Assistant Director, Evaluation and Research

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace; it is a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

Job Description

The Assistant Director for Evaluation and Research plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Center for Broader Impacts (CBI) by leading research proposal evaluation efforts and contributing to the Center’s scholarly work. Reporting to the Associate Director, this position provides individualized evaluation services to researchers at both the pre-award and post-award stages, designs and implements evaluation tools, manages the evaluation recharge process, and contributes to the Center’s research and academic scholarship.

The Assistant Director also serves as the lead evaluator for the multi-year Talk With Your Baby program expansion in collaboration with the Robinson Community Learning Center, overseeing study design, data collection, and reporting. This role requires expertise in study design, measurement, and mixed-method approaches, as well as strong relationship-building skills with faculty, partners, and community collaborators.

This position offers the possibility of a cyclical remote schedule, depending on experience, with occasional travel to South Bend for data collection, team activities, and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individualized Broader Impacts project and program evaluation services during both pre-award and post-award phases.
• Contribute to CBI’s evaluation research and academic scholarship.
• Build and coordinate local and national networks of Broader Impacts evaluators to meet the complex needs of Notre Dame researchers.
• Design evaluation tools for quality control of Broader Impacts programs beyond grant-specific needs.
• Ensure smooth operations of the evaluation recharge process, including preparing estimates, monitoring proposals, and billing.
• Serve as the lead evaluator for the Talk With Your Baby program expansion.
• Develop new tools for data collection and analysis, and curate a repository of validated instruments.
• Maintain and expand relationships with individual faculty, community partners, and organizational collaborators.
• Actively participate in CBI meetings, team-building, and strategic planning activities. 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or advanced certification beyond a Bachelor’s degree. Preference for a STEM-related field (B.S., M.S., or higher).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with project and/or program evaluation, using a variety of evaluation methods.
• Experience working in higher education and managing a wide range of projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with federal funding programs and requirements.
• Experience engaging with research-active faculty and/or community partners.

Preferred

• Evaluation and research experience on projects focused on families and/or bilingual populations.
• Experience supporting or participating across the academic research lifecycle, from proposal development through project implementation and close-out.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to balance competing priorities, and high emotional intelligence.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to disseminate findings to a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.
• Experience with STEM education.

Additional Information

Salary: Up to $100,000 - Commensurate with experience. 
This position may be based remotely within the U.S., with the expectation of traveling to South Bend, IN approximately four times per year for 1–2 weeks each visit.

Instructions for Application:
Please upload: Cover letter and current resume/CV.
References: Provide 3 professional references, which may include a mix of current or former managers, colleagues, or peers.
Writing Sample: Please provide a report or publication you contributed to, accompanied by a brief paragraph describing your specific role and contributions.
Applications due by 10/6/25

For more information on the Center for Broader Impacts, visit: https://cbi.nd.edu/about/

At Notre Dame, we know our impact depends on exceptional people, people like you. We are committed to fostering a vibrant, welcoming community. In keeping with our mission, we encourage applications from all who will help build and strengthen our beloved community. We strive to empower every employee to flourish, knowing your success propels Notre Dame to new heights of impact.