Director of Research and Product Strategy

ABOUT 826 NATIONAL

826 National is the largest youth writing network in the United States, amplifying the impact of writing and publishing centers across the US, along with the words of thousands of young writers. We serve as an international proof point for writing as a tool for young people to ignite and channel their creativity, explore identity, advocate for themselves and their community, and achieve academic and professional success.

With nine chapters in major U.S. cities and our free digital platform of writing resources for educators, 826 Digital, we support over 775,000 students annually—and are on track to reach 1 million by 2026.

826 National grounds its work in our collective organizational values:

• Power & potential of youth: We believe in the power of young voices, the possibility in their ideas, and the value of their words.
• Commitment to creativity & learning: We nurture creative expression and foster a lifelong love of learning through high-quality, evidence-based experiences that affirm our teams and students.
• Transformative power of writing: We believe writing is a catalyst; it unlocks doors, builds confidence, and facilitates self-expression.
• Strength of community: We are exponentially stronger through collective engagement, which allows us to create, implement, and sustain responsive programs.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness as mission, vision, and practice

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Director of Research & Product Strategy will lead 826 National’s efforts to track, evaluate, and amplify the impact of the largest youth writing network in the nation. This role is ideal for a deeply analytical, visionary leader who is equally at home shaping research strategy, interpreting data for strategic decision-making, and championing innovation in program design. We are seeking a “T-shaped” leader whose deep expertise in research and data evaluation forms the foundation for strategic, evidence-based storytelling about our impact. This leader will work collaboratively to shape and evolve our digital product strategy—bringing vision, adaptability, and a team-oriented approach to scale our mission and deepen our reach.

At 826 we understand the power of a good story. We know what it is like to read or create a great story. Similarly, the mission of the 826 National Research Team is to help 826 tell its data story, showing the impact of our work on students first and foremost, and also on educators and the communities we work with. We research to measure the impact of our programs network-wide and locally at each chapter. Through our research process, we support the continual improvement of our evidence-based programs, identify best practices as well as lessons learned, and disseminate our findings to the larger field. We tell our data story not just to strengthen our work but also to help move the field of writing education forward. www.826national.org/research/

As the architect of our learning and evaluation culture, the Director will carry the vision for 826 Digital and lead the development of new tools and initiatives that scale our reach and deepen our impact. They will provide strategic guidance across internal research and external evaluation efforts, drive continuous improvement through data-informed program development, and position 826 National as a leader in equitable, evidence-based education practice.

Reports to: CEO

Hours: Full time

RESPONSIBILITIES

Research, Evaluation, and Impact

• Design and lead the organization’s research and evaluation strategy across both chapter-based and digital programs.
• Develop systems, tools, and metrics to assess reach, effectiveness, and programmatic impact; ensure data integrity and accessibility.
• Interpret and present findings to internal and external stakeholders in clear, compelling ways that inform practice and strategy.
• Oversee the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, including survey design, interviews/focus groups, and data dashboards.
• Manage internal program evaluation cycles and commission external evaluations as needed.
• Publish reports to share 826’s impact and best practices to establish 826 as a leader in the field.

Program & Product Development

• Carry the long-term vision for 826 Digital, driving innovation and iterative improvement grounded in user data and feedback.
• Grow and drive outreach for 826 Digital to reach educators in any classroom, especially those in communities that need it most.
• Work collaboratively with content, digital, and program teams to develop new initiatives and assess their success.
• Use research to identify opportunities for new tools and resources that meet the evolving needs of educators and students.

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Contribute to 826 National’s organizational strategy as a key member of the senior leadership team.
• Set and manage the R&D department’s annual goals, priorities, and budget.
• Stay informed of education policy, research trends, and evaluation best practices, ensuring 826 National remains aligned with and responsive to the broader educational landscape.
• Analyze public data and research to establish benchmarks for program effectiveness.

Team & Cross-Network Collaboration

• Engage the Network and stakeholders in a culture of research, resource sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Manage and mentor R&D 5 staff, including Director of 826 Digital Content and Partnerships, Research Manager, and Salesforce Administrator.
• Provide tools and training to build evaluation capacity across the network and promote data-informed practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in education, public policy, developmental psychology, edtech or related fields strongly preferred.
• Expertise in designing and conducting both qualitative and quantitative research;
• 5–7 years of experience leading R&D, or impact strategy in a nonprofit, education, or youth-serving context.
• Proven track record of growing and mentoring high-performing teams.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis tools (e.g., R, SPSS, Stata) and data visualization.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms.
• Data storyteller. Exceptional ability to synthesize and communicate complex data to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated success using data to inform strategy and improve programs.
• Deep understanding and commitment to the mission of 826 National.

WHY JOIN US?

At 826 National, you’ll join a diverse community of educators, creatives, and change-makers working collaboratively to support youth voice and agency through the power of writing. We offer a flexible, mission-driven work environment, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to lead work with real impact at scale.

How to Apply

Please visit https://826national.typeform.com/to/uIj0gKnN to complete an online application and submit a resume and detailed cover letter highlighting your interest and relevant experience.

826​ National​ is​ an​ equal​ opportunity​ employer​ that​ seeks​ to​ hire​ those​ representative​ of​ the​ diverse communities​ we ​serve.​ 826 National hires without regard to race, color, religion,sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.