Director, Quality Improvement

Sandy Hook Promise; Connecticut; Remote; USD 93,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Quality Improvement to spearhead initiatives aimed at enhancing program effectiveness through continuous learning and evaluation. This role involves overseeing data collection, translating findings into actionable insights, and guiding teams to improve strategies based on evidence. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and the ability to communicate complex data clearly. Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to creating safer environments for children and making a significant impact in the community.

Benefits

Unlimited PTO

Flexible Schedules

Paid Holidays

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401k Match

Professional Development Stipend

Wellness Support

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred with 7-10 years in applied research.
• Experience in community-engaged evaluation processes required.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of quality improvement strategies and evaluation tools.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for internal and external use.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Data Analysis

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication Skills

Project Management

Innovative Solutions

Presentation Skills

Education

Master’s Degree

Relevant Certifications in Evaluation

Tools

Microsoft Office

SPSS

R

NVIVO

Data Visualization Tools

Job description

About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to end school shootings, and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. Through its life-saving evidence-informed Know the Signs prevention programs, SHP educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. SHP is a moderate, bipartisan organization that supports sensible policy solutions that address the human side of gun violence and make schools safer.

SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

Commitment to Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

SHP strives to ensure its culture and work environment reflects the values of race, diversity, equity, and inclusion (REDI) and is responsive to the views and issues of the diverse communities with which we live and work. SHP encourages individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to equity and inclusion to apply.

About the Role
The Director of Quality Improvement will lead the development and implementation of a quality improvement strategy focused on continuous learning. This will include overseeing the governance of formative evaluations, managing the collection and organization of data across SHP’s program portfolio, and monitoring progress. The Director will create evaluation tools and strategies to enhance program effectiveness, ensuring alignment with short, medium, and long-term outcomes as defined by the theory of change. This person will report to the Vice President of Research, Evaluation and Quality Improvement.

A key responsibility for this Director will be translating complex data and evaluation results into actionable insights, sharing these findings both internally for continuous improvement and externally to demonstrate the effectiveness of SHP’s practices. The Director will also serve as a subject matter expert, guiding internal teams on how to apply insights to improve program strategies, tactics, and operations. Additionally, the Director will provide ongoing recommendations to refine programs based on evaluation findings.

Location
We are a U.S. based organization and most of our staff work remotely. This role will require up to 30% travel on an as-needed basis.

Job Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to)

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to implement a continuous quality improvement system and plan that translates formative evaluation learnings to improve existing prevention and intervention programs.
• Direct the development and implementation of a multi-year continuous learning and quality improvement roadmap that includes but is not limited to building out data visualization tools and resources to support field-facing teams in managing partnerships and to monitor program quality and effectiveness.
• Design and direct formative evaluation studies utilizing stakeholder engaged processes and ensure alignment with our Theory of Change. Oversee the progress of all ongoing formative evaluations, i.e. end-to-end project management. Direct other types of studies as needed.
• Analyze, interpret, and report on qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods formative study findings for diverse audiences.
• Lead community-engaged formative evaluation dissemination reporting activities.
• Supervise work of evaluation consultants and related processes, as needed.
• Ensure evaluation protocols follow human subject protections, are IRB compliant, and are ethically and responsibly implemented.
• Contribute to funding proposals, R&E publications, conference presentations, and/or other dissemination activities as a co-author and/or presenter.
• Provide regular evaluation briefings to leadership teams as directed.
• Conduct environmental scans and help perform literature reviews as part of ongoing trend research, to remain relevant on the latest insights that may have an impact on the SHP evidence-building roadmap.
• Represent team in working groups and lead initiatives as needed.
• Leverage insights to inform operational duties to such as annual planning, budgeting, concept paper development and the identification of funding priorities to support quality improvement and evidence-building.
• Develop and facilitate training opportunities for internal and external audiences as needed.
• A commitment to SHP's vision and values.
• Work and collaborate with teammates from across the organization as necessary.
• Performs other duties as required.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree (strongly preferred) with 7-10 years of relevant professional experience in applied research within human services, education, or community-based organizations.
  • Relevant education, training, or certifications in measurement, program evaluation, statistics, and data analytics.
• Proven experience utilizing stakeholder and/or community-engaged evaluation processes.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to find innovative, efficient, and effective solutions to challenges.
• Skilled communicator, able to present and adapt research and information in written, electronic, and oral formats for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex data and convey it in clear, compelling narratives.
• Experience with program fidelity and implementation science.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to engage and inform diverse groups.
• Experience with Logic Models and Theories of Change.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and take ownership of decision-making.
• Proactive and decisive, with a track record of identifying and addressing problems effectively.
• Strong project management skills – able to manage and complete tasks and meet project deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy and excellent proofreading skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, SPSS/Stata/R, NVIVO/Dedoose, and data visualization tools.
• Commitment to fostering a learning culture, continuous quality improvement, and integrating REDI (Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) practices into CQI processes.
• Experience in program development and/or change management is a plus.

Benefits and Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $93,000-$103,000.
(SHP follows a strict internal rubric to help guide salary placement and ensure equitable pay amongst new hires and current staff. New hires should expect to be brought on at the start of the range, except in extenuating circumstances.)

• SHP offers a competitive benefits package, including:
• Unlimited PTO
• Flexible schedules
• Paid holidays and 10 days sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Health, dental, and vision
• Employer paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability
• 401k match
• Professional development stipend
• Wellness & mental health support
• Employer Paid Employee Assistance Program.

Our organization operates within a distributed workforce, allowing for location flexibility across the country for most positions. We provide remote office support for all staff, which includes a laptop, home office reimbursement, monthly Wi-Fi reimbursement up to $40, and monthly cell phone reimbursement up to $50.

Additional Instructions

• Internal applicants have until Thursday, January 16, 2025, to submit their application. Please contact HR once you have applied.
• All other applicants have until February 28, 2025, to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employment

SHP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be an employer of choice: where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and do their best work. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are focused on promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion and believe deeply in having a workforce comprised of people of all beliefs and backgrounds who seek to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life. Members of all under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.