Vice President Methodology and Quantitative Social Sciences

Job no: 502321 Work type: Regular Full-Time Location: Chicago – 55 East Monroe Street, IL Capability Area: Methodology and Quantitative Social Sciences

JOB SUMMARY:

The new Vice President will join the department’s leadership team in developing and implementing a strategy to expand and enhance our methodological capabilities and portfolio of methods and analytic work. This is a strategic role that will further develop our world class methodological research at one of the nation’s most respected research institutions, significantly impacting NORC’s success and service to our clients. This position is also responsible for managing and directing research projects, including providing substantive and methodological input and direction on the project, managing the activities of staff, and providing oversight to ensure high quality deliverables.

Applicants would preferably work from either our Chicago, IL or Washington, DC offices but remote candidates will also be considered with regular trips to our offices.

DEPARTMENT:

Methodology and Quantitative Social Sciences

The Methodology and Quantitative Social Sciences department implements state-of-the-art methodologies and develops innovations to deliver reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business and policy decisions for NORC clients. The department provides leadership throughout the project lifecycle on study design, data collection, assessment of data quality, quantitative analysis, and dissemination of results. The Methodological and Quantitative Social Sciences department also conducts its own research and is a leader in designing and implementing rigorous, efficient methods for gathering, evaluating, and analyzing data from primary and secondary sources. The department provides expertise and leads NORC strategy on the use of a broad range of methods and techniques, including research and experimental design, recruitment and retention, instrument design and testing, assessing data quality, evaluating measurement properties of new measures, causal inference methods, machine learning, analysis of clustered data, data visualization and use of novel data sources and technologies to improve data gathering. The department collaborates with the Statistics and Data Science Department on areas of synergy and intersection and with all NORC subject matter departments, in addition to leading its own projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with the department leadership to develop and implement a strategy to strengthen and grow the department’s scientific leadership and portfolio of work in survey methodology, measurement, data science, and quantitative social science.

• Lead business development efforts with federal governments, universities, foundations, and commercial partners, with particular emphasis on applying and advancing NORC’s methodological capabilities.

• Provide significant oversight or leadership of major NORC projects and initiatives.

• Serve as a visible thought leader and expert to further NORC’s mission and enhance the organization’s brand and prominence.

• Develop and maintain client relationships with the federal, non-profit, academic, and foundation sectors.

• Expand partnerships with other research organizations and leaders that support and advance the success of the department.

• Maintain and enhance key cross-departmental collaborations throughout NORC.

• Foster an environment that promotes mentoring and professional growth of department staff.

• Support a cohesive, team-oriented culture across a geographically dispersed staff and promote communication and integration among all members.

• Further grow the departmental team both through the development of current staff and the strategic recruitment of new professionals with additional capabilities.

• Contribute to corporate activities, champion strategic department initiatives, and support departmental staffing decisions, and financial management.

  REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Master’s degree in survey methodology, computationally focused social science (sociology, economics, psychology, political science, etc.), or related field is required; doctorate is strongly preferred.

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in positions of increasing responsibility in research methods, data science, quantitative analysis, or related field.

• Demonstrated evidence of establishing a research portfolio and a successful record of developing and securing high-caliber, compelling methods projects through a competitive bidding process.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, including demonstrated ability to lead large-scale complex projects, manage technical staff, and track budgets.

• Experience building, developing, managing, and retaining a team of highly capable research professionals.

• Reputation for excellence as a leader within research methods, data science or analytic field evidenced by substantial publications, presentations to governmental organizations, industry groups, or academia, and other visible thought leadership activities.

• An innovative thinker who is developing leading edge solutions for harnessing, integrating, and analyzing different types of data.

• Solid commitment to fostering and building cross-disciplinary collaborations.

  SALARY AND BENEFITS:

  The pay range for this position is $ 191,000 to $319,000.

  This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment

• Dental and vision insurance

• A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program

• Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance

• Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

  NORC’s Approach to Equity and Transparency

  Pay and benefits transparency helps to reduce wage gaps. As part of our commitment to pay equity and salary transparency, NORC includes a salary range for each job opening along with information about eligible benefit offerings. At NORC, we take a comprehensive approach to setting salary ranges and reviewing raises and promotions, which is overseen by a formal Salary Review Committee (SRC).

  WHAT WE DO:

  NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

  WHO WE ARE:

  For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.

  EEO STATEMENT:

  NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally protected characteristics.

Advertised: May 10, 2024 Central Daylight TimeApplications close: May 23, 2024 Central Daylight Time