Manager of Data & Evaluation

As a member of Friends of the High Line's (FHL) Special Projects team within the Administrative division, the Manager of Data & Evaluation plays a critical role in developing and implementing comprehensive evaluation frameworks that measure program impact, inform strategic decision-making, and directly strengthen the effectiveness of our programs and park operations for the communities we serve. This position transforms operational and programmatic data into compelling stories and actionable insights that help programming teams identify areas for improvement, elevate successes we want to build upon, and ensure our work continues to evolve in response to community needs—while also demonstrating the High Line's impact as a vital civic asset. By partnering closely with program staff, this role ensures that evaluation is not just about reporting results, but about continuously improving outcomes for participants and visitors. This position reports to the Manager, Administration & Special Projects and collaborates cross-departmentally to address FHL's data collection, measurement, and evaluation needs.

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 – $90,000

Program Evaluation & Impact Measurement

• Design, implement, and review evaluation frameworks and metrics that capture the impact of High Line programs, which include but are not limited to public events, educational initiatives, and park operations
• Conduct regular assessments of program effectiveness and provide actionable recommendations for continuous improvement
• Develop data collection methodologies and administer tools that support both formative and summative program evaluations, ensuring alignment with funding timelines and funder reporting needs
• Create compelling data-driven narratives and visualizations that communicate program impact to diverse audiences, including donors, board members, institutional funders, and the public
• Collaborate with the Development team to translate program evaluation findings into fundraising materials, grant proposals, and impact reports
• Establish benchmarks and key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with organizational goals and contemporary urban park management standards
  
  

Data Systems & Infrastructure

• Work from within the Administration Division to identify and develop solutions for organization-wide data and evaluation needs, ensuring sustainable, data-driven cross-division support
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to design data collection and analysis frameworks that reflect contemporary program evaluation and public space research
• Lead efforts to standardize data reporting methods and establish sound principles of data governance appropriate for an urban park stewardship nonprofit in a manner that:
• Reflects best practices in contemporary urban research methodologies
• Provides actionable insights for park management and urban design strategies
• Implements comprehensive data quality standards and validation procedures
• Establishes metadata standards for spatial and non-spatial data
• Maintains data retention policies
  

Technical Systems Management

• Support the implementation and management of FHL’s databases, including but not limited to:
• Administering enterprise-grade geospatial information systems (GIS) including but not limited to Esri's ArcGIS Enterprise
• Monitoring and possibly managing the implementation of people counting sensors throughout the park
• Selecting and leveraging self-service systems for organization-wide metrics retrieval and analysis
• Participating in needs assessments, facilitating data reviews, opening support tickets, and coordinating updates as needed
• Maintaining documentation of FHL information systems, working in tandem with the IT department to ensure sound data governance practices
• Collaborate with the Digital Transformation and IT functions to ensure that software and accompanying systems/services fulfill and align with organizational data and evaluation needs
• Work with the Planning, Design & Construction department to interpret construction drawings, as-builts, and project documentation, generating advanced geospatial visualizations of landscape, infrastructure, and operational dynamics

Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Leadership

• Lead the Data Working Group, a cross-departmental unit of engaged internal stakeholders who provide regular strategic insights and thought partnership on key data and evaluation needs
• Partner with program staff across departments to build evaluation capacity and foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement
• Maintain an openness to creative, technology-oriented c