Vice President for Domestic Research

The VP for Domestic Research is responsible for driving Guttmacher’s domestic scientific vision and strategy and ensuring that the Institute’s research is policy-relevant and rigorous. They do so primarily by motivating and facilitating the work and creativity of a team of highly capable researchers with multiple levels of experience, who work on a portfolio of US-focused SRH research including but not limited to research on abortion and contraception.

The VP for Domestic Research works in close partnership with the VP for International Research to lead the Research Division and guide the organization’s overall research strategy. While each of the division’s two VPs has primary responsibility for a geographic domain, they and their teams work to identify synergies and opportunities for integration across these domains. The VPs share responsibilities for the oversight, management, and personnel aspects of the division.

The VP reports to the Institute’s Co-President and CEO and serves as a member of the Institute’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT), which is responsible for driving the organization’s strategy and advancing its mission. The VP plays a key role in mobilizing financial resources to support the Institute’s Domestic research portfolio and projects and serves as a spokesperson for Guttmacher in a range of external forums.

The VP supervises the Director of Domestic Research and co-supervises the Director for Research Administration. The individual also works closely with the VP for Public Policy and the VP for Communications & Publications, along with the domestic staff on their teams, in carrying out Guttmacher’s domestic work.

Responsibilities and/or duties:

Organizational leadership and representation

Consistent with their ELT role, the VP carries out a number of leadership responsibilities for the organization, including helping to set strategy, foster a thriving organizational culture, and represent the Institute externally.

• As a member of the ELT, participate in the creation, implementation, and monitoring of the Institute’s Strategic Plan;
• Work with the ELT to craft, evaluate, and refine organizational policies and procedures;
• Represent Guttmacher at high-level research and policy meetings, on advisory panels, and in other contexts;
• Attend regular meetings of the Institute’s Board of Directors, and present to the Board on key research topics and projects;
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners and senior colleagues’ stakeholders in the Institute's domestic research work;
• Foster positive relations with Guttmacher Employees United; and
• Carry out other leadership duties consistent with VP-level responsibilities.

Research strategy and oversight

The VP provides strategic vision for Guttmacher’s domestic research and works alongside the VP for International Research and senior research staff to ensure that the Institute’s research is rigorous, innovative, and policy-relevant.

• Plays a lead role in setting strategic vision and direction for Guttmacher’s program of domestic research.
• Provide high-level oversight of research quality as well as the progress of research projects.
• Ensure that the division’s substantive review processes take place at all necessary stages of projects, including research questions and design, fieldwork, analysis and drafts.
• Encourage and support continuous improvement of research infrastructure and processes in order to promote innovation, accuracy, replicability and transparency.
• Models and facilitates good communication and working relationships among division staff and between the Research staff and other divisions of the Institute.
• Provide substantive guidance to projects and input on resolving substantive issues, as needed.
• Co-author articles, reports, and other publications for select projects that draw on the individual’s unique expertise
• Identify synergies between Domestic and International research that can benefit both areas.

Project development and resource mobilization

The VP acts as a catalyst for idea generation and project/proposal development by Research staff and plays a key role in mobilizing resources to support Guttmacher studies.

• Cultivate an environment where innovation and idea generation can flourish.
• Strategize with the Research Management Team and staff on new project ideas that are responsive to emerging US SRHR priorities and explore greater opportunities for cross- fertilization of ideas with the international portfolio.
• Stimulate, encourage, and contribute to the development of ideas and new proposals. Includes idea generation, advising on which proposals to move forward, reviewing grant applications and seeking input from other divisions on planned research.
• Contribute to relationship development and management with funders, including participation in meetings with current and prospective donors.

Divisional management and oversight

With the VP for International Research, the VP for Domestic Research has primary responsibility for oversight of supervision processes, divisional operating procedures, and implementation of Institute-wide policies within the division.

• Work with Research Division leadership and staff to develop and monitor work plans that ensure achievement of the Institute’s strategic priorities.
• Review the capacity and resources needed to carry out the division’s work.
• Work with the Research Management Team to oversee the Research Division budget, and to manage project budgets as well as staff and resource allocation.
• Ensure that the division attracts and retains a talented and diverse staff and is appropriately staffed to carry out our work.
• Encourage and facilitate staff professional development at all levels.
• Supervise the Director of Domestic Research and co-supervises the Director of Research Administration, with attention to quality of performance, professional development, and job satisfaction.
• Facilitate strong and productive interdivisional relations and communication at multiple levels.

Qualifications:

The VP for Domestic Research must be a proven leader with knowledge of, and a demonstrated commitment to, sexual and reproductive health and rights. They must have demonstrated experience managing, mentoring and motivating a diverse staff engaged in a wide range of activities and a strong commitment to supporting and furthering the mission of the Institute.

• A doctoral degree in the social sciences, public health or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 15 years of policy-relevant SRH research experience, substantial publication record, and strong reputation in the field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of a range of topics in the field of sexual and reproductive health.
• Ability to provide strategic thinking and guidance to the Institute’s research agenda and strategic plan.
• Ability to develop a new strategic research vision, identify the need for innovative ideas whilst understanding the unique role and positioning of an established research entity and being able to manage change and transitions
• Ability to work collaboratively within the Institute and with external partners.
• Strong management and organizational skills with a demonstrated capacity to recruit, lead and marshal the talents of a diverse, high-performing and creative staff.
• Ability to represent the Institute in high-level forums and meetings with donors.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically.
• The highest personal and professional integrity including commitment to scientific rigor and high standards of research excellence.