Business Unit Description

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world's largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

Policy, Research and International Affairs (PRI) serves AARP by leading the development and articulation of AARP's public policies, research and insights on the 50+ and issues that matter to them, importing best global practices, and strengthening AARP's reputation for world class expertise and thought leadership.

Summary

This position will be an integral part of the AARP Research Consumer Insights team. Serves as the chief architect within the Enterprise in designing and operationalizing an evaluations practice that will include driving an agenda to build a measurement and evaluation culture and capacity, developing effective practices and processes for evaluating the impact of AARP strategies, products, services, and building a Community of Practice across the organization. This position reports to the Vice President of Consumer Insights, work closely with Directors and Senior Research Advisors, and will effectively lead a matrixed organization of Research team members.
Responsibilities

• Leads AARP Research's Evaluation Strategic Plan to build evaluation capacity within AARP Research, and champion the use and value of evaluation research broadly across the enterprise. Draws lessons and communicates best practices from evaluation studies and impact assessments to inform strategic decisions
• Leads knowledge development through curriculum and training development, design and use of rubrics, methods, tools, and processes for evaluation - both formative and summative - that can be used to scale our approach to assessing our impact
• Effectively leads a matrixed team from Research and other business units in developing, tracking, and reporting metrics related to annual and longer-term strategic plan and priorities.
• Designs and develops a strong, organization-wide Measurement & Evaluation Community of Practice. Foresees emerging trends and formulates proactive solutions to be seen as a best-in-class organization.
• Liaises with the Evaluation Director in the Foundation to coordinate resources and share best practices.
• Liaises with AARP's Data Analytics & Performance Management (DAPM), Enterprise Strategic Planning, and social impact teams to develop standards and metrics for impact evaluation that can be scaled for the organization.
• Oversees external research and evaluation consultants.

Requirements

• Master's degree in economics, social sciences, public policy, education, program evaluation, or other relevant field. Ph.D. preferred.
• 10+ years of experience working in the field of research and evaluation.
• Gerontology education or subject matter expertise a plus.
• Experience leading or serving as a key technical team member for multiple evaluations. The preferred candidate will have experience with both formative and summative evaluations.
• Excellent verbal and written skills. Experience in utilizing social media to build visibility and accessibility is strongly preferred.
• Solid project management experience for evaluation work.
• Ability to adhere to tight deadlines and work accurately in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Partnering skills with key stakeholders.
• Must be able to work well in a team environment and collaborate across teams.
• Ability to take initiative, willingness to learn, and be flexible.
• Experience writing and managing grants or other evaluation funding is preferred.

Benefits Offered

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.
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.