Director of Research and Impact

Position Summary

Idyllwild Arts Foundation seeks a Director of Research & Impact (DRI) to lead its newly established Office of Research & Impact (ORI). This senior-level role, a 3-year funded position, will strengthen the Foundation’s capacity to use data and evaluation to support institutional sustainability, educational excellence, and mission-driven impact.

The Director will centralize institutional research efforts, partner with senior leadership and departments across the organization, and translate complex data into clear, actionable insight. The successful candidate will help cultivate a healthy data culture that informs strategy, improves decision-making, and supports continuous learning within a creative, values-driven educational environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and build the Office of Research & Impact as the Foundation’s centralized institutional research and evaluation function
• Design and manage research initiatives related to:
  • Organizational sustainability and business model analysis
  • Enrollment, recruitment, and retention
  • Advancement, alumni engagement, and fundraising
  • Student outcomes and program impact
• Develop dashboards, reports, and tools that make data accessible and meaningful to diverse stakeholders
• Partner with academic, enrollment, advancement, and administrative teams to support data-informed planning
• Coordinate and support external consultants conducting evaluations of arts instruction and community impact
• Communicate findings clearly and effectively to leadership, faculty, staff, and trustees
• Promote data literacy and a culture of inquiry, reflection, and improvement across the organization

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree or higher in education, institutional research, social science, data analytics, public policy, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in institutional research, evaluation, or data strategy
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
• High ethical standards and discretion with sensitive information

Preferred

• Experience in independent schools, boarding schools, higher education, or nonprofit organizations
• Familiarity with arts education or creative learning environments
• Experience working on research related to community, culture, or inclusion
• Comfort working in hybrid or remote professional settings

Physical Demands/Work Environments: while performing the duties of this position, an incumbent may be required to:

-regularly remain sedentary for long periods of time in meetings and while processing information and paperwork both manually and on a computer

-reach with the hands and arms and use of hands to finger, type, and manipulate a computer keyboard and mouse

-converse in clear English both written and orally, over the telephone and in person

-be able to make public presentations

-occasionally, lift up to 25 pounds, traverse uneven terrain and climb stairs while moving about campus, bend and stoop, conduct tours and show visitors campus facilities

-provide their transportation for local and remote events

-work varying hours which may include days, nights, and weekends

Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Salary : $95,000 - $110,000