Director of Research & Evaluation

Lauber Community Partners has been exclusively engaged to conduct this search. Qualified individuals are invited to contact LCP directly for additional details. 

Position Summary:

Under the leadership of, and reporting to, the Chief Operations Officer, the Director of Research and Evaluation provides leadership, direction, and expertise in the design, development, implementation, analysis, and summary of community-based research and program evaluation for a broad range of health and human services across Southeastern Wisconsin. The Director oversees the administration and operations of the evaluation team, including writing proposals, developing project budgets, providing project leadership, working directly on project teams, supervising project staff, and recruiting/hiring new staff. The Director provides expertise to the agency overall on data-related matters, including input and guidance on survey design, data analysis, data interpretation, etc. The Director serves as a member of the senior leadership team, providing input on and assisting with agency management and team development. The Director represents the Planning and Evaluation department and the agency at community events, meetings, and other networking opportunities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Principal Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and implement the design of research and evaluation projects in collaboration with stakeholders (e.g., formative evaluations, summative evaluations, process evaluations, and community-based research).
• Lead and direct the development and implementation of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools with feedback from, and involvement of, stakeholders (e.g., survey design, instrument development, focus groups, key informant interviews, and client interviews).
• Provide leadership, direction, and hands-on work in the analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data using statistical software packages and qualitative data analysis techniques.
• Provide expertise in the interpretation of data in the context of the project or community, apply knowledge of evidence-based practices and fidelity to practices as needed, and elicit involvement of stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and direction in summarizing findings from qualitative and quantitative data accurately and objectively. Write reports and present data, with attention given to the intended audience.
• As needed, serve as the lead contact for project stakeholders and travel occasionally to funder-required meetings.

Management Responsibilities

• Manage, direct, and supervise multiple projects to ensure the production, timely completion, and delivery of high-quality work.
• Directly supervise Planning and Evaluation team members, including delegating assignments, providing guidance, reviewing work products, providing feedback, supporting professional development, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Provide project-related mentoring for external project staff, including providing guidance, reviewing work products, and providing feedback.
• Serve as an active member of IMPACT’s agency-wide leadership team.
• Contribute to the supervision of, and learning experiences for, Planning and Evaluation interns when relevant.
• Contribute to the capacity development and identification of professional development opportunities for agency staff.

Development Responsibilities

• Lead and/or contribute to the development and design of Planning and Evaluation proposals for federal, state, and local government funders and national and local foundations.
• Participate in community outreach and networking, including representing the agency at community-wide events and meetings, and participating in departmental and agency marketing efforts as needed.

Teamwork and Partnership Responsibilities

• Actively participate in agency and project teams. Work as a member of a team in all phases of project development and implementation. Contribute to organizational sustainability.
• Establish and maintain relationships with agency partners and potential partners. Serve as a resource to outside partners and contribute to the development of capacity among outside partners.
• Keep abreast of best practices, professional resources, and innovations in evaluation and other relevant fields, and communicate relevant information to agency staff and project partners.
• Actively participate in and support the organization’s strategic and other initiatives.

Abilities/Skills:

• Integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, funders, and stakeholders.
• Ability to work with diverse groups and a wide range of work styles.
• Ability to be responsive and sensitive to consumer and stakeholder needs.
• Advanced level of written and oral communication skills and the ability to effectively summarize quantitative and qualitative data for a variety of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, capacity for teamwork, and ability to work with a wide range of work styles.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. strongly preferred) in social sciences, health sciences, or a related discipline, with substantial coursework in research methods and statistical analysis.
• At least ten years of experience in human services research and evaluation.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing research and evaluation projects and in developing and administering surveys, qualitative data questions, and other data collection tools.
• Extensive experience with databases, data management, statistical software packages, and the analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Extensive experience with project management, including facilitating teamwork, supervising staff, managing multiple projects, and meeting deadlines.
• Extensive experience working with non-profit and government agencies, diverse community groups, and consumers of health and human services.
• Experience and familiarity with federal funder evaluation requirements, including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requirements and implementation.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.
• Reside in the State of Wisconsin and within 50 miles of IMPACT.

Benefits:

• Medical (Traditional & HSA Plan)
• Dental and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Free Long Term Disability
• Free Life & AD&D
• AFLAC
• 401(K) Plan – Eligibility is after six months of service and 500 hours.
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• IMPACT observes (11) Holidays – New Year’s Eve/Day, MLK Jr Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (includes day after Thanksgiving), Christmas Eve/Day
• Employee Assistance Program and other perks programs

Physical and Mental Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: work at a desk, conference table, and work at a computer, both for extended periods of time; see for the purpose of reading or observing employees; communicate so that others can clearly understand normal conversation; hear and understand speech at normal levels. The employee is frequently required to walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to: stand, lift, and/or move up to 10 pounds unassisted; drive to locations to attend meetings.