Community Engaged Data Coordinator

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

The Data Coordinator will be situated within the Division of Community Engagement and will be responsible for the coordination, implementation, and daily management of a partnership database at VCU. This role oversees the implementation process, working closely with faculty and staff to support them in entering partnership data into Collaboratory https://cecollaboratory.com/. Collaboratory is a unique tool that helps institutions track and understand their community engagement efforts—who is involved, what activities are taking place, where they occur, and why they are happening. By centralizing this information, Collaboratory makes it easy to access data and generate reports for accreditation, applications, recognitions, and grants. It also provides a platform for faculty and staff to share their stories, while community members can explore and learn through its public website. The university has recently acquired Collaboratory and is currently in the onboarding phase, with the rollout expected in Spring 2025. 

The Data Coordinator will manage the day-to-day operations related to partnership data and Collaboratory, ensuring its effective use across departments and maintaining smooth functionality. They will generate data reports for individual units and broader reports for the university, working with both internal and external partners to leverage these reports in support of the university’s mission, particularly in the area of community engagement. The Coordinator will also troubleshoot issues, develop a university-wide implementation plan, and engage different units to demonstrate the platform's benefits, including its reporting capabilities.

In addition, the Coordinator will collaborate closely with the Division of Community Engagement team and leadership to ensure the successful rollout and ongoing database updates. The ideal candidate will have a vision for institution-wide connection and the strategic use of community engagement data. They will also have experience in higher education community engagement, data analysis, and strong communication skills to effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders. While the primary focus of this role will be on managing and implementing Collaboratory, the Data Coordinator will also be involved in broader partnership-related data efforts. This includes assisting the Division of Community Engagement in capturing partnership activities, documenting engagement efforts, and collecting community engagement data on outcomes. In addition to Collaboratory-specific responsibilities, the Coordinator will support the division’s broader goal of tracking and analyzing community-engaged partnerships across departments, ensuring that the data reflects the full scope of the university’s impact and informs future initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and manage the implementation of Collaboratory.

• Oversee daily operations of partnership data, data entry, and troubleshooting.

• Work closely with faculty, staff, and students to support data input and reporting.

• Supervise students in data entry and partnership identification.

• Generate reports and leverage data to inform strategic decisions.

• Collaborate with internal and external partners to promote community engagement efforts.

• Support broader community engagement data management efforts

• Support the Division of Community Engagement in capturing and maintaining records of partnership activities and engagement efforts across departments.

Minimum Requirements:  

- Master's degree in Education, Social Work, Public Health (MPH), or a related field or equivalent professional experience. 

- Expertise in community engagement within higher education settings.  

- Demonstrated knowledge of data analysis, data visualization, and reporting tools.  

- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups, including faculty, students, staff, and community members.  

- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

- Proficient in managing data systems, with experience in platforms such as Collaboratory or similar data management tools.  

- Strong project coordination skills 

- Strong organizational and planning skills.

Preferred Qualifications:  

- Previous experience with community-engaged research or other forms of engaged scholarship.  

- Previous experience in roles such as helper, trainer, or teacher, with the ability to collaborate with others on data-related tasks, including visualization and reporting.

- Experience working with cross-disciplinary teams to achieve data-driven outcomes.