Evaluation Project Manager for a Research and Evaluation Firm

Hello, Evaluation Project Leads!

My name is Kristen and I am the President at Evalcorp - a fast-paced and growing evaluation and consulting firm. We provide evaluation, strategic planning, and needs assessment services to government agencies and nonprofits. We primarily work with agencies that deliver direct services in the fields of public health, mental health, criminal justice, education, and early childhood.

We are seeking a full time Evaluation Project Manager who is growth minded, looking to lead a high-performing team and client work as part of our growing national consulting firm specializing in program evaluation, needs assessments, and strategic planning for government and large community-based organizations. Our core values are excellence, diversity, growth, collaboration, and client service.

This role is hybrid: occasional travel to client and community sites for meetings/presentations and some in office work in South Orange County, CA.

We are looking for an Evaluation Project Manager specifically with these requirements:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in psychology or an applied social science
• Has 5+ years of senior-level project management experience in an applied research and evaluation capacity, including management of project teams
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to manage competing deadlines effectively
• Adept at consulting and working directly with clients
• Proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research
• High level critical thinking, analytic and proactive problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage client and staff relationships effectively and positively
• Proven ability to interpret and share data findings with both technical and non-technical audiences
• Computer proficient (including MS365, quantitative analysis and/or qualitative analysis software, internet, email)
• Accuracy, attention to detail and organizational skills a must
• Valid driver’s license and access to own transportation

Nice to have:

• Bilingual Spanish preferred (This is more important when hiring at the entry-level Evaluation Project Lead level)

Your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

Major Responsibilities within the Content/Geographic Focus Area(s)

• Manage project leads’ effective implementation of client projects
  • Consult with project leads on the development of evaluation plans, project scopes of work, analysis plans, project products, etc.
  • Edit/proof final products, data collection tools, evaluation plans, and other deliverables
  • Work directly with clients, facilitating meetings and providing higher level support/resolution to complex issues in coordination with project leads
  • Coordinate work across projects to ensure all are high quality and completed efficiently
  • Consult with project leads on project progress and assist with problem solving (e.g., related to research design, client needs)
• Provide oversight and feedback to project staff
  • Review and edit project staff’s work and provide constructive feedback
  • Keep Management Team updated on staff strengths, challenges and professional development needs
  • Provide input to the Management Team for staff performance appraisals
  • Participate in the hiring process as needed to support firm growth
• Manage and develop client relationships
  • Follow-up with clients to ensure needs are being met
• Serve as the project lead on large and/or complex projects
  • Create scope of works, evaluation plans, timelines, data collection tools, and analysis plans
  • Plan and lead client and project team meetings
  • Create/write project deliverables tailored to the client’s specific data needs
  • Conduct data collection and analyses, when needed

Major Responsibilities within the Firm

• Coordinate work with other Project Managers and Project Leads at the firm
  • Meet regularly with Project Leads to coordinate project timelines and staff and consultant resources so all project needs across the firm are met
  • Proactively identify any issues within and across projects that may impact projects' quality and timeliness or client satisfaction and propose solutions
• Maintain regular communication with the Management Team regarding staff and projects
  • Participate in and/or facilitate regular project management meetings
  • Consult with Management Team on high-level client or staff issues
  • Provide any information needed for administrative and financial activities
• Work with Management Team in supp