Senior Research Operations Manager in Seattle, Washington at foundry10

foundry10 is an education research organization with a philanthropic focus on expanding ideas about learning and creating direct value for youth. In collaboration with a wide range of partners, we surface, evaluate, and share opportunities to better support youth learning both inside and outside the classroom. Building on more than a decade of impactful work, our unique approach blends applied and experimental research, philanthropy, and education programs rooted in evidence-based best practices.

Summary of Role

foundry10 is seeking a skilled and collaborative Senior Research Operations Manager. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership skills, deep experience with research operations, excellent management skills, and a passion for applied educational research. This is a hands-on role that combines team management, strategy, and operations, and will play a key role in the operational success of the research team.

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $149,100 to $248,500, reporting to the Research Director.

Responsibilities

• Support the Research Director in developing and refining the team’s vision, long-term planning, and research priorities
• Manage the Research Systems Manager and ensure monitoring systems for work and team tools are being appropriately created and maintained
• Facilitate team meetings and retreats as needed in support of the Research Director
• Monitor and support the progress of research projects and team goals set by the Director (i.e., OKRs)
• Manage operational needs for the research space
• Ultimately accountable for creating and maintaining team project management systems
• Ultimately accountable for all vendor relationships
• Creating and managing new and existing systems that internally support Research pillar
• Manage existing hand-off points with other internal departments and teams
• Work with our Program pillar to ensure that research projects that involve a youth program without a youth Program Developer have appropriate risk and safety considerations.

• Manage PhD-level researchers with a variety of expertise, including psychology, economics, cognitive science, and machine learning, among others
• May manage other research support roles as assigned
• Work with members of the research pillar to ensure that they are prepared to effectively complete research with complex operational needs
  

Research Contributions

• Participate as a support team member in research projects that are aligned with candidate’s areas of expertise, especially when there are complex operational needs
  

This is not an exhaustive list, other duties may be assigned as necessary.

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, education, public health, statistics, data science) or commensurate experience
• 5–8+ years of research experience
• 2+ years experience managing a team in a matrixed organization
• 2 years experience creating and maintaining research project management systems, preferred
• Strong understanding of mixed methods and ethical research practices
• Experience managing complex research timelines and communicating with diverse stakeholders
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience in applied research is a plus
• Strong background in research ethics, particularly research ethics involving children and adolescents
• Experience with youth program development and supporting youth risk and safety procedures

This is not a remote position. Candidates must live in Washington State and be able to work in person in the greater Seattle area as needed. We cannot sponsor visa applications, and to be considered for this position, you must be eligible to work in the United States. To protect our staff, partners, and the youth we serve, we require all foundry10 employees to adhere to our masking and COVID testing policies when working in person.

To be considered for the position, please submit your resume and a cover letter indicating how your professional experience and qualifications align with the role. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed. The deadline is 5 pm, June 14, 2026, and we will accept applications on a rolling basis if needed after this date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

The interview process will consist of the following steps:

Step 1: Zoom audio interview (1 hour)

Step 2: Zoom video interview with research team members (1.5 hours)

Step 3: If needed, Zoom video interview with org leadership (30 to 45 mins)

foundry10 offers a competitive salary and benefits that include:

• A 4-day workweek
• A flexible and hybrid work schedule
• Full Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees and their dependents
• $1,500 yearly education stipend
• $3,000 yearly wellness and hobby stipend, before taxes
• Generous paid time off that includes:
  • 4 weeks of vacation time annually and additional accrual with tenure
  • 12 paid holidays
  • 56 hours of paid sick and safe leave frontloaded annually
  • Week-long office closures twice a year - each summer and winter
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance paid fully by foundry10

Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs. foundry10 strives to provide a work environment free from discrimination and harassment because of a protected characteristic. The organization does not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, creed, citizenship, status, national origin, ancestry, gender, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, religion, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to assist individuals with disabilities with the application and interviewing process as well as essential job functions.