Data & Research Sr. Manager

Senior Manager, Data and Research

Strategic Insight & Ecosystem Learning

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports to Vice President

About the Organization

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) is an independent nonprofit organization that activates community support, connects partners, and advances effective ideas for the success of all students. JPEF serves as a trusted civic intermediary that brings together educators, families, community organizations, employers, higher education institutions, philanthropy, and public-sector leaders to accelerate progress for students and strengthen long-term opportunity across Jacksonville.

The organization’s FY2027–2030 strategic framework reflects a growing emphasis on ecosystem alignment, strategic learning, innovation, and civic engagement around student success and future readiness.

JPEF has a highly engaged board, significant fiscal resources, and talented staff to drive the organization's work. The fast-paced and entrepreneurial organization has more than a decade-long track record of helping public schools significantly improve outcomes for students through innovative, community-focused, and data-driven solutions.

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Data & Research leads JPEF's external research and evidence function. This role is responsible for producing the research products, impact analyses, and data briefs that anchor JPEF's public credibility and support our partnerships with employers, funders, and civic leaders. The position is a core contributor to the Education Innovation Fund campaign, providing evidence that makes the case for investment in Jacksonville's future-ready education ecosystem.

This role reports directly to the Vice President and works in close coordination with the Director of Strategic Initiatives on shared data needs that cross program and research functions. The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, collaborative, mission-driven, and excited to help shape emerging work at the intersection of education, research, civic engagement, and future-ready learning.

Responsibilities

Research and Evidence Production

• Lead development of JPEF's annual State of Education framing, synthesizing local and national data into accessible narrative for civic and funder audiences
• Design and produce research briefs, impact analyses, and data summaries that support public-private partnerships, grant applications, and public communications
• Build and maintain JPEF's evidence base on future-ready competencies, workforce alignment, and post-secondary outcomes
• Support research, impact measurement, and storytelling efforts that identify the skills Jacksonville’s future workforce requires and demonstrate how JPEF’s programs, partnerships, and investments are helping students become future ready.

Data Infrastructure and Quality

• Manage external data sources and maintain data integrity across JPEF's research portfolio
• Develop data visualization and presentation formats that translate complex findings for non-technical audiences
• Ensure research products meet standards for accuracy, appropriate sourcing, and methodological soundness
• Coordinate with the Senior Manager, Data & Research (program-facing) on shared datasets and avoid duplication of data infrastructure

Partner and Funder Support

• Produce research materials that support JPEF's external partnerships, including research briefs and funder impact reports
• Support due diligence and documentation for the Education Innovation Fund, including outcome frameworks and accountability structures
• Contribute to grant writing and reporting by providing data analysis and research synthesis as requested

Collaboration and Communication

• Work with the communications team to translate research findings into public-facing content
• Present findings to internal and external audiences including board members, funders, and community partners
• Participate in Future Ready Forum design by providing the data and evidence backbone for forum content
• Compile and analyze the themes coming out of Future Ready Forums to share back to JPEF’s stakeholders.

Other

• Actively participate in internal meetings, work sessions, and retreats with a focus on collaborating cross-functionally, strategizing, and evaluating effectiveness.
• Support other program efforts as overall JPEF strategies or priorities dictate.
• Represent JPEF at external events and model JPEF’s core values.

Qualifications

Education/Career Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social sciences, public policy, data science, or related field required, graduate degree preferred.
• At least four years of experience in research, data analysis, or policy analysis, preferably in an education or nonprofit context
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data into clear, accessible written products for non-technical audiences
• Experience with education data systems, workforce data, or post-secondary outcome research is preferred.
• Experience supporting capital campaigns, major fundraising initiatives, or external partnership development is preferred.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of K-12 education research and data systems with some knowledge of Florida’s education data system.
• Experience and comfort organizing and conducting original qualitative and quantitative data collection, such as interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and experience managing multiple data sources. Comfort analyzing complex statistical models and visualizing/ telling stories with data using statistics software packages (e.g., STATA, SPSS, Nvivo, Tableau, Salesforce, Dedoose).
• Very strong communication and public presentation skills, including the ability to provide compelling, detailed, data-driven answers to questions about education policies and produce polished reports and briefs
• Collaborative working style with the ability to coordinate across teams and manage competing priorities
• Familiarity with strategic foresight, futures thinking, or scenario planning methodologies is preferred.
• Ability to maintain and respect the sensitive, private, and confidential nature of information related to grants, donors, advisors, and the organization.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize deliverables, and handle unanticipated demands and requests.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a collaborative style with the ability to engage colleagues at all levels.
• Confidence to work internally and externally with various leaders, partners, staff, and consultants to support the organization’s efforts.
• Experience and comfort working with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Office applications, Teams), online communications tools (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and various web-based applications.

General

• Clear commitment to the importance of providing a high-quality public education for all students in Jacksonville, particularly historically underserved student populations.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline- and goal-driven organization.
• Excitement and openness to continued learning and development.
• Knowledge of Jacksonville is preferred but not required.

Salary and Benefits

The compensation for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. JPEF provides a comprehensive benefits package to regular, full-time employees that includes employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance; a generous employer contribution to medical, dental, and vision insurance; and a 100% employer match to a 401(k) retirement plan up to 5% of the employee's salary. Additionally, regular, full-time employees receive 16 paid holidays and accrue 4 weeks of PTO annually.

Commitment to Diversity

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to creating an environment where staff and stakeholders from all backgrounds can thrive.