Strategic Learning and Evaluation Director

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Learning 

• Build a learning and evaluation agenda and set of metrics aligned to the organization’s strategic goals. Effectively procure and manage research and evaluation consultants, as necessary, to amplify the foundation’s internal capacity to execute learning tasks and produce deliverables that inform the board and field, under the direction of the Chief Strategy and Insights Officer,
• Communicate key findings effectively to various audiences in a manner that builds the social sector and drives strategy. 

Data Collection and Analysis 

• Oversee the design and implementation of data collection methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups and case studies.
• Use both quantitative and qualitative research methods to evaluate the outcomes of funded programs and initiatives.
• Analyze complex data sets to identify trends, insights and areas for improvement in foundation operations and programmatic efforts.

Reporting and Insights 

• Synthesize data and findings into clear, compelling and actionable reports for internal and external stakeholders, including funders, board members, grantees and the community.
• Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership and program teams to inform decision-making and enhance program effectiveness.
• Report on the foundation’s overall impact and outcomes to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability on a regular basis.

Capacity Building 

• Provide training and support to internal teams and grantees in using data for decision-making, continuous improvement and learning.
• Facilitate a learning culture within the foundation by promoting the use of data and insights in day-to-day work and program design.
• Advise and support grantees in the design and implementation of their own monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Collaboration and Partnership 

• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including academic institutions, evaluation consultants and community organizations, to stay abreast of best practices and innovations in evaluation and learning.
• Collaborate with program staff, fundraising teams and other internal stakeholders to ensure insights are integrated into strategy, decision-making and communications.

Continuous Improvement 

• Monitor trends and developments in the philanthropic sector related to evaluation, learning and impact assessment, and incorporate relevant insights into the foundation’s practices.
• Lead efforts to continuously refine and improve the foundation’s learning and evaluation approaches to increase impact and effectiveness.

Qualifications / Skills / Requirements 

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., Public Administration, Social Sciences, Evaluation or related discipline) or equivalent professional experience.
• 8 or more years of experience in learning, evaluation, research or related roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management position.
• Experience in the nonprofit or philanthropic sector is highly preferred, with a solid understanding of grantmaking, community development and impact evaluation.
• Strong experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to distill complex data into actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings in an accessible and engaging manner.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Tableau, etc.) and survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics).
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, grantees, funders and community leaders.
• Strong commitment to the mission of the Communities Foundation of Texas and social impact.
• Collaborative, flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Effectively model and demonstrate CFT’s core competencies which include Collaboration, Impact and Problem Solving, Integrity and Accountability, Learning, and Internal and External Service.

Disclaimer: The above sections contain representative examples of job duties that might be performed by employees assigned to this classification. CFT is a dynamic organization, and the environment can be fluid. Roles and responsibilities may be altered to accommodate changing conditions and objectives as well as to tap into the skills and experience of its employees. Accordingly, employees may be asked to perform duties that are outside the specific work that is listed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees within this class.