in a clear, accessible way.
• Oversee the State of Our State and State of Our Counties dashboards.
• Distill research into key findings that are easily understood by general audiences.
• Contribute research and data analysis to support the production of policy briefs, reports, and other resources for a variety of audiences.
• Manage and develop research team staff, including associates, research assistants, and interns.

Qualifications

Required

• At least 8 years of work experience in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, advocacy, academia, economics, or government) with demonstrated increasing responsibility
• Exceptional research and analytical skills, including the ability to conduct high-quality data analysis in R, Stata, SAS, or similar programs
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including data visualization, with the ability to distill conclusions and use text and graphics to communicate them clearly to a wide range of audiences
• Demonstrated managerial skills to lead associates, research assistants, and interns in producing their best work
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple short- and long-term projects effectively
• Comfort and effectiveness representing an organization publicly, including public speaking, media engagement, and presenting research to non-technical audiences

Preferred

• Advanced degree in public policy, economics, political science, or a related field
• Academic or professional experience in public policy and/or issue expertise
• Familiarity with Tennessee’s political and policymaking environment

Additional Information

Benefits

We offer comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance, retirement, paid family leave, and generous paid time off, including sick leave, vacation days, and holiday schedules.

How to Apply

Nonprofit Leadership LLC is facilitating this executive search on behalf of ThinkTennessee. Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to elle@nonprofit-leadership.com addressing their proudest research project and its impact. Applications are due October 9, 2026, will be reviewed as they are submitted, and early applications are appreciated. ThinkTennessee is an equal opportunity employer.

More information at www.nonprofit-leadership.com/ttdr

Details

• Date Posted: September 15, 2026
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Analytics / Evaluation
• Service Area: Children / Youth
• Salary Range: 130,000-140,000

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