Vice President Research Development Jobs in Reston, VA

About the Role

The Vice President, Research & Evidence provides strategic leadership and oversight across FHI 360's global research enterprise, advancing highquality, ethical, and impactful research aligned with organizational priorities and mission. This role builds and sustains a highperforming research ecosystem-delivering technical excellence today while strengthening future capabilities, expanding markets, and developing research leadership for long-term impact.

This is a senior leadership role with enterprise-wide influence, responsibility for strategic direction, and accountability for financial and technical performance across complex global research initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Impact

• Lead the enterprise research strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, market opportunities, and emerging global research needs.

• Champion innovation, adaptive research models, and new methodologies that expand relevance, quality, and impact.

• Set and uphold high standards for research rigor, ethics, integrity, and compliance across all portfolios.

Research Oversight & Risk Management

• Provide oversight of complex, global research initiatives to ensure strong technical quality, ethical compliance, and financial stewardship.

• Serve as the escalation point for risks, including safeguarding and protocol violations, ensuring timely mitigation and resolution.

• Ensure research decisions reflect local contexts and ethical considerations in diverse implementation environments.

Partnerships & Resource Mobilization

• Lead high-level relationships with funders, sponsors, and partners, shaping positioning and investment decisions in partnership with Strategy and Resource Mobilization (SRM).

• Identify priority research opportunities and strategic partnerships to support growth and market leadership.

• Cultivate collaborative relationships with academic institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders to advance research utilization.

People Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Build and sustain a strong leadership culture that emphasizes empowerment, accountability, innovation, and crossportfolio collaboration.

• Lead and support Senior Directors in growing research portfolios, leaders, and emerging technical areas.

• Foster continuous learning, professional development, and performance excellence across the Research & Evidence workforce.

CrossOrganizational Collaboration

• Partner across Programs and Research Group (PRG), Global Operations and Services (GOS), Strategy and Resource Mobilization (SRM), enterprise services, and regional teams to advance organizational objectives.

• Support consistent standards, governance, and collaboration with global research operations and services teams.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's degree (or international equivalent) in International Development, Public Health, Research, Education, Economics, Environment, Nutrition, Technology, or a related field.

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience leading complex national or international research portfolios with at least 9 years of senior leadership and line management experience overseeing complex research or program portfolios.

• Demonstrated expertise in research design, ethical standards, compliance, and risk management.

• Strong strategic leadership, change management, and relationshipbuilding skills.

• Significant experience working within nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Preferred

• Doctorate degree.

• Experience with US Government, private sector, and philanthropic donors.

• Relevant certifications in research management or organizational leadership.

Travel

• Approximately 25% domestic and international travel may be required.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to shape the future of global research and evidence generation at scale-leading impactful work that informs policy, strengthens programs, and improves lives worldwide. You'll join a mission driven organization committed to innovation, equity, ethical practice, and meaningful global impact.

The expected US-based hiring salary range for this role is listed below. FHI 360 pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, business sector, and budget.

Base salary is only one component of our offer. FHI 360 contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. Additionally, all US based staff working full-time, which is calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule.

US-Based Hiring Salary Range: USD 185,000 - 210,000 annually

International hiring ranges differ based on location

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants' previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant's tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through acompetitive benefits package, professional developmentand policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others - and yourself.

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