Director of Research and Data

We seek a Director of Research and Data to join ReFED’s Data & Insights team. You will support ReFED’s ability to deliver impactful research, insights, and thought leadership necessary to scale the adoption of evidence-based food waste solutions. This position will report to the Vice President of Data & Insights. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change within a dynamic, mission-driven organization.

ReFED is a U.S.-based nonprofit working to catalyze the food system to take evidence-based action to stop wasting food. We do this by cultivating and convening the food community, delivering actionable evidence and insights, and seeding and accelerating food waste solutions. Starting with the 2016 Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste, ReFED has produced first-of-their-kind tools and resources, providing a full-supply-chain picture of U.S. food waste, cost-effective solutions to reduce it, and methods to track progress. In 2021, ReFED launched the Insights Engine, an online data center serving as the next generation of data, insights, and guidance on U.S. food waste reduction. Reducing food waste will have a significant impact on mitigating climate change, optimizing the use of water, land, and other resources, and providing meals for the over 47 million people in the United States who currently face food insecurity. We are growing our team to further build our capacity to achieve our vision of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system that makes the best use of the food we grow.

We are a team of doers, and we get a lot accomplished. We create outsized impact, and everyone on the team contributes to accomplishing our shared goals. Learning and professional development are heavily embedded in ReFED’s culture. We promote cross-functional work to embrace diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills to ensure we are an inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

The Director of Research and Data will be a vital member of the Data & Insights team at ReFED. Working closely with a four-person team, including the Research Manager, Climate Manager, and Vice President of Data & Insights, this role is designed to support our capacity to scale, increase the complexity and creativity of our research, and produce thought leadership that influences and informs food businesses, food waste solution providers, capital providers, NGOs, and governments. This role will involve a mix of strategic planning, project management, partnership development, and applied quantitative and qualitative research to produce insights for our various audiences.

In this role, you will focus on:

• • Strategic Planning:
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive research agenda that aligns with the organization’s strategic goal of advancing evidence-based food waste solutions.
  • Support the Vice President of Data & Insights to identify key research areas, prioritize projects, and deliver high-quality research and thought leadership.
  • Project Management:
  • Oversee day-to-day project execution, manage timelines, lead biweekly sprints and quarterly planning.
  • Manage and mentor 2-4  team members, fostering a collaborative team environment and a culture of continuous learning.
  • Manage high-level contractor relationships and negotiations (e.g., identify needs, oversee RFP processes, etc.).
  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Communications, Product & Engineering, and Business Initiatives to integrate research insights into communication strategies, product development, and implementation.
  • Partnership Development:
  • Explore and execute research and data partnerships with the public and private sectors for data collection, data integration, or other purposes.
  • Applied Research:
  • Define research and execute methodologies, data collection strategies, and analytical frameworks and conduct qualitative and quantitative research.
  • Contribute to publications and products that elevate food waste reduction strategies and communicate insights to diverse audiences through a range of mediums, including reports, presentations, and digital media.

You could be a great candidate for this role if you have:

• • 8 to 10 years of progressive experience in research and thought leadership positions, with a proven track record of developing and executing strategic research agendas and managing and conducting applied research projects.
  • Proven management skills, with the ability to deliver multiple projects on time and within budget.
  • Strong writing and editing skills, with experience producing thought leadership pieces.
  • Experience mentoring staff members, fostering their development, and enhancing the overall research capacity of the team.
  • Proven ability to establish and manage contractors and some experience managing partnerships with private sector entities, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and ability to thrive in a fluid, entrepreneurial environment, and willingness to “roll up the sleeves” and extend beyond formal responsibilities as needed.
  • Experience in the food system or a sector within the food system. Broader experience in the environmental or climate space is also highly desirable.
  • Experience working with communications, product, and engineering teams.
  • Data wrangling skills using tools like Python and R and experience implementing statistical, machine learning, and deep learning models is desirable but not required.
  • Formal training and/or demonstrated proficiency in mixed methods research, including design research, qualitative studies, and quantitative analysis.

We think you would thrive in this role and at ReFED if you:

• • • Are a curious, creative problem solver who loves tackling the unanswered questions.
    • Thrive in a dynamic, high-growth, remote organization.
    • Have a strong commitment to reducing food waste.
    • Champion diversity, equity, justices and inclusion within the research team and across the organization.

We do not require:

• • Experience working in nonprofits or food businesses.

$135,000 – $150,000 a year

ReFED offers a competitive salary and benefits package, opportunities for professional development, and policies and programs that encourage a healthy work-life balance. The salary for this position will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications. We strive to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment where all team members can thrive and grow professionally, while maintaining their personal priorities and values.

* 100% employee and 50% dependent premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits;

* Participation in employer-sponsored 401(k) plans with up to 4% employer matching;

* Professional development opportunities, including an annual budget and the option to participate in ReFED’s mentor program;

* 18 paid vacation days annually;

* 10 paid sick days annually;

* Early closure in July and August for Summer Fridays;

* Paid family leave;

* Approximately 13 paid company holidays annually, including closed offices during the last week of the year;

* Short- and long-term disability coverage and term life insurance;

* A flexible work environment with the option to work from home or a co-working space.