Director, Data Insights & Applied Research

Scope and Summary

of Primary Responsibilities

The Director, Data Insights & Applied Research is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and senior strategic leader reporting directly to the CEO. The position provides enterprise leadership and is responsible for leveraging data, insights, and applied research to drive evidence-informed decision-making, enhance client experience, and advance Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada’s (VLRC) position as a national center of excellence in vision rehabilitation and habilitation.

This role provides strategic guidance to the organization by turning complex data and research into actionable insights, shaping the delivery of services, policies, and innovations that directly impact client outcomes. The role is accountable for measurable client impact and service excellence, enabled by data and research. The Executive Director, Insights and Applied Research is a visible, influential partner to the Executive Leadership Team, Board committees, and operational leaders, ensuring that organizational priorities are informed by rigorous analysis, applied research, and client-centered evidence.

II. Essential Functions

1. Strategic Data & Insights Leadership

•Lead the development and deployment of enterprise-wide data and analytics strategies to inform strategic planning, operational decision-making, and performance improvement.

• Translate complex quantitative and qualitative information into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership, Board committees, and operational teams.

• Design and oversee integrated measurement frameworks, dashboards, and reporting that track impact, client outcomes, and service quality.

• Identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies, predictive analytics, and innovative service models to enhance organizational effectiveness.

2. Applied Research & Evidence-Informed Practice

• Lead applied research initiatives that strengthen VLRC’s evidence base, enhance client outcomes, and support innovation in rehabilitation and health services.

• Identifying priority research questions that emerge directly from VLRC services, clients, and system partners

• Using service, outcome, and experience data to test what works, for whom, and under what conditions in vision rehabilitation

• Partnering with academic institutions, health systems, and funders to co-produce applied research aligned with VLRC’s mission

• Translating findings into actionable insights that inform service design, workforce models, quality improvement, and innovation

• Building credible evidence to support government relations, contract renewals, funding advocacy, and national policy initiatives

• Oversight of the evaluation of service, interventions, and technologies to ensure measurable, sustainable impact and continuous organizational learning.

3. Client Experience & Service Excellence Insights

• Partner with operational and client-facing teams to embed data-driven and research-informed approaches into service design and delivery.

• Use client feedback, journey mapping, and outcome metrics to identify opportunities for service improvement, accessibility, and equity.

• Provide evidence and insights to support strategic initiatives that advance client-centered care across the organization.

4. Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead a high-performing multidisciplinary team responsible for analytics and evaluation.

• Build organizational capability in data literacy, evidence-informed practice, and research application.

• Develop standardized methodologies, tools, and quality measures to ensure consistent, reliable insights and program evaluation.

• Manage the departmental budget strategically to maximize impact and align resources with organizational priorities.

5. Organizational Influence & Governance Support

• Act as a trusted advisor and collaborator to the CEO, ELT, and Board committees, providing data-driven guidance on organizational strategy, client experience, and research initiatives.

• Champion a culture of evidence-informed decision-making across VLRC, ensuring research insights influence policies, programs, and operational excellence.

• Prepare and present high-impact reports, analyses, and recommendations to the ELT, Board, including the Board and committee

• Serve as an internal advocate for accessibility, equity, ethical research practices, and client-centered outcomes.

Requirements

III. Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree or PhD in Rehabilitation Science, Health Services Research, Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, Data Science, or a related field.

• Deep expertise in research methodology, program evaluation, and evidence-informed practice.

Professional Experience

• Senior leadership experience (5+ years) in data analytics, applied research, evaluation, quality, or client experience within complex organizations (healthcare, non-profit, or public sector).

• Demonstrated ability to translate research and data into strategic guidance and organizational impact.

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, including setting strategic direction, building capability, driving accountability, and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.

• Proven success leading applied research or evaluation initiatives in partnership with academic or sector organizations.

• Expertise in quantitative and qualitative analysis, performance measurement, and reporting to senior leadership or governance bodies.

• Experience influencing organizational culture and driving change through evidence-based insights.

• Knowledge of accessibility, equity, and Canadian rehabilitation or healthcare standards.

• Experience managing budgets and leading high-performing teams.

Benefits

Benefits

At VLRC, your work has real impact. Join a team that empowers Canadians with vision loss to live independently, and where your growth, well-being, and contributions matter. We offer:

• Comprehensive benefits for health, vision, dental, corporate discounts employee and family assistance program
• Flexible work arrangements, generous paid time off, and work-life balance initiatives
• Career development through training, mentorship, and advancement opportunities
• Inclusive work culture with supportive teams, employee recognition, joy in work wellness program, and mental health supports

Join us to grow your career and make a difference everyday.

Inclusion, Accessibility & Accommodation
VLRC is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace. We welcome applications from members of groups that have been historically marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, including those who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, women and 2SLGBTQ+. We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss to apply. Direct lived experience is valued as an asset. The successful candidate will be required to complete a standard Vulnerable Sector Check.

If you require an accommodation to apply or participate in the selection process, please contact . We’ll be happy to work with you to meet your needs.

Not sure if you qualify? Think about applying anyway!
We understand that not everyone brings 100% of the skills and experience for the role. If you bring passion, transferable skills, and a desire to make a difference, we encourage you to apply!VLRC does not use AI tools in its screening, assessment, or selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.