Project Manager - Justice Gap & Applied Research

Basic Function

The Project Manager oversees large-scale, multi-method applied research projects within the Office of Data Governance and Analysis, including the 2027 Justice Gap study and other research and evaluation initiatives.

This role blends project management, applied research, and partner management, ensuring projects are delivered with rigor, timeliness, and clear communication. The Project Manager manages workflows across internal teams, supports research design and data collection processes, oversees vendor and consultant relationships, and ensures high-quality, actionable deliverables that advance LSC’s mission.

This is a full-time, twelve (12) month term position supporting the continued development of LSC’s Justice Gap Initiative and broader applied research portfolio. Extension beyond the initial term may be possible based on organizational needs and funding availability.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management for Large Research Initiatives

• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and milestones for major initiatives, including the Justice Gap study.
• Coordinate workflows across multiple research workstreams, including survey research, qualitative/mixed-methods, data analysis, media/storytelling, and dissemination activities.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation for cross-office alignment.

Applied Research Coordination

• Support the development, refinement, and testing of survey instruments, interview protocols, cognitive testing, sampling plans, and other research tools in partnership with ODGA researchers and consultants.
• Coordinate data cleaning and quality assurance workflows, ensuring timely transfer of datasets, documentation, and analysis-ready materials.
• Support integration of quantitative data with qualitative and narrative insights to produce accessible, compelling research outputs.

Vendor, Consultant, and Partner Management

• Serve as day-to-day liaison with vendors, contractors, academic partners, storytellers/cultural producers, and grantee collaborators.
• Oversee deliverable schedules, statement of work (SOW) adherence, and communication pathways to ensure consistency and quality.

Content Development & Dissemination

• Support the development of report components, data visualizations, story maps, multimedia products, and web content in partnership with subject matter and technical experts.
• Draft and review materials for funders, policymakers, grantees, and public audiences, balancing statistical accuracy with accessible messaging.
• Work closely with the Communications team and consultants to align messaging, media strategy, and digital storytelling.

General Competencies Required:

• Applied Research Orientation: Significant experience in survey research, mixed-methods approaches, descriptive analysis, and the translation of data into actionable insights.
• Project Management: Manages complex projects with multiple dependencies, long timelines, and diverse stakeholders.
• Communication: Writes and speaks clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences; prepares high-quality, polished materials.
• Collaboration: Builds trust and alignment across teams; supports shared problem-solving with researchers, engineers, creatives, and external partners.
• Adaptability: Acts with initiative in response to evolving needs; comfortable navigating iterative research and complex deliverables.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in documentation, version control, and deliverable review.
• Integrity & Accountability: Manages confidential data, handles sensitive issues responsibly, and follows through on commitments.

Technical Competencies Required:

• Substantial experience supporting and implementing survey research processes, including instrument development, sampling frames, cognitive testing, weighting approaches, and quality assurance protocols.
• Significant work experience with mixed-methods research workflows (interview protocols, transcription management, coding workflows, content analysis).
• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct quantitative analysis in R or comparable statistical software, including data cleaning, descriptive analysis, and preparation of analytic summaries suitable for publication and public dissemination.
• Proficiency in project management platforms (Smartsheet, Trello, Asana, or similar) and collaboration tools (SharePoint, Box).
• Experience working with or adjacent to data visualization processes (e.g., Tableau or PowerBI) is helpful.

Experience and Education Required:

• The level of expertise required for this role is typically developed through a master’s degree or Ph.D. in public policy, sociology, economics, public health, political science, law and society, or a related field, along with approximately 8+ years of post-graduate applied research experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects. However, LSC values diverse professional pathways, and equivalent combinations of education, training, and relevant experience will be considered.

Mission/Values Alignment

The Project Manager is deeply committed to advancing access to justice for low-income individuals and communities. They appreciate the importance of culturally grounded, rigorous, and transparent research. They uphold LSC’s values of inclusion, integrity, service, and continuous improvement. They contribute to LSC’s role as a national leader in civil legal aid research by supporting methodologically sound, mission-aligned, and accessible research.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary is commensurate with experience within a range of $125,000 - $133,000

LSC has a competitive market-based salary structure that establishes a specific salary range for this position which has 10 steps. A new hire is typically hired at Step 1 and receives a step increase annually. In special circumstances, LSC may authorize a new hire to start at a higher step based on a special business need or the significantly higher qualifications of the new employee. Employees hired after October 1st of any calendar year will receive their first step increase the January following their first full year of employment.

This position is eligible to participate in LSC’s excellent employee benefits program, including medical, dental and vision plans, 403(b) thrift plan, paid leave, and other employee benefits.

Application Procedure:

A cover letter and résumé must be included. To have your application considered, please answer all application questions and provide all requested information.

Note: If you need an accommodation during the application process, please notify OHR at jobapplicant@lsc.gov.

LSC is an equal opportunity employer.