Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Justice Research Manager

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a seasoned researcher with a passion for driving systemic change in the justice system? This role requires a dynamic and strategic Justice Research Manager to lead our talented research team. In this pivotal role, you will be at the forefront of designing and executing a rigorous, innovative research agenda that directly informs policy, practice, and public discourse. You will manage the entire lifecycle of complex research projects, from conceptualization and grant writing to data analysis and dissemination of findings. This is a unique opportunity to mentor a team of dedicated analysts, collaborate with high-level stakeholders, and translate complex data into actionable insights that promote a more equitable and effective justice system. If you are a strategic thinker with a proven track record in mixed-methods research and a desire to make a tangible impact, we encourage you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Research Associate / Senior Research Analyst
Research Project Director
Senior Policy Analyst with a strong research focus

Advancement To:

Director of Research
Vice President of Research and Policy
Chief Program Officer

Lateral Moves:

Director of Policy and Advocacy
Senior Program Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of complex, mixed-methods research and evaluation projects focused on critical issues in criminal, civil, and juvenile justice.
Manage the complete research project lifecycle, including developing work plans, setting timelines, managing budgets, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality deliverables.
Supervise, mentor, and foster the professional development of a team of researchers, data analysts, and research assistants, providing guidance on research design, analysis, and writing.
Oversee and conduct advanced quantitative data analysis using statistical software (e.g., Stata, R, SPSS) on large-scale, complex administrative datasets from justice system agencies.
Direct the collection and analysis of qualitative data through methods such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, direct observation, and case file reviews with justice-involved populations and system stakeholders.
Author and co-author a variety of high-impact publications, including comprehensive research reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, policy briefs, and presentations for diverse audiences.
Translate complex research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, funders, and the general public.
Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with external partners, including government agencies, community-based organizations, academic institutions, and funding entities.
Lead the development and writing of compelling grant proposals and funding applications to secure financial support for new and ongoing research initiatives.
Ensure the scientific rigor, methodological integrity, and ethical standards of all research activities, including obtaining and maintaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals.
Develop and implement robust data quality assurance protocols to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and validity of all data collected and analyzed.
Represent the organization as a subject matter expert at national conferences, expert panels, policy convenings, and meetings with key stakeholders.
Facilitate project meetings, both internally with the research team and externally with project partners, to monitor progress, solve problems, and ensure alignment on goals.
Stay current with the latest research, emerging trends, innovative methodologies, and key policy debates within the fields of criminal justice, criminology, and public policy.
Collaborate with communications staff to develop strategic dissemination plans for research findings, including creating web content, data visualizations, and social media campaigns.
Provide expert technical assistance and data-driven insights to government partners and other stakeholders to support evidence-based decision-making.
Manage subcontractor and consultant relationships, including drafting scopes of work, monitoring performance, and reviewing deliverables.
Oversee the creation and maintenance of secure data infrastructure and data-sharing agreements in compliance with legal and ethical requirements.
Contribute to the strategic direction of the organization's overall research agenda, identifying new areas of inquiry and opportunities for impact.
Prepare and deliver engaging presentations of research methods and findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, adapting content and style as needed.
Develop comprehensive project budgets and track expenditures to ensure all research activities are conducted within financial constraints.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis from internal and external stakeholders.
Contribute to the organization's broader data governance strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with other departments (e.g., Policy, Communications, Programs) to ensure research is integrated into all facets of the organization's work.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data and research teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expertise in advanced quantitative analysis and statistical modeling using software such as R, Stata, SPSS, or SAS.
Mastery of qualitative research methodologies, including interview/focus group protocol design, data collection, and thematic analysis using software like NVivo or Dedoose.
Proven experience managing and analyzing large, complex administrative datasets (e.g., court records, corrections data, law enforcement data).
Strong project management skills, including proficiency with project management software (e.g., Asana, Monday.com) and experience managing budgets and timelines.
Proficiency in creating compelling data visualizations and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or R Shiny.
Demonstrated success in grant writing and securing funding from government and/or private foundations.
Deep knowledge of survey design, implementation, and analysis using platforms such as Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey.
Familiarity with data security protocols and experience working with sensitive, confidential information.

Soft Skills

Exceptional leadership and team management abilities with a proven track record of mentoring and developing staff.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical information for non-technical audiences.
Superb strategic thinking and analytical problem-solving skills, with a knack for seeing the big picture and identifying key leverage points for policy change.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills for effective stakeholder engagement and partnership development.
High level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
A strong commitment to social and racial justice and the principles of evidence-based policy.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master's degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Ph.D. in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Criminology / Criminal Justice
Public Policy / Public Administration
Sociology
Economics
Political Science
Statistics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-10 years of progressive experience in applied research, with at least 3-4 years in a project management or supervisory capacity.

Preferred: Direct experience working with justice system administrative data (e.g., from courts, corrections, or law enforcement agencies) and a history of successful, peer-reviewed publications are highly preferred.