Title: Director of Evaluation
Boston, Massachusetts
Organizational Overview: Founded in 1990, The Steppingstone Foundation (TSF) develops and implements programs which prepare urban schoolchildren for educational opportunities that lead to college success. Based on the premise that, regardless of circumstance, children can achieve at high levels academically if given the proper preparation and support, Steppingstone programs emphasize rigorous standards and achieve meaningful results:
Steppingstone’s flagship program in Boston is The Steppingstone Academy, which prepares Boston students – called Scholars – to gain admission to competitive independent and public exam schools as a pathway to college. The program begins with a rigorous after-school and summer academic component that spans 14 months and is designed to bridge the gap between where students are academically and where they need to be to succeed at a college-preparatory school. Following the academic component, Steppingstone provides comprehensive support services to ensure that Scholars succeed at school and ultimately graduate from four-year colleges. To date, 90% of Steppingstone Academy graduates have been admitted to an independent or exam school, 99% of those tracked have graduated from high school, and 92% have gone on to four-year colleges. Over 80% of Scholars have graduated from four-year colleges. The Steppingstone Academy has been replicated in Philadelphia and Hartford.
In 2011, TSF launched a program pilot, called the College Success Academy (CSA) to increase the number of Boston public school (BPS) students who graduate from four-year colleges. The program provides after-school and summer programming spanning five years to students attending one of CSA’s three partner schools, the Edison, Jackson/Mann, and Gardner K-8 Schools. Like the Steppingstone Academy, CSA Scholars will receive support services through high school and graduation.
Building on its success providing high-quality services to students and families, Steppingstone launched the National Partnership for Educational Access in 2007 to provide a learning community of organizations committed to increasing educational opportunities for motivated underserved students across the country.
For more information about The Steppingstone Foundation, please visit www.tsf.org.
Position Overview: The Director of Evaluation is primarily responsible for leading evaluation and assessment activities to demonstrate impact and improve programs. Ensuring high quality execution and bringing current knowledge from the field, the Director will coordinate efforts to reflect program outcomes and organizational credibility. The Director will benefit from resources of an established organization and a cross-organizational team committed to ongoing improvement and data-driven decisions. Cultivating relationships with partners, vendors, and stakeholders will be a key role for the Director, especially in facilitating data access to Boston Public Schools, administration of national diagnostic, and collaboration with external evaluators. As a member of the program leadership team, the Director will be responsible for communication of complex processes and results tailored to external and internal audiences. Some evening and Saturday work is required.
Responsibilities
• Implement and improve systems to track progress and results according to research-based program scorecard, including the collection, coding and preparation of data for analysis; train and assist teams and individuals in their respective supporting roles
• Work closely with department managers and IT Manager in database development, staff training, and process integrity
• Manage process and lead implementation of recommended activities, such as interviews, focus groups, systematic observations, and surveys
• Work with EVP of Programs and key program managers to analyze qualitative and quantitative data and optimize information for presentation with internal and external audiences, including funders
• Cultivate external relationships and maintain working knowledge of related outside systems and policies, including testing agencies, BPS data access, and local networks or evaluation initiatives
• Supervise Evaluation Associate; oversee follow-through and quality of evaluation responsibilities across program departments
• Identify current and relevant research on topics and trends to inform program design and make the case for program impact
Qualifications
Strong candidates for this position will demonstrate a proven track record in the following:
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and college access
• Knowledge of and experience with program evaluation, data management, and research methodology
• Proficiency with relevant software and technologies including Excel, Word, Filemaker Pro (or comparable database system), Powerpoint, and basic quantitative analysis software
• Effective project management and evaluation skills with demonstrated flexibility and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong oral and written communication and analytical skills
• Experience managing an effective team and individual direct report
• Strong relationship-building and group facilitation skills across differing stakeholders including various internal departments, external community-based organizations and BPS
• Fluency in Spanish a plus
• Bachelor’s degree with previous evaluation oversight experience required; advanced degree in related field preferred
To Apply: Please send a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity to Human Resources at jobs@tsf.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
The Steppingstone Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate
against any individual, employee, or application for employment on the basis of race, color,
marital status, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or handicap, as defined by law.
