Director of Program Evaluation and Administration

Position Title: Director of Program Administration & Evaluation

Position Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Advisor to the President

Location: Dayton, OH (This position is located in Dayton, OH and requires in person presence)

Salary: $120,000 - $150,000 annually

Overview:
The Charles F. Kettering Foundation works to inspire and connect individuals and organizations to advance thriving and inclusive democracies around the globe. We believe all people belong and have the right to engage in and shape a democracy that serves them. The Director of Program Administration & Evaluation will be integral to furthering the foundation's mission. This leader will ensure that our diverse portfolio of programs is both rigorously evaluated and seamlessly executed, supporting our commitment to transparent, evidence-based decision-making and effective operational management. By supporting the implementation of mission-aligned strategic work plans, managing contracts and budgets, and developing strong evaluative frameworks, you will enhance our organizational capacity for continuous learning and improvement-all while advancing our vision for a world of inclusive democracies the core mission that guides our efforts every day.

Key Responsibilities

Program Administration:

• Collaborate with program, research, and operations staff to track progress toward annual workplan objectives, key milestones, and performance metrics.
• Implement and manage systems to monitor progress across initiatives, ensuring that project timelines, resource use, and operational activities remain aligned with our mission, strategic priorities, and programmatic goals.
  • Oversee contract management processes in alignment with established work plans, ensuring that all agreements support programmatic objectives and adhere to budgetary constraints.
  • Manage the budgeting process for the Office of the Chief Strategy Officer by tracking expenditures and upholding fiscal responsibility.

Evaluation & Assessment:

• Create and implement robust key performance indicators (KPIs) that accurately measure the effectiveness of our diverse programmatic activities.
• Design comprehensive assessment frameworks tailored to a wide range of initiatives-from community engagement projects to arts initiatives-using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Lead the collection, analysis, and interpretation of assessment data, producing clear and concise reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure that reports highlight actionable insights, demonstrate program effectiveness and areas where further learning or programmatic work is needed.
• Collaborate with program and operations staff, researchers, and external partners to continuously refine evaluation processes and implement best practices that align with our mission.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Educational Background: Advanced degree in Public Policy, Education, Social Sciences, or a related field-or equivalent experience demonstrating strong analytical, strategic, and evaluative skills.
• Professional Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in program evaluation, project management, or administrative oversight within educational or nonprofit settings, with demonstrated success in managing complex administrative operations and developing strategic work plans.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in assessment theory and methodologies is essential, along with proficiency in statistical software (such as Excel, SPSS, or Tableau) and project management tools. Experience with contract management and budget oversight is also required.
• Analytical and Communication Skills: Exceptional analytical skills and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical for engaging diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Leadership and Collaborative Aptitude: Proven leadership in both administrative and evaluative capacities, with a strong track record of fostering collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams. A deep commitment to advancing equity, justice, and inclusive democratic practices is imperative.

The Charles F. Kettering Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and embraces diversity in the workplace. The Foundation actively encourages applications from women, individuals of diverse racial backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. We strive to create an inclusive work environment where employees thrive based on their personal merit, qualifications, experience, abilities, and job performance.