WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
Strada Education Foundation is a nonprofit social impact organization dedicated to improving lives by strengthening the connections between education and economic opportunity. We focus on helping individuals—particularly those facing the greatest barriers—navigate postsecondary education pathways that lead to good jobs.
Our work spans research, philanthropy, strategic investments, and public policy, with a sharp focus on five mission-aligned areas: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment. We partner with education and training providers, nonprofits, employers, policymakers, and innovators to support more equitable, effective education-to-career pathways.
JOB LOCATION
This is a hybrid role based in Washington, DC or Indianapolis, IN, with an expectation of working in-office at least two days per week.
WHY IS THIS POSITION OPEN?
This new position was created as part of Strada’s growing investment in organizational learning, research, and impact. As we expand our philanthropic and strategic initiatives, we’re seeking a dedicated leader to guide our evaluation and knowledge-building efforts—both to strengthen Strada’s work and to contribute to the broader field.
Strada’s mission-driven activities include strategic initiatives, grants, research, partnerships, and investments—each supported by internal teams with subject matter expertise. Our work is organized around five key focus areas: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment.
In close collaboration with these teams, the Senior Director will foster and support a culture of evaluation and learning that informs every phase of our work. This includes ensuring that learning objectives and measurement strategies are embedded from the outset of each team’s strategic efforts.
WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT CULTURE LIKE?
Strada’s research team is collaborative, mission-driven, and intellectually curious. We value thoughtful analysis, practical insight, and a commitment to learning that drives meaningful change. Team members work across departments to support data-informed decision-making and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
WHY SHOULD I APPLY?
If you are passionate about using evidence to shape systems that support students and improve postsecondary outcomes, this role offers the opportunity to drive real impact. You'll collaborate across disciplines, lead evaluations that matter, and help synthesize insights that guide national conversations around education and opportunity.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Strada is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Director, Evaluation and Learning to lead the design, management, and translation of evaluation efforts that measure what works in education-to-career pathways. Reporting to the Vice President of Research, this person will partner with internal teams and external experts to generate actionable insights that inform strategy, improve outcomes, and advance the field. The Senior Director will also play a critical role in building a learning culture across Strada’s programmatic work.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US
At Strada, you’ll be part of a dedicated team committed to transforming the education-to-employment landscape in the U.S. You’ll help elevate what works, shape strategy, and ensure our efforts lead to meaningful, measurable progress for learners nationwide. Join us and help reimagine opportunity.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Lead and manage evaluations for Strada’s grants, strategic initiatives, and investments.
- Determine which evaluations should be conducted internally versus by third-party partners.
- Cultivate, manage, and oversee contracts with external evaluation firms.
- Collaborate with focus area teams to integrate evaluation and learning into the design of initiatives from the start.
- Synthesize evaluation findings with broader research to inform strategic decisions.
- Create knowledge products that distill findings for internal and external audiences.
- Facilitate cross-team learning that aligns evaluation with organizational goals.
- Support the Strategy and Innovation team in measuring and reporting the outcomes of Strada’s mission-aligned work.
- Mentor colleagues and promote internal capacity-building in evaluation methods and learning frameworks.
SKILLS and EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED
- At least 5 years of experience in program evaluation, research design, or impact measurement.
- Advanced degree in evaluation, public policy, education, social sciences, or related field.
- Experience leading multi-stakeholder evaluations with measurable results.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize findings into actionable recommendations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
- Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
- Experience with statistical software (Stata strongly preferred).
Bonus points if you have…
- Experience with systems-change evaluation or culturally responsive approaches.
- Worked with philanthropic or education organizations.
- Knowledge of workforce development or postsecondary policy.
- Background in managing external research vendors and contracts.
- Familiarity with logic models, theory of change, and evidence frameworks.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENT
- Minimal travel expected; occasional site visits or convenings may be required.
$143,500 - $161,300 a year
plus anual bonus
The pay range listed is based on national compensation benchmark data and may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge, variations in cost of labor, and in some cases, geographic location. The exact job offer will be determined based on several factors such as the candidate’s individual skills, qualifications and experience relative to the requirements of the role. The range displayed with the job posting represents the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across the U.S. The company also reviews and considers internal equity (current employee salary) when hiring new employees to the organization. The range is the expected starting base salary for someone hired into this position with room to grow professionally, including increased earning potential beyond the starting pay range. Beyond a new hire’s base salary, Strada also offers all full-time employees a comprehensive employee benefit package.
BENEFITS WE OFFER
Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Paid Family Leave & Generous PTO
401(k) with Employer Match
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Wellness Programs & Professional Development Opportunities
Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance
Hybrid Work Environment
Fitness & Remote Work Reimbursements
Charitable Matching & Giving Program
Mission and Values Alignment:
Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with Strada's guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.
Strategy and Innovation Leadership:
Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.
Strategic Problem Solving:
Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.
Execution and Operations Leadership:
Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.
DEI Commitment:
Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.
Relationship Building and Collaborative Capabilities:
Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to Strada’s organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. Strada is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace-certified by Diversity for Social Impact, a strategic professional and organization development company dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to drive social impact worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.
This position was originally posted by Strada Education and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link below. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.