Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Research and Data
at New Roots Institute
🏢 About New Roots Institute
New Roots Institute is a unique nonprofit focused exclusively on educating people about factory farming impacts and empowering advocacy for change, operating with a clear theory of change approach. Working here offers the opportunity to directly contribute to ending factory farming through data-driven impact measurement in a mission-driven remote environment.
About This Role
As Director of Research and Data, you'll build and lead the data infrastructure to track the organization's impact in ending factory farming, translating strategic goals into technical priorities. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape how New Roots Institute measures program effectiveness and alumni impact, refining their theory of change through data insights.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing program data collection systems, meeting with program teams to align data needs with advocacy goals, and developing strategic roadmaps for research priorities. You'd likely spend time analyzing alumni impact data to refine the theory of change while managing technology platforms that support remote data collection across educational programs.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who New Roots Institute Is Looking For
- Has experience building research and data infrastructure from the ground up in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization
- Can demonstrate translating organizational goals into actionable technical priorities with measurable outcomes
- Has overseen research on program effectiveness specifically in advocacy or education contexts
- Has managed technology platforms for data collection and analysis while leading technical teams in remote settings
📝 Tips for Applying to New Roots Institute
Highlight specific experience with impact measurement in animal advocacy or factory farming-related work
Demonstrate how you've built data infrastructure in resource-constrained nonprofit environments
Show examples of translating advocacy program goals into technical priorities and metrics
Reference New Roots Institute's theory of change approach in your application materials
Emphasize experience with remote team leadership and mission-driven culture building
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your experience with impact measurement specifically for advocacy or education programs', 'Examples of building data infrastructure that supported organizational theory of change refinement', "How you've led technical teams in remote settings while maintaining mission alignment", 'Your understanding of factory farming issues and how data can drive advocacy effectiveness']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → New Roots Institute's specific programs and their stated theory of change
- → Their current impact reports and how they currently measure success
- → Their educational content about factory farming to understand their messaging approach
- → Their organizational structure and any existing research/data team members
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on corporate data experience without nonprofit/resource-constrained context
- Not demonstrating understanding of theory of change approaches in advocacy work
- Presenting generic data solutions without tailoring to factory farming/animal advocacy context
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to New Roots Institute!