Job Description
Director of Research and Evaluation
Company Overview
Founded in 1990, Kauffman and Associates, Inc. (KAI) is an American Indian– and woman-owned management consulting firm dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable populations and enhancing the reach and effectiveness of social sector organizations. We combine stories of lived experiences with meaningful, data-driven insights to reach underserved communities.
We work closely with federal, tribal, state, and regional governments; associations; foundations; and private-sector partners. KAI is dedicated to uplifting American Indian and Alaska Native people, tribal and urban Indian communities, and social sector programs.
At KAI, we do work that matters!
Values
KAI is a mission-driven organization, firmly grounded in our company values that guide our approach and prioritize the work that we pursue. KAI values are Indigeneity, Thought Leadership, Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, and Results.
Job Classification
Full Time Regular Professional
Fully Remote
Job Summary
This is a senior-level position requiring demonstrated success in leading research projects from inception through completion. The ideal candidate will be ready to assume full project leadership responsibilities immediately upon hire, bringing refined technical and management skills. KAI will support continued professional growth through Indigenous leadership principles, cultural learning, and advanced methodological collaboration, but this role is not an entry or developmental position.
The Director of Research and Evaluation provides scientific, technical, and cultural leadership across KAI’s Research, Evaluation, & Planning (REP) Service Line. The Director is both a senior subject matter expert and a Project Director responsible for leading multidisciplinary teams, ensuring methodological rigor and cultural alignment, stewarding budgets, and maintaining strong client and community relationships.
This position requires deep expertise in Indigenous and community-based research methodologies, including mixed-methods approaches, research ethics, and tribal data sovereignty. The Director demonstrates independent judgment, high accountability, and strong partnership with the Vice President of REP and Project Managers to ensure the integrity, usefulness, and respectful dissemination of research products.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead the design, implementation, and reporting of culturally grounded, scientifically rigorous research and evaluation studies.
- Develop and oversee research protocols, sampling and recruitment strategies, data collection instruments, and qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods analytic plans.
- Ensure all research activities uphold Indigenous research ethics, tribal consultation/approval processes, data sovereignty principles, and appropriate data governance and dissemination practices.
- Direct and oversee qualitative and quantitative data analysis using tools such as SPSS, SAS, R, NVivo, and Tableau.
- Synthesize, interpret, and present findings and recommendations to clients, leadership, and community partners with clarity, cultural humility, and cultural responsiveness.
- Serve as Project Director for assigned contracts, ensuring high-quality deliverables, fiscal oversight, progress monitoring, and proactive communication with clients and partners.
- Collaborate with Project Managers and technical staff to manage budgets, workloads, and resource allocation.
- Supervise, mentor, and develop REP staff while maintaining high-quality standards through structured review and accountability systems.
- Contribute to methodological innovation, including advanced mixed-methods designs and integration of Indigenous knowledge systems.
- Stay current with research, policy, and public health trends relevant to Indigenous communities, including human subjects protections and evolving standards for Indigenous data governance.
Leadership and Project Directing Responsibilities
- Direct complex research and evaluation contracts with full accountability for outcomes, timelines, budgets, and client relationships.
- Exercise independent judgment in resolving project challenges and maintain clear, proactive communication with the Vice President and internal leadership.
- Collaborate with Project Managers to ensure contract compliance, fiscal integrity, effective staffing, and high-quality deliverables.
- Model ethical, trauma-informed, and relationship-centered leadership grounded in transparency, respect, and cultural humility.
- Identify and advance opportunities for innovation, improvement, and strategic growth across the service line.
Key Competencies
- Advanced proficiency in study design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation, with strong quality control skills and the ability to mentor staff in methodological rigor.
- Expertise in leading multi-method and epidemiological studies that integrate scientific rigor with Indigenous and community-driven approaches.
- Deep knowledge of AI/AN data systems, data sovereignty, and community-based research ethics.
- Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods specialists.
- Demonstrated success overseeing complex, multi-contract research and evaluation portfolios.
- Proven allyship or Indigenous identity grounded in authentic community engagement and culturally grounded mentorship.
- Excellence in cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration.
- Strong fiscal stewardship and accountability in project and portfolio management.
Education & Experience
Candidates must demonstrate clear and recent experience directing complex research or evaluation projects. This position is intended for individuals already operating at a senior level who are prepared to lead contracts immediately upon onboarding.
- Doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, or EdD) in epidemiology, evaluation, public health, psychology, education or a related field preferred; master’s degree required with 7–10 years of relevant experience.
- At least 5 years of experience directing complex research projects, ideally within Indigenous contexts, but clear demonstration of cross-cultural contexts accepted.
- Demonstrated ability to manage teams, budgets, and client relationships in multi-year, federally funded projects.
- Proficiency in data analysis and visualization software (SPSS, SAS, R, NVivo, Tableau, ArcGIS).
Demands/Complexity
The Director must operate comfortably across multiple levels of complexity - technical, organizational, and relational. Success in this role requires the ability to align teams across disciplines, and maintain excellence in client relationships, deliverables, and teamwork. The Director will synthesize across disciplines and lead multi-layered portfolios. The hybrid nature of this role demands a strategic thinker who is comfortable in technical detail and leadership.
Supervisory Responsibility
Significant
- Direct supervision of the research team; project supervision of researchers, epidemiologists, evaluators, analysts, and consultants.
- Provide mentorship and capacity-building across technical staff.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and ensure professional development aligned with company values.
Work Environment and Demands
- Fully remote position with periodic travel for conferences, fieldwork, or meetings.
- Requires frequent communication with clients, partners, and staff across multiple time zones.
- Must balance independent decision-making with collaborative coordination and maintain the highest standards of accuracy and integrity in all work.
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Immediate start, Remote work,