Director, Impact & Evaluation

Director, Impact & Evaluation Who we are Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education. As the largest national higher education association dedicated solely to higher education civic and community engagement, Campus Compact enables higher education institutions to develop students’ citizenship skills and forge effective community partnerships. Our resources support senior administrators, faculty, staff, and students as they pursue community-based teaching, scholarship, and action in the service of positive change. Today, we stand at a defining moment: we are ready to scale our impact when the stakes for our work have never been higher. We know that higher education has a critical role to play in fostering democratic principles and culture by addressing polarization, strengthening civic participation, and ensuring students are prepared to navigate and shape our democracy. Thanks to the investment of philanthropic partners, Campus Compact is preparing for a period of significant growth and expansion, particularly in the areas of innovation, scaling, and coalition building. About the role The Director, Impact & Evaluation is a key member of Campus Compact's Strategy team, reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Strategy. This role leads the organization's efforts to measure, understand, and communicate the impact of its work, both at the program level and across the organization's broader strategic priorities. The Director brings a practitioner's rigor and a strategist's lens to their work. Approximately half of their time will be dedicated to hands-on program evaluation for specific Campus Compact initiatives emphasizing performance, outcome, and impact evaluation across our diverse set of activities and priorities including member engagement, professional development, institutional capacity building, and national service. The Director’s work will be grounded in our commitment to be responsive to the needs and priorities of our members and the field. The remainder of the role focuses on developing and monitoring the metrics and KPIs that anchor our strategic plan, building the capacity of staff across the organization to engage confidently with evaluation and evidence within their designated areas of practice, and developing systems and practices that emphasize continuous improvement. The Director serves as the organizational hub for evaluation practice: a skilled practitioner, a credible thought partner, and a champion for a culture of learning and evidence-informed decision-making. This is not a role that evaluates all of Campus Compact’s work all of the time as some projects will continue to draw on internal staff and external consultants when funding is available. This is a highly collaborative, cross-functional role that requires both methodological depth and the ability to translate findings into clear, compelling narratives for a range of audiences, from program staff to the board of directors to external funders and partners. This is a remote, full-time, exempt role, with travel required. This position is funded through a multi-year philanthropic investment and contingent on continued funding. Key Responsibilities Program Evaluation (~50%) Design and lead evaluations for designated Campus Compact programs and initiatives, from assessment framework development through final reporting Develop evaluation plans, data collection instruments, and analysis frameworks appropriate to each project's scope and context Analyze both quantitative and qualitative data to produce clear, actionable findings and supportive stories Produce evaluation reports and briefs that translate evidence into recommendations accessible to non-technical audiences Serve as internal lead and liaison on projects that engage external evaluation consultants, ensuring quality and organizational alignment Ensure evaluation findings and data support grant proposals and funder reporting requirements Strategic Plan Monitoring & Reporting (~20%) Assist in developing a comprehensive KPI and metrics framework aligned to Campus Compact's strategic plan Build and maintain systems for monitoring and tracking progress across all strategic priorities Design accessible dashboards and reporting tools that allow leadership and staff to engage meaningfully with strategic data Produce regular, high-quality progress reports on strategic plan implementation for the President, senior leadership team, and Board of Directors Analyze trends and surface insights that help the organization identify areas of strength, emerging gaps, and opportunities for course correction Represent the Strategy team in cross-functional conversations where strategic plan data and evidence are relevant Staff Capacity Building & Organizational Learning (~20%) Collaborate with staff to enhance program design process Serve as an accessible, practical evaluation resource and thought partner for program staff across the organization Develop tools, templates, guides, and frameworks that staff can use independently to design and conduct light-touch evaluation proportional to their project scope Facilitate learning sessions and workshops to build staff confidence and fluency in evaluation concepts, translating data for storytelling, and evidence-informed practice Champion a culture of learning and continuous improvement helping the organization move from data collection to effective use through genuine reflection and action Help establish clear norms about when internal staff, the Director, or external consultants are the right evaluation resource for a given project Leadership & Cross-Organizational Contribution (~10%) Build formal mechanisms for staff, program, and organizational continuous improvement using key data, analysis, and insights Contribute strategic input and guidance on organizational initiatives as a member of Campus Compact's leadership team Build and maintain relationships with key external partners, peer organizations, and networks in the civic engagement and higher education evaluation space Represent Campus Compact at sector convenings, conferences, and public forums as appropriate Model Campus Compact's shared values in daily practice, including a deep commitment to equity, transparency, accountability, and growth Supervise staff including hiring & onboarding, goal setting, providing regular supervision, structure, mentoring, and