Overview

Every day, we work to support and build inclusive, powerful, healthy communities characterized by racial equity and economically just systems.” With this as our purpose and reason for being, Health Forward Foundation is building the future of our region by grasping the issues that cause disparate health outcomes at their roots. Health Forward Foundation’s mission is to achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources. We support direct services and drive systems change for healthy people, community power, and equitable and just places. We support and partner with community-based and cross-sector organizations to improve health on all fronts, from providing vital health services, to working to advance safe and affordable housing, to amplifying the power that exists in our communities through civic engagement on matters that influence heath.

Health Forward was created in 2003 with an original endowment of $440 million from the sale of Health Midwest, a nonprofit hospital system, to Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a for-profit hospital management company. Health Forward’s service area encompasses Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson, Cass, and Lafayette counties in Missouri, and Johnson, Wyandotte, and Allen counties in Kansas. Our history in these communities predates the foundation, as these were the places served by Health Midwest, which after the hospital’s sale evolved to form Health Forward. The foundation is governed by a 21-member board of directors and is managed by a professional staff of around 30 employees. 

Health Forward is committed to the process and the outcome of equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in its investments in services and systems change, employment practices, talent management, investments, vendor selection, and governance. Health Forward views equity as a fundamental element of social justice and integral in our purpose and to our mission.

The Director of Impact Learning and Evaluation strategically leads the assessment of the Foundation’s work and investments, commissioning or applying research and data – including community voice - that informs the development and refinement of strategy and assesses progress towards the Foundation’s goals. This is a leadership position that reports to the VP of Strategy, Learning, and Communications, partners with impact, communications, and investment teams, and regularly presents to the board of directors.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Vice President of Strategy, Learning, and Communications, the Director of Impact Learning and Evaluation will…

• Develop and implement an impact learning and evaluation strategy for the Foundation’s investments and activities in partnership with leadership, Impact teams and community stakeholders.
  • Partner with Impact staff and funded partners to co-define objectives and implement strategies that measure progress, outcomes, and impact, with a principal focus on systems level assessment.
  • Lead budget development and strategic multi-year resource allocation for impact learning, evaluation, and research functions.
  • Lead the development and refinement of impact metrics and indicators, research, and learning from impact strategies to support decision-making and action to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the Foundation’s work.
  • Collect and report data, including traditional data, stories, and community voice, on appropriate quantitative and qualitative indicators, in line with purpose area goals and Theories of Change.
  • Champion a learning culture throughout the Foundation.
  • Steward the learning and evaluation function with an orientation to results and community accountability.
• Direct research and data collection and analysis that inform strategic decisions and assess impact.
  • Ensure incorporation and use of multiple types of data, centering community voice and lived experience in the learning and evaluation process.
  • Infuse best practices around community and philanthropic learning, research and evaluation, ensuring approaches are inclusive, equitable, and serve the Foundation’s purpose.
  • Partner with senior leadership and communications department to effectively communicate results of research and impact learning, both internally and externally.
  • Provide leadership and expertise on the research and evaluation activities occurring across the Foundation and related work in the field.
  • Assess data needs to provide strategic support for the Foundation’s policy efforts.
  • Leverage a results orientation to manage a team of internal and external evaluators and researchers in support of multiple efforts across multiple purpose areas.
• Contribute to Health Forward’s Thought Leadership
  • Produce thought leadership content and lessons learned for external dissemination and publication to partners, policymakers, grantees, and the broader field.
  • Engage in writing, public speaking, convening, and networking in the philanthropic and health equity fields on the Foundation’s strategy, learning, and impact.

Qualifications

• PhD. or Master’s degree in applied research, public health, social science, or other related fields.
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in program evaluation and measurement, including design and implementation of research and/or assessment projects as well as applying a variety of qualitative and quantitative evaluation techniques.
• Track record of effectively analyzing issues, thinking creatively and strategically about solutions, and implementing potential opportunities. Adaptive capacity and a certain degree of risk-taking.
• Experience working collaboratively and effectively through influence with internal and external stakeholders including senior level executives, program directors and community partners.
• Excellent interpersonal skills which include a team-oriented approach, collaborative style, and a strong focus on execution and results while achieving efficiencies. Adept in establishing credibility among various constituencies, and a deep knowledge of the skills and practices necessary to inspire collaboration among diverse groups internally and externally.
• Serve as an internal consultant and leader within the Foundation to improve learning and performance. Ability to work as a team member in a collegial environment where differing viewpoints and give and take are expected and encouraged.
• Experience presenting data and research findings to a non-technical audience clearly and concisely, with an appreciation for the visual representation of data and the power of storytelling.
• Experience serving as an organization’s public face on research and evaluation.
• Excellent writing, speaking, and presentation skills with ability to synthesize and summarize findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Strong computer literacy skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, database applications and familiarity with standard software programs including statistical packages.
• Previous experience managing a variety of evaluation and learning projects, facilitating teamwork, and overseeing a budget.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically about the broad goals of the foundation while remaining focused on the detail-oriented work and follow-through required by the position.

Personal Qualities:

Advocate for the Purpose and Mission of the Health Forward Foundation who embodies our stated values of Trust, Partnership, Learning, Stewardship, and Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism.

Compensation:

The anticipated hiring salary range for this position is $128,800 – $161,000. The package will be determined by the experience level, credentials and personal characteristics of the candidate offered. Health Forward Foundation offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, a retirement plan, group life insurance, paid time off, and a hybrid work environment.

Non-Discrimination:

Health Forward Foundation firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected characteristic pursuant to applicable federal, state, or local laws.

OMNI is honored to be retained in this search. We appreciate your referrals to professionals who may have an interest in this outstanding opportunity. Formal interest accepted through the OMNI Executive Career Portal. Please direct all inquiries to:

OMNI Human Resource Solutions

Michelle Anderson, Vice President of Executive Search – manderson@omnihrm.com

OMNI and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers and seek diversity in candidates for employment. EEO Employer W/M/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.