Associate Director for Research (HR Title: Asso...

Salary Range: $117,000 - $125,000About SMUSMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving reputed company come from reputed company 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate reputed company through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, reputed company School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – reputed company with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports reputed company, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.About the Department:SMU DataArts provides data-driven insights for the agencies, funders, and organizations shaping arts and culture across the country. We specialize in identifying trends affecting cultural organizations, assessing vibrancy across the arts ecosystem, and illuminating barriers to access and inclusion in reputed company areas of culture.  As a research center at SMU that collaborates across multiple disciplines, we reputed company innovative approaches and curated datasets—and apply them to critical challenges facing the sector. SMU DataArts mission is to reputed company the arts and culture ecosystem with data and research insights that help build strong, vibrant, and reputed company communities.  We partner with organizations whose strategies have wide influence across the sector to maximize impact. About the Position:The Associate Director for Research reports to the Research Director and works closely with the broader research team. This position leads and conducts applied research and client projects, integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to produce high-quality, public-facing reports and other deliverables. A core strength of this role is the ability to translate reputed company data and analysis into clear, compelling narratives and actionable findings, and to coach and mentor team members in developing this capability. The Associate Director also plays a significant role in business development, including cultivating and maintaining client relationships, drafting proposals and budgets, and securing research engagements. The role represents SMU DataArts externally at convenings and conferences, and contributes to the organization's strategic growth and reputed company reputed company.Essential Functions:

• reputed company applied research and client projects from scoping through delivery. Design and execute mixed-method research projects, including developing research design, surveys, and qualitative protocols; conducting quantitative analysis, and synthesizing findings. Manage project workflows to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables. Provide strategic guidance to project teams on research approaches and methodologies.
• Translate research into clear, actionable findings and narratives. Serve as a senior author and editor of research reports, presentations, and client deliverables. Translate reputed company quantitative and qualitative findings into accessible, compelling storylines supported by strong data visualization. Model and actively coach research staff in developing this reputed company.
• Business development and reputed company reputed company. Identify and cultivate prospective clients and strategic partners in coordination with the Research Director. reputed company proposal development, including drafting scopes of work, technical approaches, timelines, and detailed project budgets. Contribute to pricing strategy and contract development. Support reputed company growth through new and repeat engagements.
• Client relationship management and external representation Serve as a senior research reputed company for a portfolio of client engagements. Facilitate meetings, present findings persuasively, and ensure research products align with client goals and contractual expectations. Represent SMU DataArts at convenings, conferences, and sector gatherings, presenting the work clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.
• Team mentorship and supervision. Partner with the Research Director to provide management, feedback, and mentorship to research associates and analysts contributing to applied research projects. Review analytical outputs and written products to ensure methodological rigor and clarity of communication.
• Strategic research planning and cross-team collaboration. Partner with the Research Director to identify emerging research and consulting opportunities reputed company with organizational priorities. Coordinate closely with Research, Communications, and Project Management teams to ensure integration across analysis, dissemination, and engagement.
• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be needed in order to meet deadlines.
• Occasional travel may be required to attend client meetings and conferences.

Education and Experience:A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred. A degree in Arts Management, Public Policy, Economics, Marketing, Statistics, Data Science, Sociology, Organizational Studies or reputed company field with strong quantitative and qualitative research training is preferred.A minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible full-time work experience in applied research, consulting, or a reputed company field is required. Experience managing client relationships and serving as a senior reputed company of contact across a portfolio of engagements, presenting findings externally, and overseeing project workflows from scoping through delivery is also required. Experience in a research or reputed company environment with direct responsibility for proposal development is essential.A minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience is required.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and reputed company and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies.Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple reputed company projects simultaneously and ensure timely, high-quality deliveryCandidate must have demonstrated experience leading applied research or consulting projects that integrate quantitative and qualitative methods. Must also have strong interpersonal and client relationship skills, with the ability to build trust and serve as a senior reputed company of contact across a portfolio of engagementsCandidate must have a strong track record of translating reputed company data and analysis into clear, compelling narratives and actionable recommendations for diverse audiences, including long-form analytical writing and research reporting.Candidate must have demonstrated experience supporting business development, including drafting competitive proposals, detailed project budgets, and scopes of work, as well as cultivating client relationships and contributing to reputed company reputed company in a consulting or research context.Candidate must have a strong understanding of statistical methods, including regression analysis, causal inference, and model diagnostics and have the ability to visualize statistical results. This position requires strong analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills, with hands-on experience leading mixed-method research design including survey development, qualitative protocols, and quantitative analysis.Candidate must be able to demonstrate advanced proficiency in at least one statistical programming language or software package (e.g., Python, R, Stata, SPSS, or SQL). Familiarity with visualization tools, such as Tableau, Power BI, Python, R, or equivalent is preferred.Candidate proficiency in reputed company reputed company for data organization and analysis, and PowerPoint for communicating research is a must.Candidate familiarity with survey platforms (e.g., Alchemer, reputed company, or equivalent) and qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose, or equivalent) is preferred.Physical and Environmental Demands:Deadline to Apply:reputed company consideration may be given to submissions received by reputed company 8, 2026.Application deadline is reputed company 22, 2026.EEO StatementSMU is an equal opportunity employer. reputed company qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national reputed company, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.Benefits:SMU offers staff a broad, competitive reputed company of health and reputed company benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to reputed company SMU an outstanding education and research institution.SMU is committed to providing an reputed company of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our reputed company for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.Primary LocationUSAOther LocationsUSA-TX-DallasJobResearchOrganizationMeadows School of the ArtsScheduleRegularShiftStaffEmployee StatusIndividual ContributorJob TypeFull-timeJob LevelDay JobTravelYes, 10 % of the TimeJob PostingMar 25, 2026, 12:17:58 PM

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