feedback. Support cross organizational collaboration on designated priorities. Take on other responsibilities as needed and appropriate Qualifications: Education: Master's degree in program evaluation, public policy, social science, education, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered. A minimum of 5 years of experience in program evaluation, applied research, or a closely related field at a comparable level of responsibility Demonstrated experience designing and leading evaluations from inception through dissemination, independently or in coordination with others Experience in higher education, civic engagement, nonprofit, and/or membership-based organizations A track record of working effectively across teams and building others' capacity, not just completing evaluation work in isolation Experience designing or monitoring programs that create change through difficult to quantify means (e.g. capacity building activities) Experience leading or significantly contributing to strategic planning, particularly with a focus on on the measurement, on the organizational, department, or team level Experience contributing to organizational strategy, KPI development, or data for storytelling Direct experience or close collaboration working with grant writing or funder reporting that integrates evaluation data Expectations: Communication Skills A confident, clear writer who can translate complex findings into compelling, accessible language for varied audiences — from program staff to board members to external funders Excellent attention to detail across all written work Strong facilitation and presentation skills; comfortable leading workshops, briefings, and learning sessions with groups of mixed expertise Organization, Time & Priority Management A strong self-directed project manager who can hold multiple evaluation projects and organizational priorities simultaneously without close supervision — consistent with the autonomy expected at the Leadership Level Consistently meets deadlines, communicates proactively about changes, and delivers high-quality work in a remote, fast-moving environment Comfortable operating with minimal direction while knowing when to escalate or seek input Data & Methods Proficient in both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods; knows when and how to apply each appropriately, and can integrate the methodologies for richer impact analysis Skilled at developing logic models, theories of change, and KPI frameworks Experience with data collection tools (surveys, interviews, focus groups), data analysis, and data visualization Ability to interpret organizational and program data and make evidence-based, action-oriented recommendations Technology Demonstrated expertise with data management, survey, and visualization platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Tableau, Excel/Google Sheets, or equivalents) Experience integrating evaluation metrics within other data collection systems including experience with CRMs (i.e. Salesforce, Hubspot) Able to coach and support staff in the use of evaluation-related tools and approaches Facility with remote collaboration tools standard to a distributed organization Values & Approach A deep personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion — with the ability to bring an equity lens to evaluation design, data interpretation, and organizational learning Approaches their work with a growth mindset: motivated by learning, open to feedback, and energized by helping others grow, l eads by example, holds themselves and their work to high standards of integrity and accountability Would Welcome Additional Experience…: Direct experience in the higher education civic engagement, national service, or democracy/civic health sectors Participatory or equity-centered evaluation approaches Developmental evaluation or evaluation in complex, adaptive organizational contexts Working in or alongside coalition or membership-based organizations Published or publicly presented evaluation work As an employee of Campus Compact you strive to represent & live Campus Compact’s Shared Values & Commitments in both how you show up for and work with your colleagues as well as Compact’s partners and communities: Equity: We prioritize full participation and diversity of thought, experience, and background. We center equity in our actions, processes, and practices to uplift diverse voices and perspectives. Growth mindset: We consistently push ourselves and each other to do and be better. We are motivated by growth, embracing new ideas, prioritizing continuous learning, and meeting challenges head-on. Accountability: We recognize that long-term change requires individual and shared ownership of personal and organizational actions. We own our mistakes, give each other grace, collaborate openly, and hold ourselves to high standards of integrity. Responsiveness: We ensure our offerings, resources, and approaches are flexible, grounded in feedback, and responsive to the challenges of our time. Transparency: We are direct and authentic within our team, with our members, and with our partners. We know that building trust starts with consistent, honest, and transparent communication. Preferred Experience With: SYSTEMS & TOOLS Data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Google Looker Studio) Survey and data collection tools (e.g., Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, etc.) Project management platforms (e.g., Asana or equivalents) CRM or constituent management databases PARTNERS Higher education institutions, associations, or accreditation bodies Civic engagement, democracy, or national service organizations Philanthropic funders in the education or civic space Peer evaluation or learning networks (e.g., AEA, regional evaluation associations) SKILLS Mixed-methods evaluation design and implementation Strategic planning and KPI framework development Facilitation of learning and reflection processes with adult audiences Data storytelling and translating findings for non-technical audiences Internal & External Relationship Management This role requires regular, substantive engagement across the organization and with external stakeholders. The Director of Impact & Evaluation is expected to build and maintain strong working relationships that support both individual projects and the broader organizational learning culture. Primary Internal Contacts Senior Vice