Director of Evaluation & Epidemiology

Company Overview

Founded in 1990, Kauffman and Associates, Inc. (KAI) is an American Indian– and woman-owned management consulting firm dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable populations and enhancing the reach and effectiveness of social sector organizations. We combine stories of lived experiences with meaningful, data-driven insights to reach underserved communities.

We work closely with federal, tribal, state, and regional governments; associations; foundations; and private sector partners. KAI is dedicated to uplifting American Indian and Alaska Native people, tribal and urban Indian communities, and social sector programs.

At KAI, we do work that matters! 

Values

KAI is a mission-driven organization, firmly grounded in our company values that guide our approach and prioritize the work that we pursue. KAI values are Indigeneity, Thought Leadership, Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, and Results.

Job Summary

This is a senior-level position requiring demonstrated success in leading evaluation and/or epidemiological projects from inception through completion. The ideal candidate will be ready to assume full project leadership responsibilities immediately upon hire, bringing refined technical and management skills. KAI will support continued professional growth through Indigenous leadership principles, cultural learning, and advanced methodological collaboration, but this role is not an entry or developmental position.

The Director of Evaluation and Epidemiology provides strategic, technical, and cultural leadership across KAI’s Research, Evaluation, & Planning (REP) Service Line. This hybrid position integrates advanced evaluation design and epidemiological analysis to ensure that KAI’s work with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities is both scientifically rigorous and culturally grounded.

The Director serves as a Project Director for multiple contracts, overseeing design, data collection, analysis, and reporting for evaluation and epidemiology projects. The ideal candidate brings balanced expertise to this role and will be able to interpret quantitative and qualitative data with precision, apply Indigenous and community-based evaluation frameworks, and communicate complex findings in accessible, actionable ways.

This role requires strong leadership, independent judgment, and exceptional relationship-building skills to uphold KAI’s commitment to integrity, collaboration, and results.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead integrated evaluation and epidemiological projects using Indigenous, community-based, and evidence-driven methods.
• Develop and oversee study and evaluation designs, analysis plans, and data management frameworks.
• Direct quantitative and qualitative data analysis using tools such as SPSS, SAS, R, NVivo, and Tableau.
• Ensure all data products, dashboards, and reports reflect cultural and scientific rigor and align with Indigenous data sovereignty principles.
• Interpret and present findings to clients, leadership, and community partners.
• Serve as Project Director for assigned contracts, ensuring deliverable quality, fiscal oversight, and timely completion.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and technical staff to monitor budgets, workloads, and resource allocation.
• Communicate proactively with clients about progress, risks, and recommendations.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop staff across the evaluation and epidemiology team.
• Maintain high-quality standards through structured review, accountability, and mentoring systems.
• Contribute to methodological innovation across the REP service line, including mixed methods designs and integration of Indigenous knowledge systems.
• Stay current with research, policy, and public health trends affecting Indigenous communities.

Leadership and Project Directing Responsibilities

• Serve as Project Director for assigned evaluation contracts, assuming full accountability for outcomes, timelines, and budgets.
• Exercise independent judgment in managing project issues and deliverables while maintaining clear communication with the Vice President.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers to ensure compliance, fiscal integrity, and effective staff deployment.
• Model ethical and trauma-informed leadership, prioritizing transparency, respect, and relationship-centered engagement.
• Proactively identify opportunities for innovation and improvement across the service line.

Key Competencies

• Advanced technical proficiency in study design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation, with the ability to detect methodological or analytic errors, ensure quality control, and mentor staff in continuous improvement.
• Expertise in leading multi-method evaluations and epidemiological studies that combine rigor with Indigenous and community-based approaches.
• Deep knowledge of AI/AN data systems, data sovereignty, and community-based ethics.
• Ability to lead teams spanning quantitative and qualitative disciplines.
• Proven success directing complex, multi-contract research and evaluation portfolios.
• Demonstrated allyship or Indigenous identity grounded in authentic community engagement.
• Excellence in cross-disciplinary communication and culturally grounded mentorship.
• Strong fiscal management, accountability, and client relations.
• Commitment to team mentorship and accountability.

Education & Experience

Candidates must demonstrate clear and recent experience directing complex research or evaluation projects. This position is intended for individuals already operating at a senior level who are prepared to lead contracts immediately upon onboarding.

• Doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, DrPH, EdD) in epidemiology, evaluation, public health, or a related field preferred; master’s degree required with 7–10 years of relevant experience.
• At least 5 years of experience directing complex evaluation and/or epidemiological projects, ideally within Indigenous or cross-cultural contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams, budgets, and client relationships in multi-year, federally funded projects.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization software (SPSS, SAS, R, NVivo, Tableau, ArcGIS).

Demands/Complexity

The Director must operate comfortably across multiple levels of complexity, technical, organizational, and relational. Success in this role requires the ability to align teams across disciplines, and maintain excellence in client relationships, deliverables, and teamwork. The Director will synthesize across disciplines and lead multi-layered portfolios. The hybrid nature of this role demands a strategic thinker who is comfortable in technical detail and leadership.

Supervisory Responsibility

Significant

• Direct supervision of epidemiologists, evaluators, analysts, and consultants.
• Provide mentorship and capacity-building across technical staff.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and ensure professional development aligned with company values.

 Work Environment and Demands

• Fully remote position with periodic travel for conferences, fieldwork, or meetings.
• Requires frequent communication with clients, partners, and staff across multiple time zones.
• Must balance independent decision-making with collaborative coordination and maintain the highest standards of accuracy and integrity in all work.