Description

The Programs & Research and Evaluation Senior Director works under the direction of the Chief Program & Evaluation Officer and is a member of the senior leadership team responsible for leading an integrated portfolio combining program strategy development, implementation, and evaluation. The Senior Director oversees the planning and execution of agency-wide research, strategy development and implementation, and evaluation studies in alignment to the FTF Strategic Plan. Simultaneously, this position is responsible for directing programmatic grant processes and technical assistance to ensure strategies are supported by research evidence and best practice, aligned with regional needs and Board priorities, and connected to measurable outcomes. Additionally, the Senior Director oversees data systems development, manages vendor performance, disseminates findings to key stakeholders, and provides direct supervision to Program and Evaluation Specialists.

Program Leadership & Strategy Development and Implementation

     Supervise and support Program Specialists in the development, revision, and implementation of early education, literacy and family support and children’s health strategies, services, and programs, ensuring alignment with current research evidence, effective practices, and regional/tribal needs.

     Lead the programmatic aspects of the grant process—including development and revision of standards of practice, scopes of work, and theories of change—ensuring work is cohesive, supported by research evidence, and connected to outcomes.

     Develop and implement an approach to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to monitor program implementation, provide timely technical assistance and ensure grant partner accountability.

     Guide Program Specialists to use data to support staff across FTF teams and FTF councils with strategy implementation and strategic priorities.

     Possess strong communication skills to lead and facilitate discussions with regional councils, state agencies and other system partners, and grant partners to solicit and listen to feedback, navigate differing perspectives, communicate planned changes, rationale and decisions clearly to build shared understanding. Additionally, synthesize and incorporate relevant feedback into strategy development and revisions and work products.

     Knowledge of current research and issues, including effective programs and policy related to the early childhood system.

     Inform FTF strategies, decision-making, and policy work using latest research available on early childhood topics, including emerging state and national issues affecting Arizona.

Research & Evaluation Oversight

     Lead and supervise Evaluation Specialists in analysis of statewide and regional strategy implementation and outcome data collection, monitoring and reporting, as well as population-level and/or programmatic early childhood data, to identify trends that inform program and policy implications.

     Plan and manage multiple studies (e.g., statutorily required studies, strategy-specific studies) and other ad hoc projects identified as part of executing the FTF Strategic Plan. This includes, establishing goals with the Chief Program/Data Officer, setting timelines, effectively communicating priorities to FTF colleagues, developing project scopes of work including methodology/design, developing deliverable plans, and managing vendor performance to meet deliverables.

     Coordinate with the FTF Tribal Relations team to plan implementation data efforts, tribal regional studies and develop related materials (e.g., tribal approval documents) in compliance with the FTF Tribal Data Policy.

     Lead efforts and/or direct Program and Evaluation Specialists in the development of data systems with internal IT staff and/or external contractors (e.g., Early Childhood Workforce Registry) to support grant partner data submission that will inform strategy outcomes. This is inclusive of developing business requirements, planning data system design and specific fields, writing report logic and codebook, and providing overall direction to IT report writers, for internal and external systems.

     Summarize analytical results in technical data reports, policy briefs, and presentations tailored for the FTF Board, Regional Councils, staff, and external stakeholder groups.

     Meet with FTF Regional Councils, staff, and local stakeholders to collect input related to FTF research and evaluation activities.

Early Childhood System Work and Data System Integration

     Represent First Things First in statewide early childhood coalitions, advisory groups, workgroups, and other cross-agency initiatives, providing programmatic and early childhood systems expertise and advancing coordination and alignment among state, local, tribal, public, and private partners.

     Represent FTF with state and local partners to develop shared data fields and related protocols and processes towards accessing data as part of FTF research and evaluation efforts and Early Childhood System work.

     Convene cross-agency/system partner committees to gather stakeholder input to identify opportunities for alignment and coordination, build shared understanding, and support collaborative solutions that improve services and outcomes for young children and families and strengthen the Arizona early childhood system.

       Provide strategic leadership in connecting and leveraging data across FTF and partner systems to answer broader programmatic, policy, and early childhood systems questions. Identify opportunities to link or integrate data sources, develop cross-system questions and analytical approaches. Additionally, collaborate with agency partners, IT, and other stakeholders to use data to better understand service reach, system interactions, gaps, outcomes, and opportunities for improvement.

     Collaborate with FTF IT, Finance, and External Affairs staff (e.g., Communications, Tribal Relations) to handle data exchanges/data sharing agreements (e.g., MOUs), data security and maintenance protocols, as well as policies related to public dissemination of data.

 Supervision & Cross-Functional Support

     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 (CFTs), providing evaluation, reporting, and data expertise to support regional councils and staff through tools, training, and strategic guidance.

     Collaborate with other Senior Directors to support shared agency work, such as grant application processes and programmatic improvement initiatives.

     Perform duties in a manner that supports the internal culture and mission with respect and cooperation.

Support additional opportunities as related to the role and Program & Research and Evaluation functions.

Requirements

     Doctoral degree (PhD) with three years of experience or Master’s degree with five years of experience in early childhood development/education, developmental psychology, research methodology, public health, social work, public policy, public administration, educational psychology, or related field. Doctoral degree (PhD) is preferred.

     Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to collaborate within and between teams, give and receive constructive feedback, work independently, take initiative, and be self-directed.

     Exceptional personal and professional integrity and credibility with the propensity to identify areas for self-improvement.

     Demonstrates flexibility and ability to adapt to changing demands to manage multiple and often simultaneous tasks with accuracy while meeting deadlines; demonstrates strong critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills.

     Experience in leading/mentoring team members through professional growth, constructive feedback, and regular coaching. Ability to build a collaborative, equitable work culture that supports diverse team perspectives and builds morale, while motivating staff to meet deadlines.

     Demonstrated experience in both program development/implementation and research/evaluation methodologies within early childhood or human services systems.

     Experience with statistical software (e.g., SPSS) to manage data sets (including codebooks and syntax); conduct quantitative data analyses ranging from descriptive to multivariate analyses (including trend analyses); and conduct qualitative data analyses.

     Experience creating data reports, inclusive of the ability to communicate a blueprint and/or report specifications and logic to internal IT staff and/or external database vendors.

     Adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict and crisis; ability to discern and be tactful; attentive to the perspectives and competing interests of various internal and external stakeholders; effectively handle situations requiring tact, judgment, and composure; discernment in communication with staff members from various levels of the organization, including executive leadership.