Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Yoga Alliance is a nonprofit membership association serving yoga professionals, practitioners, and advocates worldwide. The Director, Research & Analysis leads the design and execution of research, data collection, evaluation, and performance measurement to support strategic decision-making. The role analyzes quantitative and qualitative data, develops reports and visualizations, and provides evidence-based recommendations across the organization.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and build of research framework at Yoga Alliance; ensure execution of the framework
- Be the in house subject matter expert on research and metrics; teach and coach others on application
- Stay abreast of yoga and wellness space and inject innovation and evolutions along the way
- Track key performance indicators for project and team work plans and overall portfolio performance
- Prepare executive-level reports and presentations on portfolio status, risks, and recommendations
- Conduct post-implementation reviews to capture lessons learned and inform continuous improvement
- Drive and maintain research and analysis functions that ensure data-driven insights inform portfolio decisions
- Lead the design of and conduct research that may include focus groups, stakeholder interviews, listening sessions, member panels, needs assessments, and feasibility analyses in support of strategic initiatives
- Evaluate program and initiative effectiveness, tracking outcomes against organizational goals
- Support the development and maintenance of the Balanced Scorecard and other performance frameworks
- Monitor market trends, sector developments, and peer organization activity relevant to yoga, wellness, and credentialing
- Curate and synthesize scholarly research to inform organizational strategy and thought leadership
- Maintain an organized knowledge management system for research assets and data sources
- Nurture and steward relationships with yoga and wellness researchers
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, member data, and external sources
- Translate findings into clear, compelling reports and visualizations for varied audiences (staff, board, members)
- Support data storytelling across organizational communications
- Partner with teams across the organization to identify information needs and design research approaches
- Oversee and contribute to white papers, impact reports, and other knowledge products
- Support grant-related research and evaluation requirements as needed
- Lead the collection, synthesis, and interpretation of member, stakeholder, and community feedback to identify trends, opportunities, and strategic recommendations
- Other projects and initiatives as necessary
Skills
- 10+ years of progressive experience in research, evaluation, data analysis or related role
- 5+ years' experience in the following:
- Designing and executing research studies or program evaluations
- Survey design and administration (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey)
- Translating complex data into accessible reports or presentations for non-technical audiences
- Working with both quantitative and qualitative data
- Thought partnership
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in remote, distributed team environments
- Demonstrated experience with software across a variety of data analysis tools and platforms (e.g. Excel, SPSS, R, or similar; Google Analytics, Tableau); as well as technology skills: Microsoft Office Suite, CRM (e.g. Salesforce for Nonprofits), and project management platforms (e.g. Monday.com), LMSs (e.g. Absorb, Learn Upon), Canva
- Demonstrated experience leveraging AI-enabled tools and large language models (LLMs) to support research, analysis, knowledge management, and organizational decision-making
- Demonstrated experience writing white papers, reports, and thought leadership pieces
- Entrepreneurial, with high tolerance for ambiguity and complexity, and an ability to navigate problem solving in an efficient and collaborative manner
- Collaboration: Builds strong relationships across teams; creates conditions for cross-functional teamwork and trust
- Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally across levels; provides insight and context that builds understanding
- Judgment and Confidentiality: Exercises discretion and sound decision-making; operates with integrity and diplomacy
- Operational Execution: Designs systems that support clarity, accountability, and follow-through across multiple teams and priorities
- Project and Change Management: Leads teams through complex, evolving projects with care, consistency, and attention to outcomes
- Strategic and Systems Thinking: Connects operational details to broader goals; identifies leverage points to improve performance or outcomes
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in workplace or community settings
- Curious and proactively scans the horizon to stay abreast of technology, creative approaches, and novel ideas to experiment, test, and apply
- Ability to travel as needed to Yoga Alliance's Arlington, VA office to participate in organizational meetings, training, and retreats
- Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, or equivalent)
- Familiarity with the yoga, wellness, or complementary health fields
- Understanding of strategic planning frameworks and performance indicators
Benefits
- Comprehensive health insurance plan offerings that are 100% employer paid for employees and 65% paid for dependents
- A matching 401K plan
- A generous paid-leave program including parental leave and sabbatical leave
- Reimbursement for professional development opportunities
- A casual dress code
- A supportive and collaborative organizational culture with conscious attention to body and mind health
- This position may be remote
Company Overview