Job Description

Job Description:

Purpose of the Position

The Chief Research and Innovation Officer (CRIO) will serve as ARC’s foremost leader in research, analytics, and policy innovation. This executive-level role will oversee the Research and Analytics Department, guiding the agency’s efforts to integrate data-driven insights into regional planning and strategic decision-making.

The CRIO will play a pivotal role in shaping ARC’s long-term vision, aligning research with public policy priorities, and fostering an environment of analytical excellence. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CRIO will ensure ARC remains a national thought leader by applying cutting-edge methodologies, engaging diverse stakeholders, and translating complex data into actionable strategies.

The Candidate

ARC plays a pivotal role in the metro region by providing reliable economic and population data, fostering strong community relationships and data access. The Research Department has made significant strides in community engagement, using advanced tools and technologies to better present data. ARC publishes a wide range of materials, including GIS portals and a popular blog, contributing actively to applied research.

The successful candidate must be innately curious and collaborative with the ability to empower and encourage the team. Additionally, the CRIO should have a strong research background or consulting experience, with expertise in health, transportation, policy, demographics, and data science, as well as proven leadership and community-building skills.

The role involves frequent media engagement, stakeholder interactions, and presenting data to inform decision-making, while also overseeing a team of subject matter experts. The position requires strong technical competence in modelling and forecasting, with a focus on innovation and adaptability. With unmatched breadth and responsibility, this role has the potential to shape the region’s future through applied research and strategic community engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute a forward-thinking research agenda that informs ARC’s strategic priorities, including transportation, housing, economic development, sustainability, and infrastructure.
• Position ARC as a national model for data-driven decision-making by incorporating emerging technologies such as AI, predictive analytics, and digital twins.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CEO, ensuring that research initiatives align with ARC’s long-term policy and investment goals.
• Spearhead the development of integrated data systems to analyze cross-sectoral challenges and opportunities.
• Identify new research frontiers to keep ARC ahead of regional and national trends.

Research Excellence & Innovation

• Lead high-impact research initiatives, ensuring methodological rigor and actionable insights.
• Advance multi-disciplinary collaboration across transportation, land use, housing, and workforce development.
• Promote the adoption of cutting-edge data tools, including GIS, machine learning platforms, and advanced modeling techniques.
• Maintain a culture of research integrity, ensuring that ARC’s data products meet the highest standards of accuracy and reliability.

Program Development, External Engagement & Fundraising

• Strengthen ARC’s role as a regional and national thought leader by forging strategic partnerships with universities, think tanks, government agencies, and private sector innovators.
• Lead regional and national research collaborations, securing external funding to expand ARC’s research capacity.
• Advocate for data-driven policies, ensuring research findings influence local, state, and federal decision-making.
• Translate complex research into clear, compelling insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
• Represent ARC in high-profile forums, presenting research to national conferences, legislative bodies, and industry panels.

Organizational Leadership & Team Development

• Build and mentor a high-performing team of data scientists, researchers, and policy analysts.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Oversee budgetary and resource allocation to ensure research excellence.
• Develop internal systems and frameworks to enhance operational efficiency and cross-departmental integration.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A graduate degree (PhD preferred) in data science, public policy, economics, urban planning, or a related field.
• A track record of research excellence and strategic leadership (15+ years of experience preferred).

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Deep expertise in regional planning, economic analysis, and policy research.
• Proven ability to drive innovation through emerging research methodologies, including predictive analytics, big data, and simulation modeling.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to advise senior leaders, influence policy, and engage diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of translating complex data into compelling narratives.
• Experience securing external funding and managing large-scale research initiatives.

Additional Information

About ARC:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is done through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.

ARC Strategic Framework

Vision — ONE great REGION

Mission Statement

The Atlanta Regional Commission fosters thriving communities for all within the Atlanta region through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments.

Our Goals

• Healthy, safe, livable communities in the Atlanta metro area.

• Strategic investments in people, infrastructure, mobility, and preserving natural resources.

• Regional services delivered with operational excellence and efficiency .

• Diverse stakeholders engage and take a regional approach to solve local issues.

• A competitive economy that is inclusive, innovative, and resilient.

Our Core Values

Excellence | A commitment to doing our best and going above and beyond in every facet of our work allowing for innovative practices and actions to be created while ensuring our agency’s and our colleague’s success.

Equity | We represent a belief that there are some things which people should have, that there are basic needs that should be fulfilled, that burdens and rewards should not be spread too divergently across the community, and that policy should be directed with impartiality, fairness and justice towards these ends.

Integrity | In our conduct, communication, and collaboration with each other and the region’s residents, we will act with consistency, honesty, transparency, fairness and accountability within and across each of our responsibilities and functions.

Application Process:

The Atlanta Regional Commission is looking for individuals who enjoy working in a public service environment where the mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the Atlanta region. ARC serves as a forum where leaders come together to discuss and act on issues of regionwide consequence, so it is important that our staff share the public entrepreneurial spirit that defines ARC.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, ARC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, sex, religion or disability.

For questions about recruitment, or to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview, or testing process, please contact ARC at 404-463-3100 or Human Resources via email at hr@atlantaregional.org.

ARC offers our full-time regular employees a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off and more!

Job Tags

Similar Jobs