Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation

Liliuokalani Trust; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Liliʻuokalani Trust in Hawaii seeks a Senior Manager, Research & Evaluation to lead a portfolio of research and evaluation projects and embed evaluation across LT programs.

You will coach teams, design evaluation methods, and build data tools to inform strategic decisions, program planning, and policy; support cross-department data initiatives and publish findings to advance Native Hawaiian wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree that includes advanced study of social science research and/or evaluation methods or Master’s degree with 8-10 years of equivalent experience.
• Progressively-responsible, directly-related work experience, including conducting developmental evaluation: 3-5 years
• Facilitative leadership and mentorship training and experience: 3-5 years
• Experience coaching knowledge workers: 3-5 years
• Possess the cultural knowledge and skills to work respectfully and effectively in a Hawaiian-serving organization and with local communities.
• Tolerance for ambiguity, emergence, and divergent work
• Systems thinking, critical thinking skills, and creative problem solving
• Ability to build strong relationships and provide responsive evaluation, data, and learning support across a center with diverse staff, multiple program areas, and rapidly evolving priorities and strategies
• Proficient in all phases of the social science research/evaluation process to include but not limited to:
• Design of research and evaluation studies, including developmental evaluations
• Design of data collection tools and methods
• Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
• Responsiveness to key aspects of the context of in which the research and evaluation studies will be conducted
• Expertise in or ability to quickly acquire necessary level of knowledge about the needs, programs, or services to be researched or evaluated
• Effective oral, written, and visual communication
• Understanding of adult learners and coaching strategies
• Project management skills (intermediate to advanced)
• Ability to effectively oversee a rich, diverse portfolio of projects and manage them to timely completion; to identify priorities aligned with organizational needs when faced with resource challenges

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a Research and Evaluation agenda guiding strategic, tactical, and operational decisions
• Lead portfolio of research, assessment, and evaluation projects
• Co-lead development of standard evaluation methods and data collection tools
• Support LT's assessment tools updates
• Serve as embedded evaluation partner for the Liliʻuokalani Center and other programs
• Collaborate to interpret data and strengthen program planning and delivery
• Clarify needs, goals, and assets; identify proven or promising practices
• Align needs and program plans to increase impact
• Lead organization-wide evaluations of collaborations and data dashboards
• Coach Research and Evaluation Managers and build LT capacity
• Share information with external policymakers and leaders of community organizations
• Communicate results clearly; build partnerships with Hawaiian communities

Skills

Facilitative leadership

Mentorship training

Coaching knowledge workers

Systems thinking

Critical thinking

Creative problem solving

Communication skills

Project management

Relationship building

Data-informed decision making

Education

Doctoral degree in social science research/evaluation

Master’s degree with 8-10 years of equivalent experience

Job description

Job Purpose

LT believes that knowledge-based decisions lead to more effective and efficient use of organizational resources in pursuit of our mission. The Senior Manager, Research & Evaluation helps the Director build and sustain an organization-wide culture that uses research and evaluation to inform strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. This role leads a portfolio of research and evaluation projects, supports cross-department data initiatives, and serves as the embedded evaluation partner to the Liliʻuokalani Center.

Research & Evaluation Strategy

Design and implement a Research and Evaluation agenda that identifies timely , high-priority questions to guide strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making, including questions likely to become important for future planning

Build and lead a portfolio of research , assessment, and evaluation projects at the strategic and tactical levels

Co-lead the development of standard evaluation methods and data collection tools for program evaluation

Support the development of and updates to LTʻs assessment tools

Program Partnership

Serve as the embedded evaluation partner for the Liliʻuokalani Center and other programs as determined necessary and appropriate , supporting teammates with assessment, program evaluation, developmental evaluation, and data-informed decision-making

Collaborate with program and operations teammates to interpret data from a wide range of sources and utilize it to strengthen program and service planning and delivery

Assist in the design of strategies, tactics, programs, and services by bringing the research and evaluation toolkit into partnership with program teammates, including:

