Research Manager, Impact

Title:  Research Manager, Impact

Reports to: Chief Innovation Officer

Position Type: Full Time

Compensation:  $75,000 - $95,000

Location: U.S. based, remote

Benefits: 100% premiums covered by SJN for medical insurance, access to dental and vision insurance, 20 days paid vacation, 3 floating personal days, 6 sick days, 8 paid holidays, the last week of December off, work schedule flexibility and a remote work stipend.

Timeline:

Application deadline: May 19, 2025

Application review: May 26, 2025 – May 30, 2025

Hiring committee Interviews: Jun 2, 2025 – Jun 11, 2025 

Potential Start date: Jul 1, 2025

Background:

The Solutions Journalism Network (SJN), a U.S.-based nonprofit with international reach, is leading a global shift in how people understand and shape the world by focusing reporting on responses to problems and what we can learn from their successes and failures. Research shows that when news reveals what’s working (or promising), it elevates the tone of public discourse, making it less divisive and more constructive, allows communities to see better options, and builds agency and hope. This leads to meaningful change. Key elements of solutions journalism include: interrogating a response and how it works, showing evidence of effectiveness, discussing limitations, and surfacing insights to spur innovation. 

Over 47,000 journalists have been trained and are using SJN’s tools, in 40 countries. SJN’s searchable database, the Solutions Story Tracker, has a selection of solutions stories from 1,900 news organizations in 89 countries.

The Solutions Insights Lab, is a client-focused research initiative of the Solutions Journalism Network. The Lab’s work combines the investigative power of solutions journalism with the research discipline of the social sciences to map systemic challenges, identify critical gaps, and surface valuable insights about emerging responses. Through in-depth interviews, we collect knowledge from across networks and sector ecosystems—with a constant focus on what’s working and what’s not—to speed the spread of effective innovations to philanthropists, policymakers, and change agents who need them most. Then we publish a searchable database of interviews and insights custom-built for client needs. The Insights Lab works quickly and nimbly, and our effort is guided by an independent perspective: What we find will be surprising and challenging to existing narratives. 

Role Purpose:

Co-design and coordinate sustainable tracking and research infrastructures that support SJN, the Solutions Insights Lab, and their network partners to tell a story of impact, which can be used in reports for funders and other key audiences. Apply simple yet rigorous metrics and qualitative analyses to gather data on activities produced by SJN or the Solutions Insights Lab’s clients, and assess their outcomes and impact on the organizations and more broadly on their related field. Contribute to the analysis of this data and synthesize insights using established social science research methods. 

• The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work with the Research Manager to design processes and research frameworks to measure SJNs programs and progress towards its goals/mission.
• Engage with colleagues and teams across SJN to understand the potential impact of their work.
• Develop original research taxonomies created based on the needs of clients, original research, and the trends and patterns that emerge through qualitative analysis of Solutions Insights Lab and SJN interviews.
• Support programmatic and development team efforts with highlights and “greatest hits” of impact wins. 
• Keep up to date on current research and trends in the field of international development, social innovation and systems change, and apply that knowledge to work with the Solutions Insights Lab.
• Carry out the research based on principles of social science research rigor, though the degree of rigor can vary depending on SJN’s needs. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Tracking high-level quantitative dataConducting longitudinal analyses with people who previously participated in programs, initiatives, and trainings.

• Developing strong narratives about specific instances of the impact SJN has as an organization on the field of journalism, communities, newsrooms, and journalists individually.
• Developing strong narratives about the impact Solutions Insights Lab’s clients have within their sector and on the social problem they seek to address.
• Track, make sense of, and communicate academic research on solutions journalism.

• Work with the Research Manager to design sound methodological tools and operationalize metrics for evaluation (i.e., surveys, interviews, etc) of SJN’s impact towards the sustained practice and spread of solutions journalism. 
• Build resources to help network partners design and implement impact tracking strategies, with a focus on their solutions journalism. These should also be made available and explained to colleagues for integration in their work.
• Co-create and monitor mechanisms for users to share feedback about the relevancy of network activity programs and SJN’s products, and whether they are meeting user needs.
• Create mechanisms to track, verify, and communicate evidence of solutions journalism—the network spread of solutions journalism—that SJN was not directly involved with.Serve as liaison connecting the Story Tracker data to impact and measure SJNs goals.
• Organize SJN slack and email announcements to optimize for development and programmatic needsDirect impact stories and narratives across various platforms (web, social media, newsletters). 
• Direct and manage external consultants as needed for impact tracking.
• Direct and manage impact tracking of the Solutions Insights Lab’s work.

• Support the Research Manager in analyzing interviews to surface patterns, insights and opportunities for further inquiries. Apply social science research principles – including both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques – to generate original findings.
• Use qualitative analysis software, like atlas.ti or dedoose, to tag and analyze interviewsAnalyze and present the data and create strategic narratives with the results.
• Contribute to creative ways to present research findings and insights.
• Write up research findings for internal and external purposes.

• Research & Analytical Skills: Ability to gather, interpret, and synthesize complex information from multiple sources. Generating insights from findings to inform strategic decision-making.
• Qualitative Data Analysis: Experience designing and analyzing qualitative research, including developing interview guides, conducting thematic analysis, and interpreting findings by distilling insights. 
• Data Management and Organization: Comfort designing and managing large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data in clear organizational systems, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and ease of use across team members for tracking, storing, and retrieving data efficiently. Familiarity with databases, spreadsheets, and data management tools is essential.
• Excellent Written and Oral Communication Skills: Ability to write clear, concise, and compelling research reports, policy briefs, and presentations for diverse audiences (including academics, practitioners, and donors).

• Background in social change, social entrepreneurship, and/or international developmentBackground in the journalism and media industry ideally incorporating a solutions journalism approach.
• Experience communicating social impact through storytelling or narrative.
• Experience with collaborative research design involving multiple stakeholders or network partners.
• Fluency in a second languageAn advanced degree in the social sciences with training in research methodsFamiliarity with Atlas.ti, Dedoose or another qualitative analysis software.

Does this sound like your calling? We hope so: We’re an energetic, ambitious, and fun bunch, and we want great people to join us.

Equity, Justice, Diversity and Inclusion at SJN means a workplace where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. Diversity of perspective, identity, and experience is important to us.  We want to reflect and serve the whole of society. As a result, we encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to seek employment, and we make all employment decisions without regard to race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factors protected by federal, state or local law. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Eva Blanc, eva@solutionsjournalism.org

SJN Application & Hiring Process FAQ

Q: Where’s the best place to learn more about the Solutions Journalism Network and the work that you do?

A: Start with this “brief but spectacular” video made for PBS and featuring David Bornstein, one of SJN’s co-founders. Check out the SJN website, new research on how audiences respond to solutions journalism, our most recent survey of our newsroom partners and this study on how solutions journalism can lead to increased revenue. 

Q: Where do I submit my cover letter?

A: The SJN application does not include a cover letter. Instead, we ask a series of questions that we hope will provide the opportunity for you to share your thoughts. All applicants respond to the same questions, which removes the guesswork of a cover letter and enables you to focus on the things we’re most interested in knowing about your qualifications for this role. (note: after the application questions, you will see a final box that says "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION" and the preview text says "add a cover letter or anything else you want to share”. Please do not upload a cover letter here.

Q: What happens after I submit my application?

A: Once the application period closes, a team of SJN staffers will review all of the applications and contact candidates who move to the next stage of the process, which will include 1-2 rounds of interviews and, possibly, an additional (brief) assignment.