Managing Director, Knowledge Center, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

Posted by United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey on February 23, 2021

United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey’s mission is to end intergenerational poverty in our region by harnessing, leveraging and strategically investing the collective power of donors, advocates, and volunteers, to help individuals and families break the cycle of poverty.

Role Summary: United Way is seeking an experienced Managing Director to help lead data collection and evaluation efforts for the Knowledge Center, the evidence hub for the Poverty Action Fund, a city-wide public/private partnership in Philadelphia, and future regional collaborations. The Knowledge Center will provide continuous measurement, accountability, and learning to maximize the value of poverty reduction investments.

Reports to: The CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey

Position Description

The Managing Director will be responsible for developing, designing, implementing, and leading the programs and activities of the Knowledge Center. The Managing Director’s primary role is to work with the United Way and the Knowledge Center Advisory Committee to design and develop strategies that align with and fulfill the Poverty Action Fund’s strategic plan. The Managing Director will manage internal data and facilitate the data to be used to advance the Knowledge Center’s efforts related to program evaluation, communications, and grantee management. The position requires a blend of program management, program design and evaluation, and responsiveness to data and impact assessment needs in the areas of poverty reduction and nonprofit service delivery.

Successful candidates will have programmatic experience, and technical capability or experience in data management, information science, program evaluation, or other related fields in the context of using data for program management and impact. Successful candidates will have demonstrated abilities in translating data into useful information for program impact, program evaluation, and communications pieces for broader audiences.

The Managing Director will play a key role in helping streamline evidence-focused grantmaking processes and support high-performing community organizations and partnerships. In the first major initiative of the Knowledge Center, the Managing Director will drive the measurement and accountability efforts related to the Philadelphia Poverty Action Fund, a joint effort between United Way, the City of Philadelphia and private philanthropy to reduce Philadelphia’s poverty rate and create opportunities for an equitable recovery from the economic collapse. The Philadelphia Poverty Action Fund will be grounded in measurement, accountability, and learning. The Knowledge Center will provide a hub for data collection, assessment, transparent reporting, and continuous learning and adaptation.

The Knowledge Center Will Serve Four Primary Functions:

• Set the overarching goals and measurement strategy
• Provide technical assistance for data collection and reporting to selected grantees to ensure high quality data and evidence
• Evaluate implementation and short-and long-term program outcomes
• Conduct primary research on poverty trends in Philadelphia and comparison cities to inform strategy

Learn more and apply