Associate Director of Insight and Evaluation

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Insights and Evaluation will lead evaluation partnerships that empower program leaders with data-driven insights to drive strategic decision-making. This role will align evaluation objectives with PRI’s key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring effective data use for continuous improvement. This position includes supervising members of the Data and Evaluation team and advancing strategies, analyses, and technological solutions for data access. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Internal Evaluation Practices:

• Design and oversee project-management processes and procedures

• Guide PRI and school-based staff in building capacity for data collection, analysis, and interpretation

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement in assessing and adjusting program interventions

• Design strategies to support evaluation processes and ensure timely action

• Engage teams across departments to integrate evaluation findings into planning and decision-making

• Propose impactful solutions grounded in data and evidence

Data Governance Leadership (In Collaboration with Data & Evaluation Team Leadership):

• Facilitate the implementation of data governance policies and processes

• Support plans to educate PRI and school-based staff on data quality standards, privacy, and security measures to ensure compliance

• Collaborate with IT and data management teams to support governance policies and processes

• Lead initiatives to improve data stewardship and literacy across the organization

Collaboration and Consultation:

• Foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing guidance and support to ensure data-driven decision-making and project success

• Assist in managing timelines, resources, and communication across teams

• Collaborate with PRI leaders and external partners to identify research priorities and design evaluation plans that support long-term project planning and management

Reporting and Communication:

• Communicate evaluation findings through reports, presentations, and other means

• Facilitate the collaborative design of data storytelling tools (dashboards, presentations, reports) for the Executive Team, internal departments, external partners, and national audiences

• Present evidence to stakeholders showing the need for and effectiveness of services

Continuous Improvement:

• Regularly evaluate and improve data collection and evaluation methodologies to ensure alignment with program goals

• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed

Position Location & Schedule

The position will be considered for remote work with local, state, and sometimes national travel required.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work as a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Education, Public Policy, or a related field (or a Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience)

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in data analysis, data-informed decision making, project management and program evaluation

Experience preferred:

• At least 1 year of people management experience

• Experience in the education sector or with educational grant programs

• Familiarity with FERPA regulations and data privacy standards

• Experience conducting training and capacity-building activities related to data analysis and evaluation

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS) and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI)

• Strong understanding of advanced statistical methods and their applications in program evaluation

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with keen attention to detail

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex data findings

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders

• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and ethical practice

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work in a high-energy office

• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs

• Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer software programs

• Ability to operate motor vehicle

• Ability to travel independently by car and plane both locally and nationally

Environmental conditions:

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities

Additional Company Information

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.

• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.

• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.

• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.

• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.