President, Strategy (direct supervisor — regular strategic collaboration) Senior Manager, Strategy Operations (supervisee - strategic plan tracking, cross organization collaboration) Executive & Leadership Team (reporting on strategic plan progress, board preparation) Program Directors and Managers across all teams (evaluation partnership and capacity support) Development/Grants team (aligning evaluation data with funder requirements and proposals) Communications team (translating findings for external audiences and publications) Operations and People & Culture (data systems, organizational planning) Primary External Contacts Member leaders (individuals leading our projects and programs) External evaluation consultants (coordination and quality oversight on larger projects) Funder representatives (reporting, learning conversations) Member institution contacts (data collection, evaluation partnerships) Peer organizations and sector networks in civic engagement and higher education Evaluation and learning field networks (AEA, regional associations, peer practitioners) Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function in a satisfactory manner. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical requirements: This is primarily a sedentary position requiring the ability to sit at a desk and use a computer and phone most of the day. Minor bending and lifting periodically (mostly related to help with events and office management needs) The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Additional Information: Position Type: This is a remote, full-time, exempt position. Location: This is a remote position with occasional travel required for staff gatherings and Compact Events, most specifically our annual All Staff, in-person Retreat and annual Conference and project activities for which they are evaluating. Reporting Structure : Senior Vice President, Strategy Direct Reports : Senior Manager, Strategy Operations (this role will have a dotted line to SVP, Strategy) Compensation Band: $95,000 - $110,000 Benefits: Campus Compact provides a competitive benefits package, including national healthcare coverage, generous paid time off, and an employer retirement contribution. The organization prioritizes employee well-being and professional development and lives out those values through a flexible work environment, an inclusive and caring culture, and dedication to professional development. ○ Organizational Breaks: ■ Winter Break: Dec. 24th - Jan. 1st ■ Summer Reset: Week of July 4th We would like this position to start as soon as is reasonably possible, but ideally no later than Tuesday, August 25, 2026. To Apply: You will be expected to upload a Resume and answer the Acknowledgement and Application Questions Acknowledgement: Please acknowledge that you understand: *This is a full-time, exempt position funded through a multi-year philanthropic investment and is contingent on continued funding. This is a remote position with regular travel required for Planning Retreats, Events/Meetings, Staff Gatherings, and other Campus Compact Events. *Our goal is to secure external funding to continue to support this position. Experience & Qualifications: Short Answer Questions We recognize that applicants may use tools, including AI, to support drafting or editing their materials. We ask that your responses reflect your own experience, judgment, and voice. We are most interested in understanding how you think, how you approach the work, and what you would bring to this role, so please use the application questions as an opportunity to share your perspective authentically. 1. Evaluation Design and Implementation Tell us about an evaluation you designed and led from planning through final reporting. What was the purpose of the evaluation, what questions were you trying to answer, what methods did you use, and how did you ensure the findings were useful to the organization, program team, and/or funder? Please include how the findings were shared and what decisions, improvements, or actions resulted from the work. 400 words max 2. Evaluation Capacity Building and Organizational Learning This role will help staff across Campus Compact become more confident using evaluation, data, and evidence in their own work. Please describe a time when you helped build someone else’s evaluation or data capacity, either formally or informally. What support, tools, coaching, or structure did you provide, and what changed as a result? 300 words max 3. Strategic Metrics, KPIs, and Data for Decision-Making This role will help develop and monitor metrics and KPIs connected to Campus Compact’s strategic priorities. Tell us about your experience developing, managing, or improving a metrics, KPI, dashboard, or reporting framework. How did you determine what should be measured, how did you make the information accessible to others, and how was the data used to support decision-making or course correction? 400 words max 4. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Influence Much of this role involves working across teams where you may not have formal authority and where staff may have different levels of comfort with evaluation work. Describe a time when you had to influence, align, or gain sustained cooperation from colleagues or partners on a project they did not own or prioritize in the same way you did. What worked, what was challenging, and what did you learn? 300 words max 5. “Yes And…” Is there anything else you would like to share about your unique perspective, approach, or commitment you would bring to this role? Optional, 500 words max **Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with priority given to applicants who apply by June 22nd, 2026 . Campus Compact strives to attract and retain a diverse and talented staff who will contribute to the organization’s goals, mission, and vision. We encourage individuals of all ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply. Campus Compact is committed to increasing our team’s diversity, consistent with the values of our network. Campus Compact is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals. It does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), or any other basis prohibited by law. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Campus Compact participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Campus Compact will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.