Who we are

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities' most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families. 

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

Who we need

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Research and Program Development, we are looking for a Manager, Research and Evaluation to join us for a 12-month contract. You will provide people leadership and research oversight, supporting the Science in Action Framework. You will play a critical role guiding and supporting the work of 6-8 staff and students. You will oversee and directly contribute to research design and execution, program evaluation, data collection, management and analysis, measurement and tool development, grant writing, and reporting.

Please note, this is an in-office position. Working flexible hours on occasion to meet the needs of the organization may be required.

What's in it for you

Profound purpose. This is a chance to draw from our vast amounts of data, build collaborative relationships with internal experts in the field, and work on cutting-edge research in this field. You want to lead initiatives that will take us to the next level of research-backed methodologies and help scale access to our highly successful and in-demand programs for children, youth and families.

Professional recognition. This is a rewarding opportunity and the chance to publish your work, growing your exposure and network. You will have the chance to present findings and theories to leaders, peers, mental health and behavioural support providers, and students.

As our Manager of Research and Evaluation, you will:

• Develop programs. Collaborating with a cross-functional team, you will develop and implement research, program evaluation, and program scaling frameworks and protocols for CDI programs. You will support incorporating Measurement-based Care processes into evaluation frameworks where and when possible. 
• Grow and share knowledge. You will grow and maintain your knowledge of relevant literature, including best practices in effective treatment models and best practices in research and program evaluation. You will contribute to manuscripts for submission in academic journals and prepare user-friendly summaries of research findings. You will prepare and deliver presentations and reports on CDI’s areas of expertise to diverse audiences and stakeholder groups.
• Lead the team. You will monitor and support staff activities, providing guidance for achieving key milestones. You will recruit, train, coach, and mentor direct reports. You will implement and ensure adoption of best practices, working with individuals one-on-one to ensure the highest quality results. In addition, you will oversee the annual review process and ongoing performance management of the team.
• Manage projects. You will undertake special projects from end to end. You will provide work direction and leadership to the assigned project and support teams, including scheduling, assigning tasks, and reviewing project efforts. You will develop project plans that ensure the evaluation and research activities are completed on time and within budget, ensuring compliance with relevant protocols and quality control standards. You will monitor the data management process, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring the quality adheres to our standards. 
• Support funding requests. You will contribute to creating content and drafting narratives for proposals and funder reports. You will develop and maintain effective relationships key researchers in the field and multi-disciplinary team members, in support of ongoing research activities. You will work closely with colleagues and assigned staff to establish division budgets and monitor performance to ensure short-term and long-term strategic financial sustainability.

You have:

• The expertise. You have extensive knowledge and direct practical experience in social or health sciences research, literature review, data analysis, and program evaluation theories, methodologies, and frameworks. This includes knowledge of relevant literature in the areas of healthy child development, family violence, socioemotional and behaviour challenges in children and youth, and learning disability and mental health (LDMH) as well as evidence-based practices tailored to children, youth, and families with emotional problems.
• The technical skills. You have expertise in information management systems and research activities (principles and processes). You are proficient in MS Office Suite, Business Intelligence tools, and database utilization and management.
• The analytical mindset. You have exceptional research and analytical skills. You are highly knowledgeable in gathering, organizing and leveraging data and other available resources to build and present solutions. You have excellent judgment and can make thoughtful decisions as a creative problem solver.
• The project management. You are highly organized and supportive of new ideas and initiatives. You have end-to-end experience from planning to research, from execution and oversight to communication and change management. You can nurture relationships with cross-functional teams and internal and external stakeholders, influencing without authority and managing expectations. You can effectively prioritize work in an environment of competing demands, pivoting your focus to meet evolving deadlines, while achieving established benchmarks and KPIs. 
• The communication skills. You have exceptional communication and presentation skills. You can focus on the needs of individuals or groups. You have proven experience coaching individuals and guiding their work to increase adoption of best practices in research. You prioritize sharing information and engaging others in dialogue to grow your knowledge. You embrace the opportunity to work with groups from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• The desire to make a difference. You are interested in what we do and how we do it; you want to play a vital role in fostering a positive environment and generating measurable outcomes that genuinely impact the lives of our clients and the people they interact with.

Other requirements

• All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Credential verifications and references are required.

Join us.

Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.

At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:

• Flexible hours in a planned program environment.
• A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Ongoing paid professional development opportunities and certifications. 

If you want to be part of our vision to make a measurable lifelong impact on the mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families, join us.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor who will discuss your interest in CDI and how your background aligns with this role.
• An in-person interview with the Hiring Manager, a senior team member, and a member of the HR team. You will have the chance to expand on your research project and database management experience, share your interest in the work we do, and provide insights into your leadership approach. This is also an opportunity to ask further questions about the role, the team, and the organization.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at