Inatai Foundation is a growing 501(c)(4) philanthropic organization committed to working with communities to shift the balance of power to ensure racial justice and equity across Washington and beyond. We are hiring a Research Manager to join our expanding team.

To learn more about our work, our approaches, and our values, please visit our website.

The Research Manager reports to the Research Director and manages research activities for the Foundation. The overall work of the research division and the daily work of the Research Manager is in service to the information-for-action and data needs of grantees. This role builds and implements systems and processes to achieve research and evaluation goals and works closely with other teams where strategy, data collection, analysis, management, or meaning making intersects with research division goals and activities. The Research Manager also builds and maintains relationships with grantees, consultants, and staff from other foundations; manages teams of consultants and other research division staff; develops scopes of work and project outlines; tracks project progress and deliverables; shares project updates and findings internally and externally; and develops and shares presentations, written reports, and memos.

This is a full-time, exempt position that can be located in Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Cowlitz, Lewis, Clallam, Douglas, Klickitat, Kittitas, Jefferson, Okanogan, Whitman, Asotin, or Chelan counties. Priority will be given to candidates who both live in and have a deep connection to communities in these areas. We currently have offices in Seattle and Pasco. Employees not connected to an office will work remotely.

Periodic early morning, evening, and weekend hours will be required, and occasional statewide and regional travel should be expected. All employees participate in our offsite retreats, which often require travel and overnight stays.

• Develop one-pagers, literature reviews, and presentations in preparation for new projects, new potential partnerships, or in service to grantees and Inatai team needs
• Develop project plans for review and finalization in collaboration with the Research Director
• Monitor and ensure progress, quality, thoroughness, and timeliness of deliverables for research projects and contracts
• Establish and drive timelines across a variety of internal and external projects
• Lead cross-functional teams of consultants as they carry out contracted work in research and evaluation
• Mentor, train, and develop research associate(s)
• Represent the Foundation in meetings with community organizations and peers in philanthropy and research
• Perform background research and gather informational resources including reports, white papers, articles
• Co-design studies and evaluation activities, develop surveys and other feedback and evaluation instruments, and create insightful and actionable reports
• Learn and maintain an understanding of foundation-wide data collection and management systems
• Create or improve upon existing informational resources, fact sheets, data narrative descriptions, or visualizations
• Perform basic analysis using internal and external data sets
• Create training materials and information session materials
• Create systems and processes to store, categorize, retrieve, and share knowledge and information
• Ensure usability and accessibility of the Foundation’s knowledge and information
• Encourage a culture of seeking and sharing accurate up-to-date information and knowledge and consistency in the selection of data used to inform work across the Foundation
• Align all information and knowledge management activities with the Foundation’s key roles of Actionable Information, “Providing actionable information in service to community-led organizations and partners”
• Contribute one’s own ideas, perspectives, and lived experiences to the emerging culture of the Foundation
• Assume other responsibilities and explore new opportunities that arise with the evolving needs and aspirations of the Foundation

• A deep commitment to equity and social justice, and strong alignment with our organizational values
• Ability to authentically connect the Foundation’s mission and aspirations with one’s own personal experiences
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships and work effectively and respectfully with politically, ideologically, culturally, and geographically diverse people and communities
• Minimum of five years of experience in research, preferably in data and/or research management
• Advanced statistical training and knowledge, including proficiency in conducting analyses using SPSS, SAS, Microsoft Excel or other statistical software
• An understanding of the historical context in which BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and marginalized communities distrust western research
• Experience with research approaches that center communities (e.g., Participatory Action Research)
• Experience providing research support at/for a community organization
• Demonstrated knowledge of research methodologies including survey development, interviews, case studies, and experience with the collection and/or analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and organize large sets of data, including publicly accessible data sets
• Experience developing and implementing project management systems
• Experience applying an equity lens to data visualization, storytelling, and other research dissemination activities
• Knowledge of, or a strong desire to learn about, the needs of communities across the state who are most impacted by structural inequities
• An understanding of the foundational role that racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of bias and oppression play in perpetuating inequity
• Experience with various equity, justice, and power-building strategies, including a demonstrated ability to connect with these issues on a personal and organizational level
• Humility and curiosity, and an understanding of how these qualities are connected to success in this role
• Demonstrated capacity for self-reflection
• Strong verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills combined with the ability to listen deeply and authentically
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint) and Adobe (Acrobat DC) and ability to adapt to new technologies
• Enthusiasm for traveling throughout Washington and engaging with communities that may be different from your own (travel is estimated at 10-15% for this position)

In addition to a positive and flexible work culture, we attract, retain, and motivate exceptional people with an equitable and competitive compensation package. Salary ranges are set according to an explicit compensation policy, and relevant data are reviewed when setting ranges for each position. The salary range for this position is $98,000 to $120,000. A compensation enhancement is provided to employees with indigenous or advanced language proficiency in more than one language that they utilize to advance the Foundation’s work across Washington.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes fully paid medical/dental/vision coverage for employees and dependent children (and partial coverage for partners and spouses), a 10% retirement contribution, generous and flexible paid time off (29 days annually, 5 paid holidays, and an office closure between 12/25 and 1/1), paid family and medical leave (12 to 18 weeks), a transit pass (where available), and support for ongoing professional development.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter expressing your specific interests through our online application portal. Priority will be given to applications submitted by Friday, May 19, though we will continue to accept applications until this position is filled. You will receive an automatic acknowledgment of your application once you submit your materials, and you can expect updates from the Foundation every two to three weeks once the priority deadline has passed.

We are committed to creating conditions where all candidates are able to fully express their talents and potential and invite you to let us know if there are any accommodations that we can provide to support you in your pursuit of this role.

Thank you for your interest in joining
Inatai Foundation!