Research & Evaluation Officer

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. 

Job Description:

Position Title: Research & Evaluation Officer

Position Type: Full-Time 

FLSA Classification: Exempt 

Division: Data Strategy 

Department: Research & Evaluation 

Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer

Compensation Range: $55,800-$83,800

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

Position Summary

The Research & Evaluation Officer plays a central role in designing and executing research and evaluation studies that inform strategic decision-making at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, as well as with external partners across Northwest Arkansas and beyond. This position independently leads projects from design through dissemination, including developing research plans and budgets, managing data collection and analysis, and communicating findings to diverse audiences. The Officer also contributes to capacity building, fosters external collaborations, and supports the institution’s commitment to equity-based and data-informed practices.

Principal Responsibilities

Research Design & Execution

• Independently design and lead research and evaluation studies aligned with institutional and partner goals.
• Develop data collection instruments (e.g., surveys, interview protocols) and manage data collection schedules.
• Conduct data collection using qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, surveys, observations, and recordings.
• Analyze data using appropriate statistical and thematic techniques; synthesize findings into actionable insights.

Collaboration & Capacity Building

• Cultivate and manage relationships with internal departments and external partners to ensure clarity of scope, deliverables, and communication.
• Lead or co-lead trainings and workshops to build evaluation capacity among staff and partners.
• Mentor junior staff and data collectors through project-based guidance.

Reporting & Dissemination

• Translate complex findings into accessible formats for internal and external stakeholders, including reports, presentations, and publications.
• Contribute to the department’s knowledge base by pursuing opportunities for publication and conference presentations.

Strategic Contribution

• Support the Center for Audience Research & Evaluation’s growth by identifying and fostering new partnerships.
• Collaborate across the Data Strategy team to ensure data integration and consistency across platforms.

Qualifications and Skills:

Education, Training, and Traits:

• Bachelor of arts/sciences required, advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.

• Position requires strong foundation in social science research, program evaluation, or museum learning research. Familiarity with culturally responsive and equity-based research methods preferred.

• Exemplary written, verbal, and listening communication skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate technical data to a range of stakeholders; Bilingual English/Spanish written and verbal abilities preferred.
• Experience with both qualitative and quantitative analysis, including the use of inferential statistics. Use of analytical software packages preferred (SPSS, NVivo)

Work Experience:

• Three or more years’ experience conducting social science research and evaluation with museum or cultural organizations.

Physical Demands and