The Senior Program Researcher (SPR) for the Program and Innovation Office leads internal/external program-centered research that informs the vision, strategy, and execution of the CDC Foundation strategic imperatives and programmatic portfolio. The SPR serves a strategic function, translating experience and knowledge gained from assessment and analyses of the programmatic portfolio into comprehensive intelligence for CDC Foundation leadership to advance the organizational strategic imperatives. The SPR combines strong partnership skills, management and leadership with an entrepreneurial and mission-driven approach to unleash the power of collaboration between philanthropies, private entities, and governmental public health and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of the public.
This position is based in Atlanta, GA, with an expectation to have a presence in the office several days a week. Relocation expenses are not provided.
Salary: 88k-98k
Contract End Date: June 30, 2026
Duties and Responsibilities
- Leads the coordinated management of program-centered research such as analyses of the influence and structure of program partnerships, identification of key subject matter experts and senior fellows to support implementation of the strategic imperatives, literature reviews and related briefings, and synthesis of programmatic and related information across diverse internal and external data sources.
- Formulates program research goals, objectives, operating policies, strategic plans, guidelines, governance, standards and priorities to ensure consistency with organizational strategic imperatives and Program and Innovation Office objectives.
- Builds strong partnerships and provides evidence-based expertise that informs development of vision, strategy, and implementation plans for the CDC Foundation strategic imperatives.
- Hires, recruits, supervises, and mentors program researchers and other staff.
- Serves as a technical partner for the CDC Foundation leadership and sponsors for strategic imperatives.
- Serves as a research liaison for and between internal and external stakeholders.
- Manages significant matters such as project design and implementation, reporting, contracting, development of materials and technical content, and relationship development and management.
- Contributes to resource mobilization efforts for the assigned project.
- Represents the CDC Foundation at technical, strategic and/or operational meetings focused on the project.
- Travels as needed to represent the designated project and the CDC Foundation (up to 20 percent annually).
- Participates in and/or leads special projects and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Necessary Skills
- Master’s degree in public health or related field from an accredited college or university required.
- Minimum of 10 years of public health and related professional experience required with direct experience in program analyses/research and working alongside senior leadership strongly preferred.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning systems and software packages used to manage day-to-day business activities such as program and partnership management strongly preferred.
- Knowledge and skills needed to be effective in the public-private partnership, organization, program, donor, and partner environments in the public health context.
- Ability to make decisions that accomplish organizational and Program and Innovation Office objectives.
- Advanced skills in program management, research methods and frameworks, cross-cultural awareness, communication, influence, negotiation, conflict resolution and creative problem solving.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing, writing and editing complex documents such as detailed reports on public health topics; briefing documents for CDC Foundation leadership, donors, and other partners; and peer-reviewed articles.
- Strong technical skills including data visualization, data analyses, word processing, spreadsheet and database management.
- Ability to represent the CDC Foundation and its partners, leading discussions and negotiations concerning program research and strategic imperatives.
- Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, donors, stakeholders and partners.
- Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in working with individuals at all levels both internally and externally.
About the CDC Foundation
- The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $2.2 billion and launched more than 1,400 programs impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of programs in the United States and in nearly 80 countries last year. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law.
We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.
The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.
Relocation expenses are not included.
