Title: Director, Research and EvaluationReports To: Vice President of Community ImpactType: Full Time, ExemptLocation: Hybrid, Charlotte, NCUnited Way of Greater Charlotte is boldly investing in what if. When Charlotte ranked last in the nation for economic mobility, United Way challenged ourselves and others to ask what if every ALICE household, those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, working hard but still struggling to afford the basics, had the resources to build lasting financial stability? And what if every neighborhood had equal access to opportunity? In response, United Way is going directly to where the needs are greatest, bringing new voices to the table and working alongside ALICE families to close the gap between income and the true cost of living. We believe that by challenging the what ifs and moving together in hope, we can build thriving communities where every household can get ahead, not just get by. About the RoleThe Director of Research and Evaluation leads UWGC's data strategy and program evaluation efforts across our four-county footprint of Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, and Union counties. This role builds and strengthens the systems that make data accessible and actionable, with an eye toward long-term growth, sustainability, and program refinement. As UWGC advances a collective impact approach to community change, this role serves as a backbone function for shared measurement, helping UWGC and its partners align around common goals and track progress together. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Community Impact, the Director works across the organization to bring clarity, rigor, and actionable insight to complex questions, and to help programs, funders, and leadership understand what is working and why.The ideal candidate has significant experience with data management, program evaluation, and outcome reporting, ideally in a nonprofit or community impact setting grounded in community-based participatory research and approaches the work with a holistic view of how programs connect to outcomes. The role requires strong analytical judgment, the confidence to guide staff and leadership through evaluation decisions, and the ability to translate complex data into insight and storytelling that funders, board members, and program staff find compelling. What You'll DoBuild Evaluation Culture and CapacityGuide UWGC in building a culture of learning that uses data and measurable outcomes to refine and improve programs and community initiativesCollaborate with staff and community partners to design and implement evaluation tools and plans, using quantitative and qualitative methods as appropriateCreate and monitor systems that use data to give partners ongoing feedback and support, particularly to advance collective impact initiativesOrchestrate conversations with UWGC staff, partners, and other stakeholders to determine metrics and benchmarks for success, both within individual programs and across collective impact initiativesCoordinate research and evaluation efforts with other key community initiatives and partner organizations to avoid duplication and strengthen shared learningOwn and maintain a research agenda that supports UWGC's Community Impact work, and consistently compile and present research to inform initiatives and educate stakeholders on key community issuesServe as a translator between academic research and practice, turning complex data into insight and storytelling that is accessible to funders, board members, and community stakeholdersBuild the data collection and analysis capacity of partner agencies through training, coaching, and shared tools and resourcesDevelop data sharing agreements and protocols that support secure, responsible exchange of information across UWGC and its community partnerData Strategy and AnalysisCollaborate with leadership and staff to develop, oversee, and implement evaluation plans, logic models, data collection tools, and protocols for active programs and initiativesGenerate measurable data for UWGC's internal and external stakeholders, and write or contribute to grant proposals and funder reports drawing on research and evaluation findingsContribute to the development, maintenance, and improvement of data monitoring and reporting systems; conduct regular data cleaning and analysis to detect trends and gaps and surface recommendationsManage and analyze qualitative and quantitative evaluation data, strengthen the reliability of collected data, and partner with management and frontline staff on evaluation and quality improvementData Systems and OperationsAssess and monitor UWGC's case management and data systems, and design and implement reporting to ensure accurate, timely capture of key dataSupport staff as they input and use program and outcome data; ensure complete and accurate data entry through regular training and maintenance; troubleshoot data quality issues and lead cleanup and reporting effortsDesign, modify, and oversee client and community data collection instruments such as surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews; create or revise tools to better align with program outcomesSupport system enhancements, including platform migrations, when neededTeam Leadership and RepresentationManage and mentor staff, providing hiring, coaching, and performance management for direct reportsOwn the administrative and operational aspects of research and evaluation, including budget, staffing, application design, and data collection logisticsRepresent UWGC's research and evaluation work at community events, conferences, and speaking engagements What You BringBachelor's degree required; master's degree in a related field preferredFive or more years of progressive experience in data and program evaluation, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experiencePrevious supervisory experience, including hiring, coaching, and performance management of direct reportsExpertise designing and implementing evaluation frameworks and methodologiesExperience with mixed methods data collection and analysisExperience with relevant data management systems; nonprofit case management or CRM platform experience is a plusProficiency with data analysis and survey software such as SAS, SPSS, GIS tools, Tableau, Qualtrics, or Survey Monkey; experience leveraging generative AI in evaluation is a plusIntermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)Strong project management skills, including budget planning, timeline management, and resource allocationDeep understanding of data equity principles and the ability to apply them to evaluation workFamiliarity with collective impact and shared measurement frameworks, and the ability to apply them in a multi-partner community settingStrong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex concepts and translate their meaning for varied audiencesExcellent organizational and writing skills, and strong verbal and public presentation skillsExperience writing or contributing to grant proposals and funder reports is a plusFamiliarity with research on economic mobility and its associated drivers is a plusAbility to engage credibly with executive stakeholders, funders, and community partners How We'll Know It's WorkingPrograms and leadership use evaluation data to inform strategy, refine services, and strengthen funding and advocacy effortsUWGC's data collection and reporting systems capture accurate, timely, and actionable information across programsBoard members, funders, and staff receive clear, compelling reporting on outcomes and impactData equity principles are visibly reflected in how UWGC gathers, analyzes, and shares information about the communities we serveStaff across the organization see the Research and Evaluation function as a trusted, responsive partner Workplace valuesRespect • Appreciation • Authenticity • Excellence • Empathy • Collaboration