Director of Research and Public Policy (7+ years of exp. required)

About First Place AZ

We are a spirited charitable nonprofit organization advancing a new marketplace of inclusive housing, healthcare, employment and lifelong-learning options for adults with autism, neurodivergences and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). First Place-Phoenix, our flagship property, serves as a proof point and living laboratory informing our national work, offering a real-world site for innovation, learning and demonstration. This position sits within First Place Global where we aim to extend this work nationally by developing the systems, standards and partnerships that drive market transformation.

First Place AZ is an equal opportunity employer.

The Opportunity

While rooted in First Place Global’s field-building mission, the Director of Research & Public Policy is a strategic leadership position responsible for advancing our research and policy agenda through applied, action-oriented inquiry, community-informed collaboration and translation of findings to diverse audiences. The director works across the full First Place AZ ecosystem, including First Place-Phoenix, our R&D site, and other properties.

Our agenda focuses on generating practical insights that shape a more inclusive marketplace — including defining housing and service models, informing financing and policy decisions, strengthening the direct-support workforce and building the knowledge base communities need to act with confidence. This means identifying what works, for whom, under what conditions — and translating those findings into tools, guidance and policy frameworks that help communities move from possibility to implementation. The agenda brings research, policy and practice together — treating them as interconnected levers of systems change rather than separate functions.

This role is ideal for a leader who is energized by building a shared research agenda in alignment with organizational priorities and in partnership with community collaborators. It is not for someone primarily seeking to extend a personal research portfolio or publication record. Research at First Place Global is purpose-driven and applied for the sake of the people and communities we serve.

The Director will lead initiatives that:

• Help define, prioritize and evolve a shared research and policy agenda aligned with First Place Global’s mission of marketplace transformation.
• Generate timely, practical insights to influence local, state and national policy, professional standards and organizational practices.
• Elevate the voices of individuals with autism, neurodivergences and/or I/DD.
• Promote systemic change that supports independent living, self-determination and social inclusion.
• Collaborate closely with Associate Directors of Applied Research and Public Policy (AR&PP) to ensure research and policy initiatives benefit from continuity, institutional knowledge and community-rooted insight.

Systemic change can include shifts in public policy, multisector coalition building, professional training and practice standards, and other domains identified through ongoing learning and partnership.

Grounded in continuous learning and real-world impact, this position emphasizes:

• Gathering and translating evidence into action.
• Using the best available data to drive decisions – especially in situations where evidence is incomplete yet decisions need to be made.
• Fostering rapid cycles of knowledge building, organizational learning and improvement that strengthen organizations, programs and policy.
• Working in partnership with internal and external leaders.

The research approach is intentionally lean, agile and applied—prioritizing face validity and real-world utility over the academic conventions of peer review and methodological perfection.

First Place seeks a leader who values velocity, collaboration and usefulness—someone eager to generate credible, actionable knowledge that moves quickly from insight to implementation, rather than waiting for ideal conditions or exhaustive studies.

Who You Are

You are a strategic thinker and passionate advocate with a deep understanding of disability rights, public policy and systems that impact adults with autism, neurodivergences and/or I/DD.

You bring a nonpartisan approach to public policy, grounding your work in evidence, community voice and the shared goal of improving systems for adults with autism, neurodivergences and/or I/DD.

You combine analytical skill with purpose and pragmatism—using data, lived experience and professional judgment to drive meaningful change. You value learning through action and are comfortable making decisions with imperfect information when time and impact matter.

You are fluent in both qualitative and quantitative methods and skilled at translating findings into practical insights that inform programs, policy and practice. You know how to communicate complex ideas clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences, from policymakers to practitioners to community partners. You understand that clear, consistent storytelling is part of how change happens—and that aligning data, message and mission is essential to building influence and trust.

You are energized by collaboration and partnership and you:

• Listen deeply to the voices of self-advocates, family members, organizational collaborators and communities.
• Work effectively across sectors and disciplines to build coalitions and shared agendas.
• Value inclusion and equity while keeping work focused, agile and actionable.
• Possess strong communication skills—written, verbal and visual—and have genuine commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Above all, you bring a commitment to advancing autonomy, dignity and community participation to the greatest degree possible for those we represent and serve.

What You’ll Do

Policy Leadership & Advocacy

• Develop and implement a proactive public policy agenda that aligns with the organization’s mission and strategic goals–informed by emerging evidence and community insight.
• Monitor and analyze legislation, regulations, policies and emerging trends affecting adults with autism, neurodivergences and/or I/DD.
• Co-develop policy priorities with Associate Directors and senior leaders to ensure shared ownership, alignment and sustainability across the First Place ecosystem.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, coalitions, advocacy groups and stakeholders at local, state and national levels.
• Lead grassroots and grass tops advocacy campaigns to influence public opinion and policy outcomes.
• Prepare and deliver policy briefs, testimony, position papers and other advocacy materials– ensuring that data and lived experience are expressed through clear, compelling narratives.

Research & Program Evaluation

• Design and oversee applied, action-oriented research and rapid-learning initiatives that inform best practices in independent living and support services.
• Partner with Associate Directors and trusted collaborators to design research frameworks, evaluation tools and knowledge-translation products that strengthen organizational learning.
• Build internal capacity by mentoring team members in applied research methods, quality-improvement processes and data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborate with universities, evaluation partners, think tanks and advocacy organizations to conduct original research and disseminate findings.
• Evaluate the impact of organizational programs and use data to drive continuous improvement and policy recommendations.
• Translate complex research into accessible formats for diverse audiences, including self-advocates, families, practitioners and policymakers.
• Teach methods of data-driven quality-improvement and continuous-learning methods internally and with partners to help build capacity, guiding decisions and strengthening organizational performance.
• Use the best available evidence to inform action when data are incomplete, documenting lessons learned for refinement and scaling.
• Develop concise, practice-ready products—briefs, dashboards, toolkits—that help stakeholders act quickly on findings.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a thought leader and spokesperson for the organization on issues related to disability rights, applied research agenda and findings, inclusion and public policy.
• Work cross-functionally with program, communications and development teams to integrate research and policy efforts.
• Supervise staff, interns or consultants as needed to execute research and policy initiatives.
• Foster a culture of disciplined experimentation and continuous improvement within the research and policy team.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role supervises the Associate Director of Applied Research and the Associate Director of Public Policy and supports them to lead and mentor their respective team members.

What You’ll Bring

• Master’s degree or higher in Public Policy, Social Work, Disability Studies, Sociology, Public Health or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, research or advocacy, preferably in the disability or human services sector with demonstrated success in applied or translational research environments.
• Strong knowledge of disability rights, inclusive housing, Medicaid policy and systems of support for adults with autism, neurodivergences and/or I/DD.
• Proven experience designing or managing applied research and translating findings into actionable policy, program or systems recommendations.
• Excellent written, visual and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex findings clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion and the principles of self-determination and independent living.
• Experience working with or alongside individuals with autism, neurodivergences and/or I/DD, including self-advocates and family members.
• Familiarity with participatory, community-based or quality-improvement/continuous-improvement approaches to learning and evaluation.
• Experience establishing relationships with relevant legislative or regulatory bodies.
• Experience developing dissemination products and strategies that move research into practice.
• Commitment to developing internal leadership and strengthening a pipeline of emerging leaders within the organization.

*All potential employees of First Place will be required to pass a thorough criminal background check, drug screening and any other offender/registry clearances as identified and deemed appropriate by the organization.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• public policy, research or advocacy: 7 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Phoenix, AZ 85012 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $140,000