Senior Process Optimization Specialist

AIR is seeking a strategic and action-oriented Senior Process Optimization Specialist to champion design efforts and operational excellence initiatives that support enterprise-wide process optimization. Reporting to the Director of Process Optimization, this role will apply human-centered and design thinking efforts to reimagine workflows, improve operational efficiency, and enhance user experience across the organization. The role also plays a critical role in leading change management efforts to ensure successful adoption and sustainability of new processes and solutions.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. Mission-focused and evidence-driven, AIR applies rigorous research and technical expertise to close gaps in opportunity and access, improving lives across communities and systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and Execute Optimization Strategy: As a key member of the process optimization team, shape and design strategies that drive process optimization efforts that align with organizational goals and translate into actionable outcomes.
• Identify and Prioritize Opportunities: Use data, stakeholder input, and service design tools to identify high-impact areas for optimization.
• Lead Design Thinking Sprints: Use human-centered design thinking methods to uncover user needs, generate insights, and guide cross-functional teams in co-creating solutions that improve user experience and operational outcomes.
• Lead Prototyping and User Testing Initiatives: Build high-fidelity prototypes to visualize and refine process optimization strategies. Facilitate user testing sessions to validate solutions, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with user needs and organizational goals.
• Drive Change Management: Develop and implement change management strategies to support adoption of new processes, including stakeholder engagement, communications, training, and feedback loops.
• Measure and Communicate Impact: Track design outcomes and communicate value to stakeholders and leadership.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree and 9+ years of experience; Master's Degree and 7+ years of experience; Doctoral Degree and 3+ years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational improvement, design thinking, and change management initiatives in complex organizations.
• Background in research, technical assistance, or mission-driven organizations.
• Track record of translating abstract concepts into tangible tools and processes.

Skills:

• Expertise in design thinking, service design, or human-centered design.
• Strong facilitation, storytelling, and communication skills.
• Proven change and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across cross-functional teams.
• Understanding of other common process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Agile).
• Proficiency with design and project management tools such as Miro, Figma, Airtable, or similar.
• Familiarity with behavioral insights and their application in process design and change management.

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements. American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE:If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000 Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an "@air.org" domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

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