The Director of Research and Evaluation will lead a strategy for organizational research and evaluation of aquarium experiences, including exhibits, informal science learning and conservation engagement taking place on-site, in communities and online. 

Reporting to the Vice President of Learning & Community, the Director of Research and Evaluation will support data-informed planning and decision-making, providing data support and insights and demonstrating expertise and skills specific to social science research, impact evaluation, data analytics and technical writing. Work may include evaluation of program design, learning and engagement impacts on individuals, and broader community and/or environmental outcomes. Evaluation efforts will incorporate a lens of diversity, equity, access and inclusion aligned with Shedd’s goal to nurture a sense of belonging among guests and participants. 

Working extensively and in close collaboration with multiple departments, the Director of Research and Evaluation plans and executes projects and initiatives in accordance with the needs of the organization, managing the intake process, working closely with leadership to assess and prioritize projects to meet institutional and programmatic needs and priorities. The director will lead staff, volunteers and contracted support to ensure best practices, high quality data and analysis, and effective communication of Shedd’s research and evaluation efforts. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Demonstrates leadership in accordance to Shedd’s vision, mission and values  
• Works with senior leadership in the Marketing & Experience division to identify research and evaluation priorities for the organization, providing oversight in the collaborative development of key research questions for Shedd’s Centennial Commitment, Environmental Education Access Initiative, DEAI efforts, and other strategic initiatives 
• Leads the design and methodology, implementation, and utilization of research and evaluation for Shedd experiences and exhibits 
• Helps to further a culture of evaluation at Shedd, refining and championing performance measurement and monitoring, empowering and supporting teams to use data to better understand and improve their work 
• Works collaboratively to design strategies and provide support for data utilization to inform program management, program improvement, and to report on organizational and departmental outcomes while maintaining ethical data practices 
• Provides guidance to key stakeholders in the research and evaluation process, assisting in identifying key questions, methods, completing qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and using results for continuous improvement. 
• Works collaboratively with leadership in establishing benchmarks, key performance indicators, dashboards, and other metrics and performance measures 
• Builds new and strengthens existing partnerships with local, national, and international research and evaluation partners to advance knowledge for Shedd and the field 
• Leverages resources and supports senior leadership in assessing opportunities to create a body of informal science learning research 
• Collaborates with Development to identify and secure funding to support research initiatives 
• Designs and administers surveys and other data collection instruments; collects and analyzes data; and prepares narratives and statistical reports 
• Manages evaluation projects from start to finish, including budget creation and management, identifying funding, maintaining timelines, developing project roles and assessing project success. 
• Oversees the Museum’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) in reviewing all internal and external research studies to ensure protection of human subjects per Federal guidelines 
• Supervises a Research & Evaluation coordinator and additional seasonal staff, volunteers, contractors and/or partners to advance department and organization goals.  
• Develops departmental goals, objectives, deliverables and budget. 
• Prepares competitive submissions to professional conferences and journals. 
• Participates in aquarium wide and interdepartmental teams, projects or meetings as needed. 
• Fulfill other duties as required. 

Qualifications

Education:   

• PhD degree preferred; equivalent in research and evaluation-related field including, psychology, education, learning sciences, or related field, or at least 8 years’ related experience 

Experience:  

• Minimum 5 years acting in a management role in a learning, cultural or conservation organization, including budget responsibility and direct supervision of staff 
• ​​​​​​​Experience conducting social science research and outcome-based evaluation studies using both qualitative and quantitative methods; familiarity with marketing metrics 
• Knowledge of diverse methods appropriate for the field of informal learning, including both established methodologies and unique approaches to measuring outcomes and impact 
• Experience evaluating projects using a lens of DEAIJ (diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, and justice) 
• History of leveraging resources to create a body of informal science research; experience managing federal grants preferred 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required 
• Comfort with computer-based data management and analysis platforms (for example: SPSS, R, Dedoose, Survey Monkey.); working knowledge of spreadsheet and database software 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and accuracy required 
• Ability to work independently, as well as cooperatively with Shedd staff, guests, and program participants 
• Experience reviewing academic literature and seeking information on current trends. 
• Experience presenting to and soliciting feedback from colleagues through professional conferences 
• Experience writing articles for publication in peer-reviewed and other journals 
• Demonstrated attention to detail, organizational, problem-solving and time management skills 
• Competency with Microsoft Office programs and statistical programs like SPSS 

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).