Senior Director Programs

The Programs & Research and Evaluation Senior Director works under the direction of the Chief Program & Evaluation Officer and is a member of the senior leadership team responsible for leading an integrated portfolio combining program strategy development, implementation, and evaluation. The Senior Director oversees the planning and execution of agency-wide research, strategy development and implementation, and evaluation studies in alignment to the FTF Strategic Plan. Simultaneously, this position is responsible for directing programmatic grant processes and technical assistance to ensure strategies are supported by research evidence and best practice, aligned with regional needs and Board priorities, and connected to measurable outcomes. Additionally, the Senior Director oversees data systems development, manages vendor performance, disseminates findings to key stakeholders, and provides direct supervision to Program and Evaluation Specialists.

Program Leadership & Strategy Development and Implementation

• Supervise and support Program Specialists in the development, revision, and implementation of early education, literacy and family support and children’s health strategies, services, and programs, ensuring alignment with current research evidence, effective practices, and regional/tribal needs.
• Lead the programmatic aspects of the grant process—including development and revision of standards of practice, scopes of work, and theories of change—ensuring work is cohesive, supported by research evidence, and connected to outcomes.
• Develop and implement an approach to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to monitor program implementation, provide timely technical assistance and ensure grant partner accountability.
• Guide Program Specialists to use data to support staff across FTF teams and FTF councils with strategy implementation and strategic priorities.
• Possess strong communication skills to lead and facilitate discussions with regional councils, state agencies and other system partners, and grant partners to solicit and listen to feedback, navigate differing perspectives, communicate planned changes, rationale and decisions clearly to build shared understanding. Additionally, synthesize and incorporate relevant feedback into strategy development and revisions and work products.
• Knowledge of current research and issues, including effective programs and policy related to the early childhood system.
• Inform FTF strategies, decision-making, and policy work using latest research available on early childhood topics, including emerging state and national issues affecting Arizona.

Research & Evaluation Oversight

• Lead and supervise Evaluation Specialists in analysis of statewide and regional strategy implementation and outcome data collection, monitoring and reporting, as well as population-level and/or programmatic early childhood data, to identify trends that inform program and policy implications.
• Plan and manage multiple studies (e.g., statutorily required studies, strategy-specific studies) and other ad hoc projects identified as part of executing the FTF Strategic Plan. This includes, establishing goals with the Chief Program/Data Officer, setting timelines, effectively communicating priorities to FTF colleagues, developing project scopes of work including methodology/design, developing deliverable plans, and managing vendor performance to meet deliverables.
• Coordinate with the FTF Tribal Relations team to plan implementation data efforts, tribal regional studies and develop related materials (e.g., tribal approval documents) in compliance with the FTF Tribal Data Policy.
• Lead efforts and/or direct Program and Evaluation Specialists in the development of data systems with internal IT staff and/or external contractors (e.g., Early Childhood Workforce Registry) to support grant partner data submission that will inform strategy outcomes. This is inclusive of developing business requirements, planning data system design and specific fields, writing report logic and codebook, and providing overall direction to IT report writers, for internal and external systems.
• Summarize analytical results in technical data reports, policy briefs, and presentations tailored for the FTF Board, Regional Councils, staff, and external stakeholder groups.
• Meet with FTF Regional Councils, staff, and local stakeholders to collect input related to FTF research and evaluation activities.

Early Childhood System Work and Data System Integration

• Represent First Things First in statewide early childhood coalitions, advisory groups, workgroups, and other cross-agency initiatives, providing programmatic and early childhood systems expertise and advancing coordination and alignment among state, local, tribal, public, and private partners.