Research and Innovation Operations Manager

Background

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is committed to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Our mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community, and champion scientific integrity. Our vision is a world built on science.

There are two major operating locations with approximately 1,850 employees. In addition, the ACS has a representative foreign office in China and several field representatives throughout Europe and Asia who promote the use of ACS programs, products, and services. A dozen field offices in the United States and abroad also serve as news gathering centers for Chemical & Engineering News, the monthly ACS magazine. Global operations are managed through ACSI, Ltd. The Society's annual operating revenue is approximately $800M.

The Society's membership is composed of individuals of widely diversified interests and objectives, ranging from undergraduate students in the chemical sciences to the highly experienced chemical professionals in industry, academia, government and elsewhere. The Society has over 180 local sections and over thirty technical divisions as well as student chapters and international chapters.

Position Summary

Under the Society's Business Strategy and Operations (BSO) unit, the Research and Innovation (R&I) department serves as stewards of the Society's research and innovation efforts across functional areas such as Membership, Education and Career Development, Science, Research & Sustainability, and Meetings & Expositions, among others. The R&I department advises on defining what we want to learn or solve; gathers relevant data from internal systems, new research, or external sources; and uses qualitative and quantitative data analysis to generate insights that drive and validate decisions and identify trends. The department also leads the Society Units' innovation governance, strategy, and implementation.

Reporting to the R&I Director, the R&I Operations Manager will support research and innovation management and initiatives. This role will ensure smooth operations across research activities, knowledge management, and communications. The Operations Manager will manage access to platforms, assist with recruitment for surveys and interviews, provide editorial support, and lead efforts to centralize and share insights through the upcoming "Insights Hub." By fostering collaboration and reducing silos, this position will help improve organizational decision-making. The Operations Manager will also work closely with the R&I Director to design and manage department strategy, work plans, and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain user access to research and innovation platforms, ensuring compliance and smooth functionality.
• Coordinate recruitment efforts for surveys, interviews, and other research activities, including outreach and scheduling.
• Provide editorial review and quality assurance for research outputs, reports, and communications materials.
• Design and manage the "Insights Hub" to centralize research findings, ensuring accessibility and reducing information silos.
• Develop and implement communication plans to share research insights across the organization.
• Collaborate with the R&I Director to design, monitor, and update department strategies and work plans, and organize department meetings to ensure timely follow-up on action items.
• Maintain communication with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and timely updates on research initiatives.
• Track progress on initiatives, prepare status reports, and maintain accurate documentation for decision-making and accountability.
• Identify and implement operational efficiencies to enhance R&I workflows.

This role is based in our Washington, D.C. office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $84,000-$105,000 per year.

ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.

Bachelors (required)

Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities. (required)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including editorial review and content development. (required)
Proficiency in knowledge management systems and collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, or similar). (required)
Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities; ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment; and strong stakeholder engagement and follow-up skills. (required)
Prior experience supporting research and innovation initiatives in a nonprofit, academic, or corporate setting. (preferred)
Experience designing and managing knowledge-sharing platforms or hubs. (preferred)
Familiarity with survey tools and participant recruitment strategies. (preferred)
Understanding of research methodologies and data collection processes. (preferred)
Experience developing communication strategies for research dissemination. (preferred)
Comfortable with change management and fostering cross-team collaboration. (preferred)