Director of Data & Operational Excellence

Director of Data & Operational Excellence

Founded in Philadelphia, Spring Point Partners, LLC (Spring Point) is a social impact organization that invests in transformational leaders, networks and solutions that power community change and advance justice.

We do this by seeking out and supporting community leaders who have the vision to see what’s possible and the drive to make that real; connecting the experience of partners with comprehensive and flexible supports for shared learning and impact; and investing in innovative ideas and adaptive solutions that can spark and scale change for all.

Whether we’re partnering on youth development, equity in learning, animal welfare or water sector leadership or investing in new business models that close opportunity gaps and boost social and economic mobility, we center equity and justice in all we do — supporting individuals and ideas that can have a catalytic impact in their communities and on our society.

Together, let’s change the way social impact is achieved.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Director of Data & Operational Excellence is responsible for leading the data collection, use and analysis function of Spring Point, building a culture of good data practices, overseeing the development of and disciplined implementation of the standard operating procedures that are required for a robust and reliable data framework. In this role, the Director partners with the Senior Executive Team, impact and finance teams, and with the technology staff to create frameworks for collecting and storing data, tracking project milestones, and developing insights that help senior leaders with strategic decision-making and with assessing the impact of Spring Point’s partnership based on rigorous evidence. In partnership with the Impact and Learning Teams, they translate and facilitate the organization’s impact story and vision by establishing the processes that enable actionable knowledge.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible role with a hybrid schedule of three days a week at the Philadelphia office and two days virtual, with schedule adjustments as needed based on the organization’s or department’s needs. May also require occasional travel to partner sites.

The position reports to the VP of People & Operations and supervises a team of one or two staff.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop & Oversee Spring Point’s Data Strategy in Support of Strategic Plans & Implementation:

• Work across grants, investments, and learning teams to clarify the learning, storytelling and amplification goals of Spring Point and build a data structure that undergirds these goals.
• Work across impact, operations, and finance areas to manage the organization’s standard operating procedures regarding data and generate reports as needed using data visualization techniques to interpret data and present findings.
• Understand Spring Point’s investee and grantee partners to conceptualize and frame what data would be most meaningful for Spring Point to collect and analyze.
• Partner with Senior Executive Team and Berwind IT to create standards around AI use.
• Ensure that data practices align with Spring Point’s ethical standards and with applicable laws/regulations.

Build the Data Infrastructure, Business Processes, & Data Culture to Support Spring Point’s Impact First Vision:

• Partner with impact staff to create and launch Spring Point’s data input, validation, use, and analysis strategy.
• Identify existing data and technology gaps and partner with Spring Point’s IT and other functions to support the needs for organizational data collection and sharing. Ensure that Spring Point’s technology platform and capability fully aligns with its evidence-based impact strategy.
• Define and communicate data security requirements for Spring Point data to Information Security Team. Understand and comply with organization’s information security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Define a master data management process that ensures a single, accurate record for critical entities/data objects, integrating data from various internal and external sources to maintain data consistency, accuracy, and reliability across the organization.
• Build out all data protocols, naming conventions, and compliance with industry data standards and create staff buy-in vis-à-vis data systems and goals.
• Develop the organization’s quality assurance process to oversee data clean-up protocols, data loss prevention systems, and data governance controls to meet and exceed industry standards and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Spring Point’s data.
• Create and maintain training and documentation to allow Spring Point staff to understand and execute on data management and governance processes.

Serve as a connecting point across Program, Learning, & Operations to ensure that the organizational data & reporting serves multiple purposes:

• Ensure that the data framework is responsive to and can track the questions central to best practice grantmaking and investing. Conduct data analysis and design reporting needed to play back grantee and investee trends and learning impacts to help Spring Point build a cycle of continuous improvement.
• Work with internal teams to develop/support capacity-building for partners.
• Create and generate the data reports needed to share Spring Point’s impact with the Berwind Corporation, the Advisory Committee of Spring Point, and other key stakeholders.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Senior Executive Team on how to refine and strengthen Spring Point’s partner interactions and internal and external storytelling.
• Plan, lead, or support other central impact data and reporting needs as they arise.

Oversee Spring Point’s Operational Excellence Functions:

• Oversee the creation of standard operating procedures for other related organization-wide processes such as contract development, consultant management and invoicing, and other back-office systems that contribute to a smoothly running organization.
• Oversee steps to rollout the above processes, convene cross-functional teams to troubleshoot challenges and ensure integration and uptake across the organization.
• Bring a forward-looking approach to easing business processes including automating processes where appropriate.
• Partner with Spring Point and Berwind IT staff to ensure organizational operating systems are fit for purpose.

All Staff Responsibilities

• Organizational Involvement: participate as an engaged member of the organization beyond core responsibilities including, but not limited to, participating in training/professional development, attending staff meetings/events, and contributing to the organization’s values-based culture building including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work.
• Professional Development: maintain skills and knowledge of industry standards, peer activity, and relevant media/publications and advise on key developments or areas that could impact the organization.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

We look forward to the range of professional experiences that candidates provide, and at minimum, meet these qualifications:

• Master’s degree or related experience;
• At least 5 to 7 years of relevant experience providing leadership on data and compliance in a family office, social impact, or related field. Experience analyzing data, collecting field/network data and facilitating data-driven decision-making.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite with the ability to create organizational efficiencies through learning and integrating new technology platforms as needed.

We seek these qualifications to be demonstrated in the interview process:

• Demonstrated ability to engage in creative thinking about impact related outcomes both with internal staff and external partners.
• Demonstrated interest in ways technology innovation can support more effective data input, use, and analysis.
• Ability to think and act strategically with strong analytical, project management and problem-solving skills with demonstrated attention to detail; ability to move beyond the identification of problems to explore causes and propose solutions.
• Clear understanding and perspective on the application of qualitative and quantitative data for continuous improvement, communicating impact, and determining progress toward internal and external goals.
• Nimble and flexible, with experience in change management and the ability to build buy-in and influence peers in building a shared vision of data accuracy, analysis, and use in an evolving context.
• Work effectively in situations that may lack clarity or involve ambiguity, especially given the complexities of a privately held family business.

In addition, we seek candidates who demonstrate these preferred qualifications:

• The ability to initiate, develop, and sustain positive relationships while working collaboratively with diverse teams, supporting colleagues, and fostering an inclusive, cooperative work environment.
• Able to seek knowledge about varied fields within social impact and make connections across the work.
• Strong organizational skills to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with flexibility and possesses excellent attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, navigate external and internal situations with good judgment and high integrity.
• Certificate or experience in data analytics and data visualization desirable.

DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT

Spring Point Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

The final candidate for this role will be asked to complete a background check process and the initial job offer is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of this check.

APPLICATIONS

To be considered for this opportunity, please send an email with your resume to the Hiring Team at JoinUs@thespringpoint.com with Director of Data & Operational Excellence in the subject line.