Associate Director, Investigative Research

POSITION TITLE: Associate Director, Investigative Research

REPORTS TO: Sr. Director, Investigative Research, Center on Extremism

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Research Assistants, Embeds and Interns

LOCATION: Anywhere ADL has an office

Grade/Class: Grade G, Exempt, PSA-Eligible

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Associate Director of Investigative Research in ADL’s Center on Extremism (COE) will lead the development and execution of initiatives that support ADL’s investigative research on extremism, antisemitism, and hate. Reporting to the Senior Director of Investigative Research and working closely with COE staff and other departments across the organization, the Associate Director will coordinate and manage research operations, projects, and strategic goals. They will also serve as a key liaison between COE and other ADL teams, ensuring requests are appropriately handled. Additionally, this role will oversee a team of researchers, embedded staff, and interns, guiding their efforts to align with and advance COE’s broader mission.

Primary: 

• Collaborate on the development and implementation of operational priorities, strategies and goals.
• Lead, motivate and manage staff, providing input on personnel decisions, assigning research, and assuring expectations and deadlines are met.
• Mange and guide high impact cross-team investigative research projects. 
• Serve as primary liaison between COE and other ADL departments—including B&M, Comms Field Operations, National Affairs, Litigation, JLens, CAR, RAI, and others—managing and overseeing responses to incoming requests from these teams.
• Help identify, tract and report metrics that demonstrate COE impact and success.
• Support database management and maintenance, and work to standardize and improve archives.
• Represent ADL and deliver presentations to external audiences including donors, law enforcement and the media as needed.

Skills:  

• Excellent management, operational, communication and leadership skills.
• Excellent analytical skills; familiarity with various research and OSINT
• Ability to multi-task and act flexibly in response to changing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative settings.
• Excellent decision-making ability with a data-driven mindset
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment under pressure.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff.
• Excellent public speaking skills.
• Experience using case management software such as Notion, Salesforce, AirTable and/or similar tools.
  
• Passion to join the fight against domestic extremism and hate.

Work Experience: 

• The ideal candidate has significant years experience in an advocacy or policy-oriented research environment, managing largescale projects for multi-faceted teams
• Established familiarity with issues related to extremism, antisemitism and hate preferred.

Education:  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Advanced degree a plus.

Work Environment:  

• ADL is a hybrid environment; this role may require 3 days in the office. 

Compensation: 

• This position has a salary range of $70,000 to $107,000. This salary range is reflective of a position based in New York, New York. Please note that actual salaries are commensurate with experience and reflect the budget for a given position, and since ADL has a location-based compensation structure, there may be a different range for candidates in other locations. For an overview of our total rewards package, please visit https://www.adl.org/about/careers.

ADL aims to create a working environment where every employee can thrive professionally.  Our mission-driven work is best accomplished in an environment that supports belonging. ADL values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages people of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans to apply. ADL is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, promotions and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment shall be maintained in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or military status, or in violation of any applicable Federal, state or local laws.      

ADL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation to support the interview process, please contact the People & Culture department at talentacquisition@adl.org.      

ADL will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable State, Local, and Federal laws.   

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job, nor is it to be interpreted as a contract for employment.