Director, Data Insights & Applied Research

Scope and Summary

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,…