Director of Impact Data

Director of Impact Data Department:

Community Investments Reports to:

Vice President, Community Investments Location:

Chattanooga, TN (Hybrid)

Compensation:

$70,000-80,000

FLSA Status:

Exempt Position Summary The Director of Impact Data serves as United Way of Greater Chattanooga's senior lead for impact data strategy, research, data analytics, and measurement relating to executing our organization's Impact Agenda. This role ensures the organization and its partners have the high-quality information needed to understand community needs, guide investments, evaluate outcomes, and tell a compelling story of impact across our region. This director bridges analytical expertise with accessible storytelling and capacity‑building — helping UWGC, our nonprofit partners, funders, and community stakeholders make data‑informed decisions that advance economic mobility, stability, and well‑being for all residents in the Greater Chattanooga area. Key Responsibilities 1. Data Strategy, Infrastructure & Governance

• Lead UWGC's impact data strategy, including data governance standards, data quality practices, and documentation.
• Manage key data systems such as case-management for programs such as 211, outcomes-tracking with grantees, and partner reporting platforms
• Oversee the maintenance, accuracy, and integration of datasets needed for insights (internal performance data, funded partner reporting, community data sources, etc.).
• Collaborate with Technology, Finance, Impact, and Operations teams to ensure secure, reliable data infrastructure that supports analytics and evaluation. 2. Research, Evaluation & Community Insights
• Program design and evaluation frameworks for UWGC investments, initiatives, and strategic priorities.
• Lead community needs assessments, landscape scans, and research projects that deepen understanding of poverty, ALICE populations, economic mobility, and local disparities.
• Develop and update shared outcomes models, indicators, and learning frameworks for all UWGC funding streams.
• Produce public‑facing reports, briefs, insight memos, and data products used in strategy, fundraising, advocacy, and community education. 3. Data Analytics & Visualization
• Develop dashboards, scorecards, and analytic products that translate raw data into actionable insights for UWGC leadership, Board, funders, and partners.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to identify trends, community needs, gaps in services, partner performance, and investment opportunities.
• Use modern BI tools (Power BI preferred) to create interactive, intuitive visualizations that support strategic decisions and public storytelling.
• Ensure analytic outputs uphold UWGC standards of clarity, accuracy, accessibility, and equity. 4. Storytelling & Strategic Communication
• Convert complex data into clear, compelling stories that articulate impact, illuminate need, and inspire investment.
• Partner closely with Communications, Resource Development, and Government Relations to embed insights into campaigns, pitches, advocacy messaging, and donor materials.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and internal consultant to ensure data is used responsibly, ethically, and consistently across the organization.
• Serve as Community Investment team's main point of contact for ALICE national data team and SME for ALICE, poverty, and the struggles facing working families and their children. 5. Capacity Building for Nonprofit Partners
• Train funded partners and community organizations on data collection, reporting, outcomes measurement, and evaluation approaches.
• Provide hands‑on technical assistance to partners seeking to improve their data systems, reporting accuracy, and capacity to demonstrate impact.
• Lead or co‑lead learning cohorts that strengthen community data literacy, equitable evaluation practices, and shared measurement. 6. Cross‑Department Collaboration & Organizational Learning
• Work closely with Community Investments, Corporate Engagement, Finance, 211, Marketing, and other UWGC teams to embed learning cycles into organizational practice.
• Support grant proposals, government partnerships, and philanthropic collaborations with data, evidence, and clearly articulated impact metrics.
• Cultivate a culture of continuous learning across UWGC through tools, dashboards, and intentional knowledge‑sharing.
• Actively contribute to cross-departmental collaborative data team 7. Team Leadership & Oversight
• As needed, manage analysts, interns, contractors, or fellows engaged in impact data work.
• Develop team goals, work plans, budgets, vendors, and performance expectations aligned to UWGC's mission and strategic plan. Qualifications Education
• Bachelor's degree required (public policy, sociology, economics, statistics, data science, public health, or related).
• Master's degree preferred in Applied Research, Public Policy, Evaluation, Data Science, Sociology, or related field. Experience
• 5-7+ years of experience in applied research, program evaluation, data analytics, or community indicators work.
• Experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic, public sector, or social impact space is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing evaluations, analyzing complex datasets, and producing clear, actionable research products.
• Experience administering or supporting case‑management/outcomes‑tracking systems highly desirable.
• Supervisory or project leadership experience preferred. Technical Skills
• Strong proficiency in Power BI or similar BI tools.
• Experience with statistical, analytic, or scripting tools (SQL, R, Python, or similar) preferred.
• Advanced Excel and data visualization skills required.
• Knowledge of evaluation design, outcomes measurement, and equitable data practices. Competencies & Attributes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Equity‑driven approach to research and evaluation.
• Strong relationship‑builder with proven ability to partner across sectors and levels.
• Highly organized, proactive, detail‑oriented, and able to manage multiple projects.
• Mission‑driven, curious, collaborative, and committed to community impact. Success Measures (12-18 months)
• Improved partner reporting accuracy and data literacy.
• High‑value dashboards widely used by UWGC leadership and staff.
• Research products (needs assessments, briefs, evaluation reports) that meaningfully shape funding and strategy decisions.
• Increased internal adoption of data‑informed decision‑making.
• Stronger, more consistent storytelling of UWGC's impact using data.
• A clear, reliable data governance system and improved data quality across UWGC programs. Working Relationships

Internal:

Impact team, Technology, Marketing/Communications, Resource Development, Government Relations, Finance.

External:

Nonprofit partners, research institutions, data collaboratives, policy stakeholders, peer United Ways, technical vendors. If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume to tammymccallie@uwchatt.org .