The Transformations Community is hiring a Research Director
About Us: The Transformations Community is a global network of 4,000+ researchers and reflective practitioners committed to fostering transformations toward equitable, sustainable, and regenerative futures. Over the past decade, we have convened international conferences in Oslo, Stockholm, Dundee, Santiago, Sydney, Portland, Prague, and online. Our latest gathering in June 2023 drew over 700 attendees.
Position Overview: We seek a creative and insightful individual to manage and engage in our community research initiatives. This role is ideal for a talented and collaborative action-researcher with knowledge of the transformations field. Our research is grounded in transdisciplinary principles of knowledge co-production and community co-design, engaging our community in impactful research projects. This is an ongoing journey and so we are looking for someone with a passion for what we are trying to achieve who is eager to help grow and support our vision. To be a good fit for The Transformations Community, you should have excellent research, management and strategic development capabilities and thrive in a leadership role in team-based, collaborative projects.
š¦ Current Research Initiatives:
Community of Practice: Workshops and case studies to identify and spread best practices in the design and management of transformations initiatives and understand how they catalyze systems change.
Human-Centered AI: A community-led, action research initiative to develop Artificial Intelligence tools that are ethically sound, socially responsible, and aligned with our mission, and understand how AI tools are transforming our field.
Transformative Responses to the Global Coral Reef Decline: Addressing the global decline in coral reefs through a dispersed global network of researchers and practitioners. This project aims to identify effective responses to global ecosystemic threats.
š¼ Key Responsibilities:
Research:
Identify and gather background information on potential research areas.
Manage research data and assist with preparing publications.
Conduct research dissemination and outreach.
Co-write papers, articles, and coordinate ongoing special issues and other publications.
Oversee development of multiple outlets for sharing research, including conferences, a Dialogue series, newsletters, social media, and the website.
Coordinate research dissemination from the 2025 conference and other events.
Project Management:
Supervise communication between staff, advisors, and members.
Maintain systems for data organization, including project documentation and network member information.
Facilitate sub-communities of practice within the Transformations Community.
Work with contractors/consultants as needed.
Manage events calendar and member communications.
Coordinate strategic development with community leads and advisors.
Develop and grow partnerships with other organizations working on systems change.
Manage online dialogues and workshops using Zoom.
Enhance communication and capacity-building efforts, with a particular focus on supporting the global south.
Funding and Finance:
Coordinate and maintain budgets, providing ongoing oversight.
Manage and submit financial documentation.
Develop and submit proposals and reports; assist with other fund development efforts.
š«µ Essential Experience and Skills:
Work experience in the transformations field, particularly in facilitative leadership of place-based communities and communities of practice.
Ph.D. in social sciences preferred; a Masterās degree with relevant experience will also be considered.
Excellent conceptualizing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information.
Strong project management skills, resourceful and self-directed.
Ability to manage administrative details and processes.
Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate teams and manage projects with a dispersed community.
Thrives in entrepreneurial, collaborative team projects.
Fluent in English with excellent writing skills.
Familiarity with digital and analytical tools (e.g., survey tools, qualitative analysis, spreadsheets) and familiarity with emerging AI applications.
Experience in budget management and grant-writing.
About the Role:
Work directly with Bruce Goldstein, the Community of Practice lead weaver.
Supervise part-time staff.
Contribute strategic leadership to advance the Transformations Community.
Engage with academics and practitioners at the forefront of the field.
Hours and Compensation:
Full-time (40 hours per week), flexible working hours.
Work can be conducted remotely, preferably within USA time zones.
Compensation: $30-$40 per hour, depending on experience.
š© How to apply:
Please fill out the application form here - be sure to include links to your relevant research documents. We appreciate the time taken to assemble an application and will review submissions as they arrive. Interviews will be held shortly, with a view to starting within the next 30 days. Contact us today; we are excited to hear from you!
