Associate Director

University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

3d•Remote

About The Position

The purpose of this role is to design and lead rigorous, high-quality evaluations across the Dana Center’s portfolio—overseeing evaluation plans, data collection, analysis, and reporting to demonstrate program progress, impact, and outcomes. The role also strengthens organizational learning by managing evaluation operations, translating findings into actionable insights, and supporting continuous improvement, communications, and field influence in math, science, and literacy education.

Requirements

Master’s degree in research, evaluation, data, impact
5+ years experience in evaluation, impact assessment
Knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods
Familiar with standard assessment tracking tools
3+ years experience supervising staff, leading teams or projects
3+ years experience managing project schedules, budgets
Proven experience ensuring data methods follow standard research protocols
Exceptional written and verbal skills
Experience with continuous improvement cycles
Resume/CV
3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be a supervisor
Letter of interest

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. degree in research, evaluation, data, or impact
Experience with math pathways or math education transformation
Experience with big data/longitudinal datasets

Responsibilities

Design and/or oversee the design of evaluation plans for proposals in collaboration with directors, managers, and program staff.
Ensure methodological rigor, consistency and research integrity in impact and outcome evaluations.
Lead the preparation and execution of funder deliverables and evaluation impact reports.
Synthesize evaluation findings to demonstrate program impact, implementation fidelity, and achieved outcomes.
Support organizational communications on evaluation.
Generate data-sharing agreements and other materials governing evaluation, as necessary.
Draft and/or review and approve data collection protocols including surveys, interviews, focus groups, classroom or implementation observations, in addition to analysis plans, and evaluation reports.
Organize and maintain evaluation knowledge systems, including databases, reports, proposals, instruments, and templates.
Develop and promote standardized evaluation processes for data collection, reporting, and proposal development.
Manage evaluation timelines, budgets, and contracts. Develop statements of work, and ensuring quality, rigor, and alignment with programmatic goals.
Grow and sustain a group of external evaluators, including identifying diverse expertise in K-12 and postsecondary math, science, and literacy education, professional learning and curriculum development.
Oversee external evaluators and consultants work progress and deliverables, ensuring that deliverables are submitted in time and with high quality.
Collaborate with directors and program staff to review evaluation findings and facilitate sensemaking discussions.
Support continuous improvement and rapid cycle learning by translating evidence into recommendations for program refinement.
Participate in regular debriefs, reflection sessions, and internal convenings to strengthen a culture of learning through evaluation.
Lead continuous improvement sessions with internal staff and external audiences.
Partner with communications staff to disseminate findings through research briefs, blogs, reports, presentations, and web content.
Contribute to white papers and thought leadership pieces on evaluation in math, science, and literacy education, professional learning and curriculum development.
Translate complex research into accessible, compelling insights for educators, policymakers, funders, and the public.
Provide support to Dana Center Managing Director and Management in disseminating evaluation findings in policy forums, briefings, and high-visibility presentations, as appropriate.