Head of Research
: Job Details :

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Direct message the job poster from VoteSmart

Vote Smart is hiring a Head of Research

Are you ready to lead research in a fast-evolving, mission-driven organization that's starting to integrate AI and machine learning into its core work?

Vote Smart is a national nonprofit that provides factual, nonpartisan information to help voters make informed decisions. We're committed to transparency, accountability, and unbiased data—and now, we're beginning to enhance our workflows with AI/ML tools to increase scale, speed, and precision.

We're looking for a Head of Research to lead a team of analysts and help shape the future of how we gather, verify, and deliver political information. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in both managing people and driving change through smart, responsible technology adoption.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage Vote Smart's research team and projects.
• Oversee accuracy, timeliness, and objectivity of all political data and issue-based research.
• Collaborate with the product and engineering teams to incorporate AI/ML systems into workflows.
• Define and maintain quality controls, human oversight protocols, and data accuracy guardrails for automated systems.
• Work cross-functionally to improve research tools, methods, and processes.

Ideal Background:

• Proven experience managing research or data teams.
• Strong project management, communication, and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools and/or data science workflows is a major plus.
• Experience with SQL, Python, or R preferred.
• Comfortable working independently in a hybrid or remote environment.

Why Join:

• Be part of a small, mission-aligned team committed to nonpartisan civic transparency.
• Help shape how AI is responsibly implemented in civic tech.

Seniority level

• Seniority levelDirector

Employment type

• Employment typeFull-time

Job function

• Job functionResearch, Analyst, and Information Technology
• IndustriesPolitical Organizations

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