Vice President of Data & Learning

Pahara Institute•Lone Rock, IA

7d•Remote

About The Position

The Vice President (VP) of Data & Learning leads Pahara's data collection, analysis, and organizational learning strategy. This role ensures that data is leveraged effectively to drive decision-making, demonstrate impact, and enable continuous improvement across all programs and operations. The VP of Data & Learning develops systems and practices that build a data-informed culture while also communicating Pahara's impact to external stakeholders.

Requirements

Master's degree in data science, evaluation, research methods, or related field preferred
8+ years of experience in data management, program evaluation, or related fields
Experience in education, nonprofit, or social impact assessment preferred
Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods
Expertise in data analysis, visualization, and interpretation
Knowledge of data management platforms and business intelligence tools
Experience designing and implementing program evaluation frameworks
Strong project management and organizational skills
Superior written and verbal communication abilities
Ability to translate complex data into accessible insights for diverse audiences
Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
Knowledge of data privacy regulations and ethical data practices
Ability to travel occasionally for organizational meetings and events
Proficient with data analysis tools, CRM systems, and relevant technology platforms
Alignment with Pahara's core values
The VP's primary focus is to lead data strategy and organizational learning for Pahara.
The VP develops, implements, monitors, and refines data systems and learning practices with high levels of autonomy. They translate organizational needs into effective approaches for gathering, analyzing, and applying data to drive impact and improvement.
The VP facilitates collaboration across the organization to ensure data quality and usefulness, bringing analytical expertise and evaluation best practices to all aspects of Pahara's work.
You are a strategic data leader with exceptional analytical abilities. You have demonstrated success in designing evaluation approaches and building data-informed cultures. You are intellectually curious, methodologically rigorous, and committed to continuous learning. You excel at both technical data work and organizational change management.
You are committed to leveraging data to advance educational transformation. You understand how thoughtful evaluation contributes to organizational effectiveness and program impact. You recognize the connection between data-informed decision-making and achieving educational equity. You believe in Pahara's mission to develop diverse, high-integrity leaders who can redefine public education.
You excel at making data meaningful and accessible to diverse stakeholders. You communicate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences. You approach data work with integrity and an equity lens. You model Pahara's values through your work and contribute to an organizational culture of learning and improvement.

Responsibilities

Develop a comprehensive data strategy aligned with organizational goals and priorities
Increase the speed and accuracy of actionable data that can be used to achieve Pahara's mission and vision
Define key metrics and indicators that meaningfully reflect Pahara's impact and performance
Identify trends, patterns, and correlations in program and operational data
Lead complex data analysis projects that inform strategic decisions
Partner with program leaders to integrate evaluation into program design and delivery
Increase our collective ability to communicate the impact of Pahara's work efficiently and effectively
Partner with communications staff to integrate data into reports, presentations, and other external materials
Support fundraising efforts with relevant data on program outcomes and organizational effectiveness
Lead longitudinal studies that track the influence of Pahara programs over time
Lead the optimization of CRM and other data management platforms and their integration with other organizational systems
Establish data standards, policies, and procedures that ensure data quality and security
Implement data security and privacy protocols that comply with relevant regulations
Develop solutions for data visualization and reporting that make insights accessible
Foster a culture of inquiry, reflection, and data-informed decision-making
Develop processes for capturing and applying insights across the organization
Facilitate learning sessions that help teams interpret and act on data insights
Create feedback loops that connect data collection to organizational improvement
Document and share organizational learning through appropriate knowledge management systems
Partner with program team to ensure data collection and evaluation meet program needs
Collaborate with operations teams to implement efficient data collection processes
Manage the Data Manager and build team capacity through training and development
Establish clear team goals, roles, and performance expectations
Identify and address skill gaps through hiring, professional development, or external partnerships
Complete other duties at the discretion of your manager