Senior Manager of Research and Programs
Greater Cleveland Food Bank
SUMMARY
Oversees and leads the research, outcomes, program evaluation, data and analytics functions for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Working with the Director, ensures that the strategic priorities of the organization, as consistent with strategic planning, are met and effectively completed. Plans, develops and directs implementation of evaluation initiatives within the organization’s core service areas. Ensures that well-developed plans, strategies, and processes contribute to the implementation, effectiveness, and outcomes of services provided by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Provides leadership, direction and quality assurance of all data and metrics across the organization. Responsible for the standardization, collection, and dissemination of data both internally and externally. Establishes and maintains strong relationships with each department, ensuring data accuracy and consistency is maintained across all departments. Ensures that data is collected, stored and reported in a standardized and accurate manner. Oversees the creation of data definitions for all non-financial metrics and data points.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is not all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned.
· Operational responsibility for all non-financial data collection, storage and reporting functions. Prioritize and align data initiatives with Food Bank strategies across entire organization.
· Ensure accurate, consistent and available metric reporting system through use of data warehouse and tools including but not limited to - Tableau, ArcGIS, Excel, SPSS and Jet Reports. Ensure the architecture can support the growing and changing needs of the organization.
· Lead and directs organization-wide efforts to provide consistent reporting on key metrics for internal and external use. Oversees the department as the “Gatekeeper” for all non-financial data collection, storage, reporting and dissemination.
· Responsible for translating the organization’s research and measurement-related strategic priorities into actionable measurement processes, metrics, and research products. This can include working with internal and external data sources and stakeholders.
· Directs efforts to measure the impact of GCFB’s community resource center(s). Areas of measurement include impact on neighbors’ food security as well as other areas of intervention that are related to services received. Work with community partners to define collective impact metrics, attend partner meetings, and shape research and data collection processes. Ensure that measurement processes help to fulfill GCFB’s strategic goals and needs
· Direct the measurement team’s efforts in meeting GCFB’s financial goals, including providing thought leadership and data analysis on programmatic evaluation efforts that utilize cost-benefit and/or cost effectiveness approaches. Work with leaders from finance and programs and agency services to create models that allow GCFB to make strategic decisions and investments in the most effective programs. Direct and manage Feeding America contractual requirements as related to research and evaluation, including Service Area Assessments (aka Community Needs Assessment) and the related Operational Response Plan. Oversee all components of the Service Area Assessment, including data analyses that provide insights in to community need for emergency food services, access data, and identifying service gaps and targeted areas for improvements. Work with leadership to create communication materials for internal and external audiences.
· Collaborate on and in some cases lead significant additional research initiatives, including supporting potential multi-year grants in partnership with local health care partners, research institutions, or other community partners that conduct research in the SDOH and poverty spaces.
· Guides organization in researching, developing and defining metrics that measure neighbor outcomes related to emergency food access. This will include working with agency and programmatic partners, consultants and skilled volunteers to create methodology for measuring client outcomes, as well as creating systems and/or processes for gathering, storing, reporting and analyzing client outcome data.
· Drive efforts to measure social impact on communities we serve and to recommend course of action to ensure that impact is sustainable and scalable.
· Oversees and communicates the Food Bank’s data definitions, data collection policies, data usage policies, performance metrics, processes & procedure documentation to support the business needs across the entire organization.
· Develop and manage the design, implementation and oversight of research and evaluation processes;
· Steward and cultivate high-level relationships with consultants and advisors; works with the Director as liaison to outside evaluation partners.
· Oversee the development and implementation of ongoing qualitative evaluation of our programmatic impact through a variety of methods including: surveys, focus groups, and interviews.
· Oversee work to develop, monitor, evaluate, and report on systems of assurance and control over the confidentiality, security, integrity, and uses of data.
· Support organizational efforts to maintain compliance with Feeding America and federal, state and local government reporting requirements as well as all auditing requirements.
· Develop relationships with other organizations and providers to assure access and links with other data systems.
· Develop and prepare internal reports of status, progress and outcomes of evaluation activities.
· Develop effective working relationships and collaboration across the organization to assess business needs and participate in the establishment of key performance indicators for each department.
· Oversee research and analysis of issues as requested, including preparation of reports.
· Provide support creating an environment of continuous improvement.
· Work with Director of IT to build out data warehouse and data staging infrastructure
· Perform other duties as required.
Supervisory Responsibilities
· Directly supervises Outcomes and Program Evaluation Manager. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employee(s); addressing complaints and resolving problems
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree and at least six years of relevant work experience with progressive data management and research responsibilities, OR Master’s degree or PhD and four year’s relevant experience. Demonstrated ability in designing and manipulating data using a computer database. Strong project management experience and the ability to monitor and manage multiple initiatives concurrently. Strong leadership ability with proven staff management skills; 3 years prior management or supervision of personnel required. Experience consolidating and reporting on data from disparate systems. Ability to directly conduct data analytics and train and mentor staff. Deep knowledge and ability to execute tasks actively using Business Intelligence Software (Tableau, Excel, SPSS), Spatial Data Analysis (ArcGIS) and Relational Databases (MSSQL, SQL, MySQL) required. Knowledge of and experience using evaluation and community-based research to inform program development. Knowledge and experience of program evaluation principles, theories, concepts and practices. Ability to analyze information, summarize findings and present them in ways easily understandable to decision-makers. Ability to own the room and drive organizational change.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, write, and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, partners and other employees of the organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Mastery of mathematical and statistical principles and methods for data analysis.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
None required.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Database management experience a plus. Must possess outstanding leadership abilities and communication skills to effectively work in an environment of highly diverse people. Must possess strong attention to detail, and be able to multi task, operate in a team environment and be deadline oriented. Expert knowledge of database systems. Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Raiser’s Edge preferred.
Physical Requirements and Environment
The physical requirements for this position include: Ability to remain in a near constant stationary position. Ability to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. frequently. Ability to operate a computer or other office productivity machinery constantly. Occasional ability to ascend/descend stairs to access work spaces. Occasional ability to position or move body to access filing cabinets or other work equipment. Ability to constantly exchange accurate information and communicate in person or via telephone with clients, partners, donors, coworkers and other members of the community. Must be able to constantly view a computer screen. Ability to move office equipment/supplies occasionally. Ability to lift 25-50 lbs on a regular basis. Travel is occasionally required for this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.