Compensation Overview

About Understood

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We raise awareness of the challenges and strengths of people who learn and think differently. Our resources help people navigate challenges, gain confidence, and find support and community so they can thrive. 

Having a shared commitment to our values is a key factor in any hire we make. We have five core values: 

1. Continuously learn.
2. Act with intention.
3. Champion difference.
4. Inspire change.
5. Grow together. 

Come be part of an organization with an entrepreneurial spirit that’s helping to shape the world for difference. Together, we can build a world where everyone can reach their full potential. 

To learn more about Understood, please visit: www.understood.org.

Who you are 

Are you interested in using your research and business skills to make a difference in the social sector? To advance Understood’s mission and to further our impact, we’re hiring a Senior Research Manager, reporting to our Associate Director of Ecosystem Research. 

The ideal candidate will have a background in social impact strategy with experience performing scholarly and desk research to drive impactful decision-making. Mining “what’s out there,” the role requires gathering actionable insights by conducting audits of product landscapes, field reviews of clinical and scholarly literature, as well as business case studies and commercial market data. Additionally, there will be collaboration with other internal research teams, including UX, qual and quant, and impact measurement. As a small but mighty research team, we work together to create powerful insights that drive the business forward. 

You are equally comfortable performing a literature review or a competitor landscape analysis to gather insights and help the organization make more informed decisions. You are a lifelong learner who loves to understand the “why” and the “how.” You can independently carry a research project from ideation to execution across a variety of disciplines. You can take a vague and murky request, and make it actionable.  

What you’ll do

• Strategy 
• Produce high-quality, business-driven insights for many teams (marketing, product, partnerships, external research, and more)
• Work with teams to get to the root of the question that needs to be answered, often unthought of from the start, to guide Understood strategy and programs
• Research
• Lead quarterly updates of secondary research landscape analyses and repositories
• Perform desk-research to establish company-wide positions on priority initiatives and emerging areas, leveraging field knowledge and white space
• Develop relationships with other internal researchers and incorporate their learnings into your work when relevant, especially when building systems of knowledge
• Operations & Execution
• Proactively solve problems to deliver high-quality work, adapting easily to change and ensuring the research has meaningful results
• Create and manage processes for both internal and cross-functional needs
• Support the management of the team’s research schedule, including timeline setting, progress tracking, and more

This is a hybrid opportunity, which requires three (3) days per week in our NYC office.

Must-haves 

• Minimum 4-6 years experience of research within social impact strategy, consulting, Edtech and academia, with some industry experience necessary
• Graduate degree or advanced knowledge in disability, psychology, public health, behavioral development and/or sociology
• Strong ability to identify and analyze resources in order to synthesize key findings and recommendations for various internal stakeholders
• Comfort leading projects, including managing laterally to prepare deliverables with minimal support, managing multiple projects simultaneously and adapting to priorities
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and visual presentation
• Comfort and experience in using secondary source research tools like Google Scholar, and peer-reviewed databases like DeepDyve and Sage
• Advanced organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Highly skilled in collaborating with others to complete a project
• Strong execution skills while keeping the big picture in mind
• Flexible, collaborative, and open to new ideas
• Committed to embodying and being a steward of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging 

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to navigate dense industry reports produced by entities like Census, NIMH, etc.
• Experience with manipulating AI-chat bots to glean high-level information
• Experience analyzing raw data from qualitative interviews and consumer surveys
• Intermediate graphic design skills 

The base salary range for this role is minimum $90,000 - $110,000 maximum, depending on years of experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports wellness for our team members and their families. You can learn more about our benefits and offerings.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Understood encourages individuals of all learning styles and ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those whose life experiences may include the challenge of access due to a disability, to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to supporting this work.

Understood is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, alienage or citizenship status, marital or familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability (where the applicant or employee is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation), any protected military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault or offense, stalking, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law or that of persons with whom that individual associates, or any other legally protected characteristics.

For additional information on learning and thinking differences, including ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, executive function challenges, nonverbal learning disabilities, processing issues, and more, please visit www.understood.org.

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