Vice President of Data & Learning

THE ROLE 

The Vice President (VP) of Data & Learning leads Pahara's data collection, analysis, and organizational learning strategy. This role ensures that data is leveraged effectively to drive decision-making, demonstrate impact, and enable continuous improvement across all programs and operations. The VP of Data & Learning develops systems and practices that build a data-informed culture while also communicating Pahara's impact to external stakeholders. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Area 1: Data Strategy, Analysis, and Insights

• Develop a comprehensive data strategy aligned with organizational goals and priorities
• Increase the speed and accuracy of actionable data that can be used to achieve Pahara's mission and vision
• Define key metrics and indicators that meaningfully reflect Pahara's impact and performance 
• Identify trends, patterns, and correlations in program and operational data
• Lead complex data analysis projects that inform strategic decisions

Area 2: Impact Measurement and Communications

• Partner with program leaders to integrate evaluation into program design and delivery 
• Increase our collective ability to communicate the impact of Pahara's work efficiently and effectively
• Partner with communications staff to integrate data into reports, presentations, and other external materials
• Support fundraising efforts with relevant data on program outcomes and organizational effectiveness
• Lead longitudinal studies that track the influence of Pahara programs over time

Area 3: Data Systems and Infrastructure

• Lead the optimization of CRM and other data management platforms and their integration with other organizational systems
• Establish data standards, policies, and procedures that ensure data quality and security
• Implement data security and privacy protocols that comply with relevant regulations
• Develop solutions for data visualization and reporting that make insights accessible 

Area 4: Organizational Learning

• Foster a culture of inquiry, reflection, and data-informed decision-making
• Develop processes for capturing and applying insights across the organization
• Facilitate learning sessions that help teams interpret and act on data insights
• Create feedback loops that connect data collection to organizational improvement
• Document and share organizational learning through appropriate knowledge management systems 

Area 5: Collaboration and Team Leadership

• Partner with program team to ensure data collection and evaluation meet program needs
• Collaborate with operations teams to implement efficient data collection processes
• Manage the Data Manager and build team capacity through training and development
• Establish clear team goals, roles, and performance expectations
• Identify and address skill gaps through hiring, professional development, or external partnerships 
• Complete other duties at the discretion of your manager

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct supervision of the Data Manager
• Functional leadership for data initiatives across the organization
• Collaboration with and guidance to staff on data collection and analysis 

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Reporting Relationships: The VP of Data & Learning reports to the Executive Vice President of Growth & Operations.
• Work Environment: We are a virtual organization by design, so that our team can work where they have built their lives. Lone Rock, our campus in the Denver area, serves as a hub for our work and as the main location for all in-person events.
• Travel: This position will require significant travel to Lone Rock Campus for various purposes, including organizational meetings and events, operations support during programming, and other job-specific purposes. When at Lone Rock, you must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time at a higher altitude while on campus and occasionally move boxes weighing up to 30 pounds for various needs. Seminar days often begin early and end late, so you should be able to commit to an unconventional schedule when participating in programming, as opposed to a 9am - 5pm schedule.
• Compensation: Pahara provides competitive compensation and an attractive benefits package, including full health care coverage and access to a 401(k) account with a matching contribution policy. The salary for this role is within the salary band for Vice Presidents at Pahara. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Master's degree in data science, evaluation, research methods, or related field preferred
• 8+ years of experience in data management, program evaluation, or related fields
• Experience in education, nonprofit, or social impact assessment preferred
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Expertise in data analysis, visualization, and interpretation
• Knowledge of data management platforms and business intelligence tools
• Experience designing and implementing program evaluation frameworks
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Superior written and verbal communication abilities
• Ability to translate complex data into accessible insights for diverse audiences
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Knowledge of data privacy regulations and ethical data practices
• Ability to travel occasionally for organizational meetings and events
• Proficient with data analysis tools, CRM systems, and relevant technology platforms
• Alignment with Pahara's core values

MUST-HAVES FOR VICE PRESIDENT-LEVEL ROLES

• The VP's primary focus is to lead data strategy and organizational learning for Pahara.
• The VP develops, implements, monitors, and refines data systems and learning practices with high levels of autonomy. They translate organizational needs into effective approaches for gathering, analyzing, and applying data to drive impact and improvement.
• The VP facilitates collaboration across the organization to ensure data quality and usefulness, bringing analytical expertise and evaluation best practices to all aspects of Pahara's work.
• You are a strategic data leader with exceptional analytical abilities. You have demonstrated success in designing evaluation approaches and building data-informed cultures. You are intellectually curious, methodologically rigorous, and committed to continuous learning. You excel at both technical data work and organizational change management.
• You are committed to leveraging data to advance educational transformation. You understand how thoughtful evaluation contributes to organizational effectiveness and program impact. You recognize the connection between data-informed decision-making and achieving educational equity. You believe in Pahara's mission to develop diverse, high-integrity leaders who can redefine public education.
• You excel at making data meaningful and accessible to diverse stakeholders. You communicate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences. You approach data work with integrity and an equity lens. You model Pahara's values through your work and contribute to an organizational culture of learning and improvement.