Job Description
Vice President, Research and Impact
Job Description
TO APPLY: Please submit cover letter and resume as one PDF document to HR@caregiving.org, by the submission deadline: February 6, 2026.
Position Overview
The Vice President of Research & Impact serves as the National Alliance for Caregiving’s (NAC) senior research leader, providing strategic direction and operational oversight for the organization's integrated research and impact initiatives. Reporting to the President and CEO, this position is responsible for setting the strategic vision for all NAC research initiatives while overseeing NAC’s efforts to accelerate the translation of evidence into measurable impact for America's 63 million+ family caregivers. The VP will position NAC as the nation's foremost leader in translating caregiving research into actionable solutions that transform policies, practices, and systems in support of family caregivers.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Research Direction (30%)
• Lead strategic direction for NAC research initiatives in coordination with the President and CEO and matrixed leadership across the organization.
• Develop and execute the organization’s long-term strategic vision for research leadership, ensuring alignment with NAC's organizational mission and the evolving landscape of family caregiving research and practice change.
• Serve as internal content expert on caregiving research, advising NAC leadership and staff on opportunities to advance priorities through research.
• Drive critical decision-making about research priorities across healthcare, economic opportunity, and community services.
• Oversee department structure, budget, and hiring strategy to build research capacity aligned with organizational goals.
Research Portfolio Oversight (25%)
• Provide executive oversight of NAC's flagship Caregiving in the US research series conducted in partnership with AARP, including opportunities for secondary analysis aligned with organizational priorities.
• Supervise and mentor research staff, fostering professional development and building team capacity to deliver high-quality research outputs and collaborate effectively across the organization.
• Oversee the CARE Network, NAC's $2M ACL cooperative agreement that builds critical data infrastructure and connects researchers, service providers, and family caregivers.
• Ensure research quality, methodological rigor, and strategic alignment across all NAC research initiatives.
• Guide staff in translating findings into accessible stakeholder communications across policy and practice.
• Monitor research impact and adjust priorities based on outcomes.
Cross-Functional Integration & Internal Leadership (15%)
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with and embed research expertise in NAC Programs, Policy & Advocacy, Development, Communications, and Board initiatives to ensure research informs and strengthens all organizational functions and is informed by these functions.
• Provide research and strategic guidance to support NAC's fundraising efforts with potential, new, and established partners, including foundations, private sector partners, and federal agencies.
• Ensure research maintains independence while supporting strategic research partnerships with external funders.
• Lead internal convenings and feedback mechanisms to align research priorities with organizational needs.
External Leadership & Strategic Partnerships (15%)
• Serve as NAC's primary external voice for research initiatives through keynote presentations, congressional briefings, policy convenings, thought leadership content, and high-level forums.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with research institutions, policy organizations, funders, industry partners, and key opinion leaders.
• Coordinate activities across NAC's Research Collaborative network of 60+ members to maximize collective impact.
• Establish and oversee Research Fellows Program for academics and government researchers to supplement NAC's research capacity and reach.
• Serve as central convener bringing together caregiving research, policy, and practice experts across sectors.
Business Development & Resource Acquisition (15%)
• Lead business development strategy for research and impact initiatives (e.g. cross-sector health collaboratives), identifying funding opportunities and partnership prospects.
• Guide grant strategy and proposal development for federal, state, and philanthropic funding (with support on execution form development and management teams).
• Cultivate relationships with current and prospective funders to sustain and grow research operations.
• Develop compelling evidence of NAC's research value proposition for diverse stakeholder audiences.
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience
• Education: Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s level) in public health, health services research, sociology, economics, gerontology, epidemiology, or related research field.
• Experience: Minimum 8-12 years of progressive leadership experience in research organizations, policy think tanks, academic institutions, and/or advocacy organizations.
• Senior Leadership: At least 2-3 years in director-level or equivalent senior management roles with responsibility for strategic direction, department management, and budget oversight.
Strategic & Leadership Expertise
• Proven track record of building and leading research departments or major research initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about research's role in organizational mission and impact.
• Experience managing senior staff and complex, multi-functional teams
• Strong decision-making skills with ability to set priorities and allocate resources effectively.
• Experience with organizational change management and cross-functional collaboration.
Research Knowledge & Credibility
• Knowledge of research study design, quantitative research methods, health policy, and health services research including health outcomes, epidemiology, health economics, and biostatistics.
• Understanding of large-scale research initiatives in aging, caregiving, health services, or social policy.
• Familiarity with federal grant mechanisms (e.g., ACL, NIH, PCORI) and cooperative agreements.
• Reputational credibility with academic researchers, policy experts, and practitioners.
External Relations & Communication
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences (researchers, policymakers, caregivers, media, general public).
• Demonstrated excellence in public speaking and presentation at high-visibility venues.
• Experience representing research and policy issues in congressional briefings, policy forums, or media engagements.
• Proven ability to translate complex research into accessible, actionable insights.
• Strong relationship-building skills across sectors (academic, government, nonprofit, private).
Business & Political Acumen
• Understanding of how research supports organizational development, partnerships, and revenue generation.
• Experience with business development, fundraising, or resource acquisition.
• Ability to navigate the intersection of research, policy, and advocacy.
• Understanding of the political landscape affecting caregiving policy and aging services.
• Familiarity with relevant research and advocacy organizations.
Preferred Qualifications
• Previous experience with caregiving research, family caregiver support programs, or aging services.
• Experience with and knowledge of data analysis tools like SPSS/Dedoose/Nvivo.
• Track record of congressional testimony or high-level policy briefings.
• Established relationships with AARP, ACL, PCORI, or other major aging/caregiving organizations.
• Experience leading research in advocacy-based or mission-driven organizations.
• Background in health economics, policy evaluation, or healthcare value assessment.
• Lived experience as a family caregiver.
Core Competencies
• Visionary Leadership & Research Innovation: Ability to articulate a compelling research vision for NAC and the care field, inspiring teams and partners.
• Strategic Thinking: Can see the big picture while understanding operational implications.
• Collaborative Influence: Builds coalitions and drives change without direct authority.
• Executive Presence: Commands respect and credibility in diverse settings.
• Communication Excellence: Translates complexity into clarity for any audience.
• Political Savvy: Navigates organizational and external politics effectively.
• Results Orientation: Focuses on measurable impact and outcomes.
• Adaptive Leadership: Thrives in dynamic environments and leads through ambiguity.
Compensation and Benefits
• Annual Salary: $120,000-$130,000
• TIAA 403(b) Retirement: Quarterly contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan, no match required.
• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance, with employee contribution.
• Life and Disability Insurance, no employee share required.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for health-related purchases and/or dependent care.
• Monthly stipend for mobile phone usage.
• 15 Days of Paid Time Off annually, accrued bi-weekly; pro-rated in first year to start date.
• 5 Paid Sick Days, pro-rated to start date (but not less than 3 days) and immediately available.
• Caregiving Support and Specialized Leave, including paid leave related to family and medical needs, bereavement leave, and other types of workplace accommodations, subject to state and local laws.
• Paid Federal Holidays and Winter Holiday (Office closed 12/24 through 1/1).
• Paid Monthly WMATA SmartBenefits or parking up to $130/monthly (DC employees).
• Flex-time and hybrid work schedule available; strong preference for a candidate local to the Washington, DC area.
• Paid membership in an organization/association of your choosing—to be aligned with the work performed for NAC.
NAC is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Candidates of diverse backgrounds, minorities, women, people with disabilities, people of LGBT orientation, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.