Director, Growth, Enablement, & Membership

Overview

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

AARP's Policy, Research and International Affairs leads the development and communication of AARP's public policies and, research and insights on the issues that matter to people 50-plus.

The Director, Growth, Enablement, & Membership directs and manages a high-visibility research department. Directs the planning and execution of primary and secondary research to develop insights within the organization. Directs the evaluation of business priorities and programs to identify improvements and measure outcomes. Collaborates with senior leadership to translate and integrate consumer insights into strategic plans to ensure continued successful growth and profitability. Interprets complex technical research findings for key internal and external audiences. Formulates cross-cutting research policies and procedures to ensure the quality and credibility of research. Effectively synthesizes complexity into clear, actionable insights that can drive internal decision-making and external understanding of the organization's issues and consumers. Presents and interprets complex technical research findings to key internal and external decision-making and policy-making audiences. Represents the organization to external audiences, including national media, as needed and appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Advises leadership and executives on the implications of research for planning, strategy development, and decision-making. Research is utilized to shape policies, advocacy positions, business decisions/strategies, and product or program development.
• Collaborates across the Consumer Insights team and the broader Research leadership team on setting overall research strategy and direction, ensuring that the team's research agenda is highly responsive to Association strategic and business needs and informs and guides decision-making. Formulates cross-cutting research policies and procedures to ensure the quality and credibility of research, as well as to maximize the efforts of the larger research team. Provides leadership in the development and execution of the Research strategic plan and assists and/or leads in Research management initiatives.
• Directs and manages a high-visibility research department and is accountable for ensuring that departmental goals are met. Develops a clear research agenda for the team, as well as research unit business goals, research plans, budget, and metrics. Implements research policies/procedures and ensures that research products and services are timely, relevant, cost-effective, and high quality.
• Builds effective strategic relationships with key units/clients in the organization to anticipate research needs, develop a research program that addresses critical priorities and ensure that clients' decision-making is better informed and more successful. Serves as a recognized authority on research and as a key advisor on the implications of research for action. Works closely and collaboratively with colleagues to best address issues and client needs for the organization and to support the Enterprise strategy.
• Manages, supervises, develops, advises, and mentors highly knowledgeable and competent research staff. Sets performance goals and measures with supervised staff, conducts periodic performance reviews, maintains appropriate documentation of reviews, and recommends appropriate compensation and other rewards. Develops position descriptions and recruits and hires personnel as needed.
• Leads knowledge management efforts and consults with top-level executives nationwide, including advising on crucial programmatic decisions, evaluations, and policy implications. Performs or oversees critical analyses and syntheses of substantial and complex information, including both primary and secondary data, for purposes of advising and guiding decision-making at the strategic level and/or influencing external decision-making and policy-making bodies including industry partners.
• Presents and interprets complex technical research findings to key internal and external decision-making and policy-making audiences. Effectively synthesizes complexity into clear, actionable insights that can drive internal decision-making and external.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related discipline preferred. 15+ years of experience in a research field. 7+ years of experience managing high-performing teams of 8 or more in size.
• Experience in social research and research methodologies required.
• Experience in Brand research required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop consumer-focused social media communications, conference-level presentations, and media interviews, are required.
• Proficient in project management, online research, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with statistical concepts and applications. Experience with analyzing and presenting data required.
• Strong collaboration skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with all levels and across multiple departments.
• Demonstrated capability in strategy, business analysis, and analytical thinking. Ability to leverage data to identify actionable insights that influence business strategy and tactics to drive results.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition; tuition reimbursement; among others.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.