At the American Cancer Society, we're working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Our employees and 1.3 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We are a culture comprised of diverse backgrounds and experience, to better serve our communities. 

The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

The Director, Strategic Insights is responsible for delivering human centered data-driven insights that shape events, philanthropy, and volunteerism to help drive awareness, engagement, brand love and retention. This leader translates ACS’s strategic goals into actionable research plans, focusing on events, stewardship, and volunteerism. The Director partners with business owners and cross-functional teams to ensure that the insights are at the center of decision-making, fostering innovation and continuous improvement across the organization.

***This is a remote position***

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Conduct Research & Drive Business Outcomes (40%)

• Lead research initiatives that inform ACS’s brand strategy and mission impact.
• Conduct research and translate data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations that drive measurable business outcomes.
• Track, report, and communicate the impact of insights on organizational performance, ensuring insights are not only delivered but acted upon.
• Conduct annual macro-level analysis to identify opportunities, share wins, and increase engagement across ACS programs.
• Translates complex data into impactful visualizations and compelling stories that inspire action and outcomes.
• Integrate quantitative, qualitative, and AI-powered data sources to generate holistic insights that drive business outcomes. 
• Conduct macro-level analysis to identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities for ACS’s brand and mission.
• Develop and maintain measurement frameworks and KPIs that link brand and mission insights to organizational outcomes.

Drive Strategic Consultation & Communication (20%)

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to business owners, translating challenges into research requirements.
• Come alongside senior leaders and proactively identify research needs to ensure business decisions are grounded in deep human-centered understanding.

Conduct Creative and Messaging Effectiveness Research (20%)

• Lead research initiatives to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, advertising, and messaging.
• Provide actionable insights to inspire creative direction and optimize performance through pre-and post-campaign analysis. 
• Help humanize strategies and creative briefs by grounding them in deep consumer insights and emotional connections.

Enhance Executive-Level Communication & Influence (10%)

• Translate complex data and analysis into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates strategic influence and partnership enablement by building trusting relationships, aligning stakeholders, and driving enterprise-wide collaboration to achieve organizational goals.
• Communicate insights and recommendations to senior leaders, inspiring action and change.

Lead Development Insights Strategy, Measurement, and Continuous Improvement (10%)

• Develop and maintain measurement frameworks and KPIs that directly link insights to business results.
• Design and execute immersive research experiences (e.g., ethnographic studies, co-creation events) to deepen understanding of mission audiences.
• Continuously advance professional expertise by staying current with emerging trends, methodologies, and technologies in the insights field; proactively conduct research-on-research to experiment, test, and learn with innovative approaches that drive organizational impact.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor's Degree

• Preferred Degree: Master’s degree in marketing research, Psychology, Decision Science
• Years of experience: 7 years successful experience in hands-on marketing research and data analysis experience, and 5 years of leading cross-functional initiatives/teams.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Exceptional analytical, qualitative, quantitative, and problem-solving skills; able to synthesize complex data into clear, compelling narratives and inspire innovative solutions.
• Robust In-depth hands-on experience of market research techniques (focus groups, IDIs, online surveys, etc.), survey design, sampling plans, analysis, discussion guide creation, qual and quant research data analysis, data visualization.
• Excellent critical thinking skills. Proven experience in synthesizing insights, influencing action at multiple levels.
• Excellent ability to translate analytic results and data into key findings relevant to multiple different internal audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build consensus across all levels of the organization, with impeccable interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Strategic mindset with the courage to challenge assumptions, drive change, provide strategic direction, and delegate responsibilities to ensure alignment with enterprise priorities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to lead multiple initiatives, organize, prioritize, schedule, and delegate work effectively.
• Ensures accountability by holding self and others accountable to meet commitments and deliver work on time and on budget.
• An effective, versatile, action-oriented individual with the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment
• Strong collaboration skills, working effectively up, down, and across levels and the organization.
• Strong attention to detail and quality control.
• Strong intellectual curiosity and a relentless drive to challenge assumptions, explore emerging trends, and uncover deeper insights. 
• Strong history of mentoring and coaching junior researchers.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires travel by air or car when necessary.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.   
• No or very limited physical effort required.   
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk. 

The starting rate is $91,500 to $110,000 annual. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits. We are a proud equal opportunity employer.