• Clarifying the needs, interests, and assets of those to be served
• Clarifying the program and service goals and objectives
• Identifying proven or promising practices
• Critically examining the alignment of needs/assets, goals and objectives , and program plans to increase the impact of LT programs and services

Organization-Wide Decision Support

Support strategic and operational decision-making at the organizational level by:

• Leading evaluations of organization-wide collaborations, systems-change initiatives, an case management change
• Collaborating on the development of accessible data tools, including dashboards, reports, information graphics, and other tools that decision makers at all levels can easily access and use

Capacity Building & Coaching

Coach Research and Evaluation Managers and build capacity across LT among frontline teammates and other professionals so that they can conduct, interpret, and apply research and evaluation findings, including strengthening the capacity of the Research and Evaluation team to engage i n research, evaluation, facilitation, and project leadership

External Engagement

Build the capacity, as appropriate , through the sharing of relevant and accessible information, of decision makers beyond LT to apply research and evaluation knowledge to decisions affecting Native Hawaiian wellbeing, including sharing resources with external policymakers and leaders of smaller community -based organizations and local collaborativecs

Communicate the results of research and evaluation work in a clear, easily accessible manner

Form and sustain collegial partnerships with other organi z ations that serve the Hawaiian community and the broader public to improve the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians

Contribute to the advancement of knowledge on Native Hawaiian wellbeing in the field through journal-quality publications, presentations, contributions to professional associations, and participation in partner meetings, as appropriate

Other duties

Contribute to the Trustʻs success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organizational resuts

Qualifications

Preferred education and experience :

• Doctoral degree that includes advanced study of social science research and /or e valuation methods or Master’s degree with 8- 10 years of equivalent experience.
• Progressively-responsible , directly-related work experience , including conducting developmental evaluation : 3-5 years
• Facilitative leadership and mentorship training and experience : 3-5 years
• Experience coaching knowledge workers : 3-5 years
• Possess the cultural knowledge and skills to work respectfully and effectively in a Hawaiian-serving organization and with local communities .
• Tolerance for ambiguity , emergence, and divergent work
• Systems thinking , critical thinking skills, and creative problem solving
• Ability to build strong relationships and provide responsive evaluation, data, and learning support across a center with diverse staff, multiple program areas, and rapidly evolving priorities and strategies .
• Proficient in all phases of the social science research/evaluation process to include but not limited to:
• Design of r ese arch and evaluation studies , including developmental evaluations
• Design of data collection tools and methods
• Analysis of q uantitati ve and qualitative data
• Responsiveness to key aspects of the context of in which the research and evaluation studies will be conducted
• Expertise in or ability to quickly acquire necessary level of knowledge about the needs, programs , or services to be researched or evaluated
• Effective oral, written, and visual c ommunication
• Understanding of adult learners and coaching strategies
• Project management skills (intermediate to advanced)
• Ability to effectively oversee a rich, diverse portfolio of projects and manage them to timely completion; to identify priorities aligned with organizational needs when faced with resource challenges

Alignment with Queen’s legacy:

Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.

Hoʻomau i ka ʻImi Naʻ auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement) : Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement .

Hoʻike i na Manaʻ o Pono (Effective Communication) : Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action .

Noʻonoʻ o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations

Hoʻo kumu aʻ e or ʻ Imi hakuhia (Innovation) : Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.

Pilina Hoʻohana a me ka Hana Hilinaʻ i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust) : Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward.

Alu Like i ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives .

Hoʻonui i ka ʻ Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Mental and Physical Demands:

Perform light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting weight of up to 25 pounds. Exposed to outdoor climate and diverse terrain.

Terms and Conditions Employment

As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.

Job Title: Senior Manager, Research & Evaluation

Reports to: Director, Research & Evaluation

FLSA Status: FT; Exempt

Aligned Executive: Chief Impact Officer

Department: Impact & Evaluation

Liliʻuokalani Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to recruit, train, and retain innovative talent from a diverse candidate pool. All employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, marital/civil union status, arrest and court record, domestic or sexual violence victim status, credit history, disability or veteran/military status or other applicable legally protected characteristics.