Vice President, Primary Data Collection

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. Our staff of nearly 6,000 works in more than 75 countries—tackling hundreds of projects each year to address complex social and scientific challenges on behalf of governments, businesses, foundations, universities, and other clients and partners.

We are seeking a Vice President of Primary Data Collection with a proven record of driving innovation, process changes, and quality to lead our primary data collection operations. The Vice President of Primary Data Collection is responsible for providing strategic, technical, and operational oversight to the functions that support single and multi-mode data collection including a large facility which houses operational functions and the technology used in support of it. This position supports the Data Practice Area as well as primary data collections across other practice areas. A successful candidate is strong collaborator with technical abilities to leverage best-in-class research practices across our portfolio of research. This position is opening at a time when we are growing and expand the impact that our data and data collection efforts have on making life better for people everywhere by addressing the world’s most critical problems with evidence-based solutions.

The Vice President of Primary Data Collection supports the Practice Area’s achievement of annual goals, annual revenue and earnings, has responsibility for project execution and accountable for delivering excellence and quality oversight.

This position can be located at our headquarters in Research Triangle Park, NC or may work remotely within the US.  Hybrid work is also allowed.

• Manages staff through performance planning, development and evaluation process. Ensures staff development and career progression. Ensures practices in place to ensure/drive towards a high level of staff morale and retention. Guides promotion and succession processes.
• Has both strategic and operational accountability for the direction and performance of the employees being managed to ensure efficient operation of the function.
• Assumes responsibility for Data Practice Area research projects, budgets, schedules, and quality by implementing standards and procedures to ensure adequate project management and review.
• Makes final decisions on administrative or operational matters for the Division.
• Serves as an advocate for change management by demonstrating support for change in active and observable ways. Leads adoption of new ideas and practices.
• Engages with clients to ensure successful execution of existing projects, maintain good relations with RTI, and support development of proposals and future business.
• Collaborates with other top leaders to establish and execute/implement within and across Practice Areas, and Business Development priorities, processes, and policies across Social, Statistical and Environmental Sciences (SSES).
• Contributes across the organization in working with senior managers and proposal and project directors on broad strategic and operational issues.
• Leads data collection modernization efforts by staying abreast of and leveraging new methodologies to advance the business.
• Leads the development of the function ensuring sufficient resources and needed skill sets are present to meet the needs of RTI. Fully responsible for identifying and implementing improvements in work processes.
• As a scientific/technical manager, may write and review proposals or portions of proposals. Mentors staff in same.
• Participates in business development activities including meetings with prospective clients. Identifies strategic opportunities for function and works with business development to market these opportunities.
• Oversees the development, maintenance and adherence to standard operating procedures and best practices.
• Ensures the professional credibility of the group function with internally and externally with key professional delivering the promise of science for global good organizations. Helps to develop the scientific and/or professional stature of staff.
• Inspires and fosters a culture of innovation, quality, and client-centricity.
• Serves as a subject matter expert.
• May direct, support, or advise on studies within the context of the Data Practice Area.
• Mentor staff in project leadership.
• Develops strategies to ensure effective achievement of scientific objectives.
• May develop budgets for capital expenditures and labor.
• Supports Practice Area in meeting annual objectives including growth and metrics.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and at least 20 years of experience, or a Master's degree and at least 16 years of experience, or a PhD and at least 12 years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience in the survey research and/or market research industries.
• Experience leading a data collection team through the survey life cycle process.
• Proven leadership and management skills, with experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to lead in a matrix organization environment with multiple clients and stakeholders.
• Excellent business and general management skills, including the ability to create a highly effective/efficient and successful team working atmosphere.
• Experience communicating change effectively and to prepare and support those affected by change.
• Ability to hire and manage diverse teams, mentor and grow staff, and establish a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
• Ability to anticipate problems and develop contingencies before issues arise (i.e. staffing, budget, technical, or personnel-related).
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a proactive and timely manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Proven track record of inspiring respect and trust; foster quality focus in others.
• Diplomatic and reasonable coaching and feedback skills, including the ability to give and receive feedback.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to listen and communicate well both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to travel throughout the year to domestic and international locations and stay in those locations as needed.
• Consistent demonstration of the RTI Values and Lead Forward behaviors by all employees is critical to the Institute’s success. Behaviors associated with our Values and Lead Forward can been found on RTI Insider and Careers page.
• To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and experience with government contracting.
• Strong track record of contributing to winning proposals and leading large projects.

Core Competencies:

• Change Leader/Advocate (Advanced experience)
• Diplomacy (Advanced experience)
• Influence (Advanced experience)
• Collaboration (Advanced experience)
• Matrix Management (Advanced experience)
• Technical Credibility (Advanced experience)
• Empowerment
• Cross-team Integration (Subject matter depth and breadth)
• All Lead Forward Behaviors (Extensive experience)
• Organizational Leadership
• Promoting Organizational Commitment
• Strategic & Tactical Planning (Advanced experience)
• Team Well Being
• Building Relationships (Extensive experience)
• Industry Insight (Extensive experience)
• Alignment (Subject matter depth and breadth)
• Scientific and Technical Stature Building (Extensive experience)
• Solutions Development

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Salary : $249,000 - $308,000