Policy & Responsible Gaming Research Manager

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Research and Responsible Gaming, the Policy and Responsible Gaming Research Manager is responsible for overseeing the successful implementation and oversight of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) research program and providing gaming policy research on behalf of the Commission. This research program is required by M.G.L. c. 23K, * 71 , M.G.L. c. 23N s 23, and activities are guided by the Research Strategy for Gaming in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is committed to Responsible Gaming and funds critical research to inform the gaming industry worldwide. A Public Health Trust Fund supports robust problem gambling prevention and mitigation programs and services. An extensive research agenda informs strategies, practices and policies for responsible gaming and problem gambling prevention and treatment.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Contract Management and Administration

o Manage various administrative aspects of the research program including drafting procurements, contract management, and budget oversight

o Meet with contractors on a regular basis to ensure deliverables are on track and barriers are resolved

* Research Review

o Facilitate the external research review process for MGC funded research projects

o Coordinate review and review timeline with research contractors

o Orient new members to the Research Review Committee

o Plan and facilitate quarterly Gaming Research Advisory Committee meetings

* Gaming Policy Research

o Conduct and summarize gaming policy research on existing and emerging topics in the gaming space

o Provide comparative review of gaming policy across jurisdictions and gaming products

* Knowledge Mobilization

o Translate MGC and external research findings into knowledge products such as research snapshots, briefs and whitepapers tailored to a wide range of stakeholders and audiences

o Liaise with other state agencies and stakeholders to create and share knowledge about the impacts of gaming in Massachusetts

o Develop quarterly research update reports

* Massachusetts Open Data Exchange Project

o Manage the Massachusetts Open Data Exchange (MODE)

o Respond to requests from interested researchers for datasets

o Follow up with researchers granted use of data

* Player Data Project

o Plan and facilitate ongoing meetings with the project team to ensure deliverables are on track and barriers are resolved

o Work with the project team to facilitate process development for delivering, anonymizing, and storing data, as well as linking researchers with data

Skills and Qualifications:

* Excellent project management and research skills.

* Excellent report writing skills, including experience creating research syntheses and plain language reports.

* Experience translating complex research into content tailored toward the needs of stakeholders, such as infographics and knowledge translation products.

* Proficiency working with Microsoft Office.

* Ability to design and implement applied social science research. Interest in and experience with socioeconomic analysis, work in health equity, mental health issues, gambling, and community health.

* Basic working knowledge of research methods, statistical methods, problem gambling services and goals, and program evaluation.

* Experience working with diverse populations and community groups.

Experience, Education, and Training:

A Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences or related field with at least three (3) years of experience with program planning, evaluation or large-scale research studies;

A Master's degree in Social Sciences is preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Salary is commensurate with experience.

The successful candidate in this position will be required to pass an extensive background check conducted by the Massachusetts State Police. It includes a full credit check, CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information), fingerprinting, drug test, reference checks, review of IRS Income Tax Transcripts for the last four years, and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Massachusetts Dept. of Revenue (DOR).