Sr Director Programs & Research and Evaluation

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

1d • $99,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Programs & Research and Evaluation Senior Director works under the direction of the Chief Program & Evaluation Officer and serves on the senior leadership team. The role leads an integrated portfolio of program strategy development, implementation, and evaluation aligned with the First Things First Strategic Plan. It oversees agency-wide research, strategy development and implementation, evaluation studies, programmatic grant processes, and technical assistance to ensure strategies are supported by research evidence and best practice, responsive to regional needs and Board priorities, and connected to measurable outcomes. The position also oversees data systems development, manages vendor performance, communicates findings to stakeholders, and directly supervises Program and Evaluation Specialists.

The position may offer remote work within Arizona, based on departmental business needs and continued achievement of performance measures. Remote work is a management option and may be ended at the agency’s discretion. Work must be performed within Arizona unless an exception is authorized in advance.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree (PhD) and three years of experience, or a Master’s degree and five years of experience, in early childhood development or education, developmental psychology, research methodology, public health, social work, public policy, public administration, educational psychology, or a related field.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams, give and receive constructive feedback, work independently, take initiative, and be self-directed.
• High personal and professional integrity and credibility, with a propensity to identify areas for self-improvement.
• Flexibility and adaptability to manage changing demands and multiple concurrent tasks accurately and on deadline, with strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Experience leading and mentoring team members through professional growth, constructive feedback, and regular coaching; ability to build a collaborative and equitable culture, support diverse perspectives, build morale, and motivate staff to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience in program development and implementation as well as research and evaluation methodologies within early childhood or human services systems.
• Experience using statistical software such as SPSS to manage datasets, codebooks, and syntax; conduct quantitative analyses from descriptive through multivariate, including trend analyses; and conduct qualitative analyses.
• Experience creating data reports, including communicating report specifications, logic, and blueprints to internal IT staff or external database vendors.
• Ability to adapt and remain reliable in conflict and crisis, exercise tact and judgment, consider competing stakeholder perspectives and interests, and communicate with composure across organizational levels, including executive leadership.
• Must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) upon hire.
• If driving or using a vehicle is an essential job function for conducting State business, the applicable driver’s license requirements apply.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral degree (PhD) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support Program Specialists in developing, revising, and implementing early education, literacy, family support, and children’s health strategies, services, and programs aligned with research, effective practices, and regional and tribal needs.
• Lead programmatic grant processes, including developing and revising standards of practice, scopes of work, and theories of change, ensuring programs are evidence-informed and outcome-oriented.
• Develop and implement methods to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to monitor implementation, provide timely technical assistance, and support grant partner accountability.
• Guide Program Specialists in using data to support FTF teams and councils in strategy implementation and strategic priorities.
• Facilitate discussions with regional councils, state agencies, system partners, and grant partners; solicit and incorporate feedback; and communicate changes, rationales, and decisions.
• Use current early childhood research and emerging state and national issues to inform FTF strategies, decisions, and policy work.
• Lead and supervise Evaluation Specialists in analyzing statewide and regional implementation and outcome data, population-level data, and program data to identify trends and inform program and policy implications.
• Plan and manage research studies and other projects tied to the FTF Strategic Plan, including establishing goals, timelines, scopes of work, methodologies, deliverables, and vendor oversight.
• Coordinate with the FTF Tribal Relations team on implementation data efforts, tribal regional studies, and related materials in compliance with the FTF Tribal Data Policy.
• Lead or direct development of data systems with IT staff and contractors, including business requirements, system design, data fields, report logic, codebooks, and direction to report writers.
• Prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and presentations tailored to the FTF Board, Regional Councils, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Meet with Regional Councils, staff, and local stakeholders to gather input on research and evaluation activities.
• Represent First Things First in statewide coalitions, advisory groups, workgroups, and cross-agency initiatives, advancing coordination among state, local, tribal, public, and private partners.
• Work with state and local partners to develop shared data fields, protocols, and processes for accessing data for research, evaluation, and early childhood system work.
• Convene cross-agency and system partner committees to gather input, identify opportunities for alignment, and support collaborative solutions that improve services and outcomes.
• Provide strategic leadership in connecting and leveraging data across FTF and partner systems, developing cross-system questions and analytical approaches, and collaborating to understand service reach, system interactions, gaps, outcomes, and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with FTF IT, Finance, and External Affairs staff on data exchanges and sharing agreements, data security and maintenance protocols, and public data dissemination policies.
• Provide direct and project-based supervision to Program and Evaluation Specialists in accordance with agency policies and applicable laws.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on internal Cross-Functional Teams, providing evaluation, reporting, and data expertise through tools, training, and strategic guidance.
• Collaborate with other Senior Directors on shared agency work, including grant application processes and program improvement initiatives.
• Perform duties in a manner that supports the organization’s culture and mission with respect and cooperation, and support additional opportunities related to the role and its functions.

Benefits

• Option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, subject to management approval and agency needs.
• Paid parental leave program.
• State of Arizona benefits package.
• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior