James Bell Associates (JBA) conducts independent evaluations and provides actionable, useful findings to advance policy and practice. We also build the capacity of others to conduct their own evaluations, make data-driven decisions, and improve performance.

Industry: Research Services
Company Size: 51-200 employees

James Bell Associates

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**Overview **

James Bell Associates (JBA) is a nationally recognized program evaluation and applied research firm specializing in evaluations of health and social service programs and capacity building technical assistance (TA). Its mission is to improve the lives of children, families, and communities through evaluation. JBA projects cross disciplines with an emphasis on child welfare, child and family development, tribal evaluation, and health care. Clients include federal, state, tribal, and local governments as well as universities, foundations, and nonprofits.

JBA is currently seeking a full-time senior research associate/project director. **This position is contingent upon contract award and will play a senior leadership role on a major federal project focused on child and family well-being, early childhood systems, formative evaluation, and technical assistance. ** An ideal candidate should be experienced in the field of maternal and child health and should be able to successfully demonstrate strong knowledge and expertise of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and related disabilities. Experience with large-scale federal projects is strongly preferred.

This is a remote position with some travel required. The salary range is from $90,000 to $120,000, dependent on experience. JBA offers a generous benefits package that includes health care coverage, a 401(K)-matching plan, and profit sharing.

JBA seeks to create a workforce where all staff have opportunities to advance and thrive. We value a work culture with staff from all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and experiences. JBA is an equal opportunity employer.

**Responsibilities **

- Provide day-to-day leadership for major federal evaluation and technical assistance activities

- Support project leadership in coordinating staff, consultants, timelines, budgets, and deliverables across multiple tasks

- Lead or co-lead technical assistance activities related to child and family development, early childhood systems, maternal and child health, or related federal initiatives

- Oversee development of written products, including reports, toolkits, technical memos, issue briefs, presentations, and other dissemination materials

- Guide the design and implementation of evaluation, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement activities

- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality implementation and integration across tasks

- Facilitate communication with federal partners, subcontractors, and external groups

- Present findings and recommendations to multiple audiences, including federal staff, practitioners, and partners

- Contribute to proposal development, staffing strategies, and other business development activities across JBA

- Support additional firm projects aligned with expertise in child and family development, evaluation, and technical assistance

**Required Qualifications **

- Minimum of a master’s degree with 7+ years of experience child or human development, public health, behavioral sciences, social work, family studies, education, psychology, or a related field

- Subject matter expertise in neurodevelopmental disorders and maternal and child health

- Experience managing complex projects or major tasks, including staff supervision, timeline management, budget oversight, and coordination of deliverables

- Experience designing or leading evaluation, performance measurement, or applied research activities

- Experience providing technical assistance or capacity-building support to programs, systems, or organizations

- Experience managing a team of staff and consultants

- Strong, effective written communication skills, including use of plain language and technical writing for federal and non-technical audiences

- Excellent oral communication and facilitation skills

- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across teams

- Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail; ability to lead and manage multiple priorities, sometimes simultaneously, under deadlines while maintaining high-quality work

**Preferred Qualifications **

- Experience serving in a senior role on federal contracts or cooperative agreements

- Experience leading dissemination activities, including webinars, publications, and strategic communication products

- Experience with federally funded technical assistance centers or national resource centers

- Business development experience, including proposal writing and staffing design

- Experience supervising consultants and subcontractors

- Subject matter expertise in early childhood systems, family support, or related child-serving systems

To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and writing sample, to our hiring team at recruiting@jbassoc.com.

Senior Research Associate/Project Director, Performance Improvement and Evaluation Practice Area

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