Sr Director Programs & Research and Evaluation

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

8d • $99,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Programs & Research and Evaluation Senior Director is a member of the senior leadership team and works under the direction of the Chief Program & Evaluation Officer. The role leads an integrated portfolio of program strategy development, implementation, and evaluation aligned with the First Things First (FTF) 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 and best practices, aligned with regional needs and Board priorities, and connected to measurable outcomes. The position also oversees data-system development, vendor performance, dissemination of findings, and direct supervision of Program and Evaluation Specialists.

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

First Things First is an Arizona state organization created by voter initiative in 2006. It works with families, regional partnership councils, and diverse constituencies to support an equitable, high-quality early childhood system for children from birth to age five.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree (PhD) with at least three years of experience, or a master’s degree with at least 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, including the ability to collaborate across teams, give and receive constructive feedback, work independently, take initiative, and be self-directed.
• Strong personal and professional integrity and credibility, with a propensity to identify areas for self-improvement.
• Ability to adapt to changing demands and manage multiple simultaneous tasks accurately while meeting deadlines; 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 work culture that supports diverse perspectives, builds morale, and motivates staff to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience in program development and implementation and in 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 and trend analyses; and conduct qualitative analyses.
• Experience creating data reports and communicating report blueprints, specifications, and logic to internal IT staff or external database vendors.
• Ability to remain adaptable and reliable during conflict or crisis; exercise tact and judgment; consider stakeholder perspectives and competing interests; and communicate with composure across organizational levels, including executive leadership.
• Successful completion of the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) is required of newly hired State employees.
• If driving or use of a vehicle is an essential job function for conducting State business, the stated 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.
• Develop and implement methods to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to monitor implementation, provide technical assistance, and support grant-partner accountability.
• Guide Program Specialists in using data to support FTF teams and councils with strategy implementation and priorities.
• Facilitate discussions with regional councils, state agencies, system partners, and grant partners; solicit and incorporate feedback; and clearly communicate changes, rationale, and decisions.
• Use current research on early childhood programs, policy, and emerging state and national issues to inform FTF strategies, decisions, and policy work.
• Lead and supervise Evaluation Specialists conducting analysis of statewide and regional strategy implementation, outcomes, population-level data, and program data.
• Plan and manage studies and other projects supporting the FTF Strategic Plan, including setting goals and timelines, communicating priorities, developing scopes of work and methodologies, planning deliverables, and managing vendor performance.
• Coordinate with the FTF Tribal Relations team on implementation data efforts, tribal regional studies, and related materials in accordance with the FTF Tribal Data Policy.
• Lead or direct the development of data systems with internal IT staff and external contractors, including business requirements, system design and fields, report logic, codebooks, and direction to report writers.
• Prepare technical data reports, policy briefs, and presentations for the FTF Board, Regional Councils, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Meet with Regional Councils, staff, and local stakeholders to gather input on FTF research and evaluation activities.
• Represent FTF in statewide early childhood 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 data access supporting FTF research, evaluation, and early childhood systems work.
• Convene cross-agency and system-partner committees to gather input, identify alignment and coordination opportunities, and support collaborative solutions.
• Connect and leverage data across FTF and partner systems, identify opportunities to integrate data sources, and develop cross-system questions and analytical approaches.
• Collaborate with agency partners, IT, and stakeholders to use data to understand service reach, system interactions, gaps, outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Work 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, 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 agency’s mission and internal culture with respect and cooperation, and support additional work 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 discretion.
• Paid Parental Leave program.
• Retirement through ASRS.

What This Job Offers

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