Senior Manager, Research & Operations

Principal Accountabilities:

• Manages a client base of key clients and performs research, analysis, and evaluation for clients, and creates products; acts as project manager and/or analyst.
• Personally performs billable work that bills annually at a 2+ multiple of base compensation. 
• Assigns client work to analysts; appoints a project manager for each project/client.
• Ensures all client research/analysis work, of all analysts, is on schedule and completed on time.

• Interfaces with internal/external partners (Blue Trust, National Christian Foundation, etc.) to obtain/coordinate work. 
• For each product, ensures all product processes and standards are met, and that the resulting product is high quality (meets specs in research project’s Proposal Memorandum).
• Maintains and constantly updates/upgrades tools for product creation (templates, processes, protocols, checklists, writing standards, etc.)
• Constantly monitors products, and client needs and reactions, to initiate incremental improvements; and creates new products as needed (upon client need and proactively). 
• Periodically revamps/overhauls/refreshes products. 
• Manages the profitability of the research and analysis function.

• Manages all research and analysis staff and contractors, especially project managers, and assigns project managers and teams to projects.
• Ensures adequate research analyst staff to meet client needs; anticipates growth.
• Monitors analyst team productivity and ensures accountability to ensure project profitability.
• Builds and nurtures a healthy, productive work culture among analysts.
• Provides professional growth paths for analyst staff.
• Fosters a continual learning mindset and commitment to discovery and use of best practices for the company, regarding nonprofits and donors.

• As required for technical input, works with the Director, Philanthropic Consulting to sell products and services.
• Contributes to designing solutions and drafting Proposal Memoranda and pricing in light of the level of effort required.
• With lead salesperson, conducts project launch meetings.

• Grasps, and has personally embraced, the vision and mission of the company and articulates and inspires others toward the advancement of that mission.
• Approaches work, interactions, and relationships in a manner consistent with the Company’s Core Values.
• Manages projects and interacts with others in a manner that is consistent with Company’s Management Language, leadership principles and values.
• Understands and supports the counsel and biblical basis upon which Ronald Blue Trust serves its client base.
• Maintains the highest Compliance standards by adhering to the company's Human Resources guidelines, Compliance policies and procedures, professional designation standards, and industry's regulatory standards to mitigate risk to the company.

• Excellent business writer and editor
• Demonstrated interest in nonprofit impact and effective philanthropy
• Clear understanding of how a consulting business operates successfully
• Commitment to deliver high-quality research and consulting products 
• Eagerness to research and create client products
• Solid interpersonal and management skills, capability to supervise seasoned professionals
• Superior communication skills: ability to communicate well with all people 
• High degree of emotional intelligence
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail
• Ability to manage remotely, via Zoom and/or other technologies

Education, Experience & Skills:

• Bachelor's degree required. Degree in monitoring and evaluation, program evaluation, business, or a similar field, or a Master’s in a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of seven years prior experience in a related field is required.

Physical Demands:

• Availability to travel, including internationally.