Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation

Job Purpose 

LT believes that knowledge-based decisions lead to more effective and efficient use of organizational resources in pursuit of our mission. The Senior Manager, Research & Evaluation helps the Director build and sustain an organization-wide culture that uses research and evaluation to inform strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. This role leads a portfolio of research and evaluation projects, supports cross-department data initiatives, and serves as the embedded evaluation partner to the Liliʻuokalani Center.

Essential Responsibilities 

Research & Evaluation Strategy 

• Design and implement a Research and Evaluation agenda that identifies timely, high-priority questions to guide strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making, including questions likely to become important for future planning 

• Build and lead a portfolio of research, assessment, and evaluation projects at the strategic and tactical levels 

• Co-lead the development of standard evaluation methods and data collection tools for program evaluation 

• Support the development of and updates to LTʻs assessment tools 

Program Partnership 

• Serve as the embedded evaluation partner for the Liliʻuokalani Center and other programs as determined necessary and appropriate, supporting teammates with assessment, program evaluation, developmental evaluation, and data-informed decision-making 

• Collaborate with program and operations teammates to interpret data from a wide range of sources and utilize it to strengthen program and service planning and delivery 

• Assist in the design of strategies, tactics, programs, and services by bringing the research and evaluation toolkit into partnership with program teammates, including: 

• Clarifying the needs, interests, and assets of those to be served 

• Clarifying the program and service goals and objectives 

• Identifying proven or promising practices 

• Critically examining the alignment of needs/assets, goals and objectives, and program plans to increase the impact of LT programs and services 

Organization-Wide Decision Support 

• Support strategic and operational decision-making at the organizational level by: 

• Leading evaluations of organization-wide collaborations, systems-change initiatives, an case management change 

• Collaborating on the development of accessible data tools, including dashboards, reports, information graphics, and other tools that decision makers at all levels can easily access and use 

• Participating in rigorous organization-wide reporting at regular intervals, synthesizing evaluation findings, strategic indicators, lessons learned, and actionable insights to inform organizational learning and decision-making 

Capacity Building & Coaching 

• Coach Research and Evaluation Managers and build capacity across LT among frontline teammates and other professionals so that they can conduct, interpret, and apply research and evaluation findings, including strengthening the capacity of the Research and Evaluation team to engage in research, evaluation, facilitation, and project leadership 

External Engagement 

• Build the capacity, as appropriate, through the sharing of relevant and accessible information, of decision makers beyond LT to apply research and evaluation knowledge to decisions affecting Native Hawaiian wellbeing, including sharing resources with external policymakers and leaders of smaller community-based organizations and local collaborativecs 

• Communicate the results of research and evaluation work in a clear, easily accessible manner 

• Form and sustain collegial partnerships with other organizations that serve the Hawaiian community and the broader public to improve the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians 

• Contribute to the advancement of knowledge on Native Hawaiian wellbeing in the field through journal-quality publications, presentations, contributions to professional associations, and participation in partner meetings, as appropriate 

Other duties 

• Contribute to the Trustʻs success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organizational resuts 

Qualifications 

Preferred education and experience:  

• Doctoral degree that includes advanced study of social science research and/or evaluation methods or Master’s degree with 8-10 years of equivalent experience.  

• Progressively-responsible, directly-related work experience, including conducting developmental evaluation: 3-5 years 

• Facilitative leadership and mentorship training and experience: 3-5 years 

• Experience coaching knowledge workers: 3-5 years 

• Possess the cultural knowledge and skills to work respectfully and effectively in a Hawaiian-serving organization and with local communities.  

Job Competencies 

• Tolerance for ambiguity, emergence, and divergent work 

• Systems thinking, critical thinking skills, and creative problem solving 

• Ability to build strong relationships and provide responsive evaluation, data, and learning support across a center with diverse staff, multiple program areas, and rapidly evolving priorities and strategies. 

• Proficient in all phases of the social science research/evaluation process to include but not limited to:  

• Design of research and evaluation studies, including developmental evaluations 

• Design of data collection tools and methods 

• Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data  

• Responsiveness to key aspects of the context of in which the research and evaluation studies will be conducted  

• Expertise in or ability to quickly acquire necessary level of knowledge about the needs, programs, or services to be researched or evaluated  

• Effective oral, written, and visual communication  

• Understanding of adult learners and coaching strategies 

• Project management skills (intermediate to advanced) 

• Ability to effectively oversee a rich, diverse portfolio of projects and manage them to timely completion; to identify priorities aligned with organizational needs when faced with resource challenges 

Organization Competencies 

• Alignment with Queen’s legacy:  Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.  

• Hoʻomau i ka ʻImi Naʻauao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.   

• Hoʻike i na Manaʻo Pono (Effective Communication):  Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.    

• Noʻonoʻo loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations 

• Hoʻo kumu aʻe  or ʻImi hakuhia (Innovation):  Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.  

• Pilina Hoʻohana a me ka Hana Hilinaʻi (Building Relationships and Creating Trust):  Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward. 

• Alu Like i ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives. 

• Hoʻonui i ka ʻIke (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.  

Mental and Physical Demands:  

• Perform light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting weight of up to 25 pounds. Exposed to outdoor climate and diverse terrain.  

Terms and Conditions Employment  

As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.