Senior Manager

Job Title: Senior Manager, Content Research & Evaluation

Department: Research & Insights

About Sesame Workshop:

Sesame Workshop is the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 150 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager, Content Research & Evaluation is a member of the Research & Insights and reports to the Senior Director, Content Research & Evaluation.

The Senior Manager, Content Research & Evaluation supports the Content Research & Evaluation team within the Research & Insights department to manage tools used across the groups and to ensure communication across all research being conducted at the Workshop. The Senior Manager, Content Research & Evaluation also supports research activities through instrument development, data collection, analysis, report writing, and presentation of findings and recommendations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support the design and coordination of domestic and international research projects to ensure a clear understanding of study goals and high-quality reporting
• Contribute to research design, data collection, and analysis on domestic and international needs assessments, formative studies, and efficacy studies in diverse global contexts
• Collaborate closely with Education and Production teams to design and conduct formative testing of global media content with children and caregivers, ensuring content is engaging, culturally relevant, and educationally effective
• Manage day-to-day research activities on assigned projects; support communication with partners and funders as needed
• Work with the Revenue and Impact Programs team on proposal development and fundraising efforts by contributing research inputs and context-specific evidence
• Partner with international and local stakeholders, including research vendors and implementing partners, to ensure research methods and findings are contextually appropriate and accurate
• Translate research findings into clear, actionable insights to strengthen program design, media production, and content development
• Share results with internal teams and external partners through presentations and written reports

• Coordinate with and oversee external research vendors, enumerators, or consultants, providing guidance and monitoring to ensure quality and integrity.
• Represent Sesame Workshop in professional forums
• Support Content Research & Evaluation team with administrative tasks as needed, including vendor identification, contracting, vendor management, and invoicing
• Contribute to developing a team culture grounded in collaboration and innovation

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Child Development, Educational Psychology, Media Studies, Development Studies, Communications, or a related field with an emphasis on media research, child development, or international development
• 5-7 years of research experience, preferably with international projects focused on children, families, or communities
• Demonstrated experience conducting or supporting field research in diverse cultural contexts, including in the Global South
• Experience conducting formative testing of educational or media content with children ages 3-8 years old and their parents/caregivers
• Familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the ability to integrate findings from both
• Competency in statistical software (SPSS, R, SAS, or equivalent) and data analysis
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with experience drafting reports, presentations, and briefs for multiple audiences
• Ability to travel domestically (up to 25%) and internationally (up to 15%), sometimes in challenging environments
• Proficiency in MS Office and internet-based research tools

Other Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing field research logistics (e.g., training enumerators, coordinating with local partners, managing translation/back-translation, piloting tools)
• Familiarity with the ethical considerations of research with children and families in international contexts
• Previous experience working with or managing research vendors or academic partners
• Language skills beyond English (especially in Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, or other relevant languages)
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-cultural, collaborative teams
• Comfort working directly with children, caregivers, and community-based stakeholders in on-the-ground research

Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) Statement

Sesame Workshop is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy-related condition, familial status, domestic violence victim status, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

PSEA Statement

Sesame Workshop is an equal-opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on the business needs, job requirements & suitability of the candidate. Sesame Workshop strictly follows the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of program participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Sesame Workshop staff, consultants, visitors to the program and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected from them.