Applied Research Director and Assistant Vice President Community Development & Engagement

Company

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis seeks a seasoned applied researcher to lead a talented team of economists, data scientists, and research assistants focused on understanding how low- and moderate-income individuals, households, and communities—across the 9th District and Indian Country—are faring economically. This leadership position within our Community Development and Engagement (CDE) division leads their own work and shapes the work of our applied research team to inform public policy discussions through applied research, analysis, and convenings.

Our work is currently focused on three areas: housing and home ownership, labor market policies, and Native economies through the Center for Indian Country Development (CICD). CICD is a national research and policy institute advancing our understanding of Indian Country economies through actionable data and research. The research team in CDE is responsible for shaping the research aspects of these focus areas by conducting our own applied research and analysis.

The team partners with our division’s policy and engagement functions to shed light on community conditions and contribute issue-specific expertise to inform the strategies of our initiatives. This partnership brings research and practice to informed audiences of practitioners, policy makers and other community leaders.

In this role as a senior member of the leadership team, you would:

• serve as a thought leader and shape the development of the division’s research agenda,
• manage the work of the research team and conduct your own research in alignment with our focus areas,
• contribute to the overall strategic direction of the division,
• inform senior bank leadership on economic and community development issues,
• and build external networks and partnerships with researchers and other community members.

We are looking for a big-picture thinker with the ability to advance their own aligned research and oversee quantitative, policy-relevant social science research focused on low- and moderate-income communities. Experience with original data collection—from both research design and operational perspectives is a strong plus.

Leading a team of data scientists and economists and set a research agenda that advances division objectives. Work with CDE leaders and team members to select and shepherd rigorous research in a way that maximizes potential utilization of findings that inform policy discussions and practice, promoting economic growth and stability for lower-income individuals. Provide methodological review to research and manage the overall research process, ensuring it is rigorous, objective, and consistent with econometric practices.

As part of this management, ensure that CDE research output is rooted in the larger body of evidence on a given topic.

Promote a process for clearly communicating research findings in a variety of formats. Partner with Public Affairs and CDE communications teams to maximize research impact. Effectively represent the division’s research to senior leaders both internally and externally, safeguarding the accuracy and credibility of the research, particularly in communication with non-researcher audiences including the media.

Participate in the development of division focus areas and associated goals, as well as division management policies. With other CDE leaders support the effectiveness of division operations by overseeing some administrative operations.

Provide regular briefings to senior Bank leadership on emerging issues and current policy discussions pertinent to lower-income communities. Develop broad-based knowledge pertaining to our focus areas and…