Manager, Research & Insights
At Canadian Women & Sport, our technology team plays a critical role in enabling data-driven decision-making, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations, and supporting programs, fundraising, and organizational operations. By maintaining strong systems and integrations, this role ensures our staff have the tools and information they need to drive measurable impact for women and girls in sport.
POSITION SUMMARY
We are hiring a Manager, Research & Insights to serve as a key architect of our evidence and learning strategy. This is a highly strategic, applied research role that combines rigorous research design and execution with insight generation, knowledge mobilization, and cross-sector influence.
We are looking for a rare combination: a strategic thinker and a hands-on doer. Someone who can step back to see the big picture, identify patterns and opportunities, and turn complex information into clear insights- while also diving into the work itself. This role moves fluidly between shaping research strategy, analyzing data, writing and delivering reports, and working closely with partners and stakeholders. If you enjoy moving between strategy and execution and care deeply about turning insight into impact, this role is for you.
Reporting to the Director, Programs & Insights, the Manager, Research & Insights will lead the design and delivery of high-quality research and evaluation initiatives, including signature products such as the Rally Report. The role will also strengthen organizational monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems, ensuring that insights are embedded into decision-making across programs, advocacy, and strategy.
The successful candidate will bring strong applied research expertise, experience leading complex mixed-methods projects, and a track record of translating data into compelling, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Research Design (25%)
- Design and execute research and evaluation initiatives aligned with organizational strategy and sector priorities.
- Lead the development of research frameworks, methodologies, and work plans to ensure rigour, relevance, and impact.
- Determine appropriate quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches and ensure methodological integrity.
- Lead the design and delivery of signature research products, ensuring they remain credible, influential, and sector-relevant.
- Manage research assistants, consultants, and advisory contributors to deliver high-quality outputs.
Research Execution & Analysis (25%)
- Lead data collection activities including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and secondary data analysis.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify patterns, trends, and actionable insights.
- Ensure data quality, integrity, and methodological validity across all research initiatives.
- Interpret complex datasets and synthesize findings into clear, usable insights for decision-making.
Insights Generation & Knowledge Mobilization (25%)
- Hold the pen” on research outputs including reports, briefs, presentations, and knowledge products.
- Translate research findings into actionable insights that inform strategy, programs, and advocacy.
- Develop compelling narratives that communicate evidence to diverse audiences including funders, partners, and sector stakeholders.
- Collaborate with communications and program teams to ensure insights are accessible, engaging, and impactful.
- Present research findings to internal and external audiences, including senior leaders and sector partners.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Organizational Learning (15%)
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of the organization’s impact measurement and MEL frameworks.
- Embed monitoring and evaluation practices across programs and initiatives.
- Support teams in designing data collection tools and measurement plans.
- Build internal capacity for impact measurement through tools, guidance, and training.
- Foster organizational learning by ensuring insights are shared and applied across teams.
Research Partnerships, Resources & Sector Engagement (10%)
- Manage external research partners, consultants, and academic collaborators.
- Develop scopes of work, oversee deliverables, and ensure quality, timelines, and budget alignment.
- Support research budgeting and cost estimation for projects and proposals.
- Build and maintain a network of research and evaluation partners to strengthen organizational capacity.
- Represent the organization at conferences, forums, and sector events to share insights and contribute to thought leadership.
- Engage advisory committees and support governance structures such as the Impact Research Committee.
KEY OUTCOMES OF SUCCESS
- High-quality research and evaluation initiatives are delivered on time and strengthen the organization’s credibility and influence in the sport sector.
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning practices are embedded across programs, enabling continuous improvement and accountability.
- Complex research findings are translated into clear, actionable insights that inform strategy, advocacy, and program design.
- Knowledge products effectively mobilize evidence and increase awareness, understanding, and action among partners, funders, and the sport sector.
- The organization’s use of data and insights strengthens cross-functional decision-making and strategic alignment.
- DEIB principles are consistently embedded across research design, analysis, and dissemination to ensure inclusive and equitable outcomes.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in social sciences, research methods, evaluation, statistics, sport management, or related field (PhD considered an asset).
- 5–7 years of experience in applied research, evaluation, insights, or similar roles in nonprofit, consulting, academic, or public sector environments.
- Demonstrated experience designing and leading mixed-methods research projects.
- Experience managing research projects end-to-end, including timelines, budgets, and external partners.
- Proven ability to translate research findings into actionable insights, reports, and strategic recommendations.
- Experience developing and presenting research outputs to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
- Experience with data analysis (quantitative and qualitative) and research synthesis.
- Experience contributing to or leading impact measurement or evaluation frameworks.
Strong assets:
- Experience in sport, gender equity, public policy, or social impact sectors.
- Experience managing external research vendors, consultants, or academic partners.
- Experience supporting funding proposals, research budgets, or partnership development.
- Familiarity with MEL systems and organizational learning frameworks.
- Bilingualism (English & French).
DETAILS
This is a full-time, permanent, remote position with flexible working hours (core hours typically aligned to 9am–5pm ET, with flexibility across time zones as needed). Some evening or weekend work may be required in support of program delivery and sector engagement.
The role may require occasional travel within Canada for team gatherings, partner engagement, and events (approximately 2–3 times per year).
Salary range: $80,000–$85,000 plus a comprehensive total rewards package, including health and dental benefits, flexible Fridays, paid birthday leave, personal days, and additional wellness support. Starting salary will be determined based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity considerations.
SUBMITTING YOUR INTEREST
We prioritize equitable opportunities for all applicants and actively encourage those who identify as equity-deserving, underrepresented, marginalized, and/or oppressed to apply. This includes, but is not limited to, those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, disabled people, and women, or those who may experience discrimination based on race, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, or disability.
Self-identification is completely voluntary.
Accessibility is important to us. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability and require accommodation at any stage of the process, please contact us at info@womenandsport.ca. Accommodations are available upon request for all aspects of the selection process.
Deadline to apply is end of day July 19, 2026. Candidates should submit their cover letter and resume to the attention of Stephanie Talsma, Director of Programs.
ABOUT CANADIAN WOMEN & SPORT
Sport truly is a powerful tool for social change. By empowering women and girls within and through sport, we can transform our sport system and our society for the better. We are dedicated to creating awareness for gender equity and driving systems change for women and girls in sports across Canada. With over 40+ years of expertise, we are the trusted source of information for a diverse group of stakeholders (federal & provincial governments, public & private organizations, educational, news and sports entities). We are industry leaders and a hub for community collaboration with a database of 12,000+ sports leaders across Canada. We have a social followership of 35,000+ sports enthusiasts representing all Canadian regions. Together we lead high impact gender equity work with precision and excellence.
Our Vision: A Canada where every woman and girl thrives in and through sport.
Our Mission: Building a sport system that includes and empowers all girls and women.
Our Values:
· We lead with courage and curiosity
· We act as one team
· We drive equity forward
· We choose progress over perfection
· We infuse joy in the journey