Director of Research and Evaluation
Omaha, NE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Founded in 1999 by Susan A. Buffett, The Sherwood Foundation seeks to promote equity through social justice initiatives, enhancing the quality of life in Nebraska. The Sherwood Foundation’s work is grounded in a belief that social justice is the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that all produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes for all. In service of continuing to build a culture of continuous learning and improvement in support of social change, The Sherwood Foundation seeks a new Director of Research and Evaluation to enable deeper understanding of the impact of their grantmaking and drive shifts in strategy based on that learning. The Sherwood Foundation has developed a distinctive organizational culture built on trust, humility, and integrity, where team members are empowered to lead and create, ensuring that it is aligned with donor intent.
As proud stewards of the progressive vision of a living donor, the Foundation has cultivated an organizational culture grounded in trust, tolerance for risk and willingness to act boldly, and a balance of independence and accountability to the founder’s vision. Building on a proud legacy of supporting bold, community-embedded and centered change, the Foundation seeks a Director of Research and Evaluation to better understand and transform the impact of their grantmaking in the state of Nebraska. The new Director will be engaged to serve as internal evaluation and capacity building counsel to program teams; partner with program leads to create shared ownership of evaluations; and foster an internal culture of learning.
Ideal candidates for the Director role will bring a strong understanding of both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods and practices, and experience working flexibly with program teams to identify and deploy evaluation processes aimed at usability and learning; at least ten years of experience in a nonprofit organization, foundation, or research institution; and high emotional intelligence with the ability to provide nuanced support to team members on issues that may be challenges or points of opportunity. S/he/they will bring an engaging, accessible, and flexible style that builds trust and confidence across diverse team cultures and priorities and will be a natural collaborator with a service orientation and ability to listen and deftly influence and guide individuals and teams.
TO APPLY
This search is being led by Allison Kupfer Poteet and Cara Pearsall of NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s candidate portal.
Cultivating a diverse and inclusive team is an essential component of The Sherwood Foundation’s commitment to advance equity. Candidates of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Our Lead
Allison Kupfer Poteet
She/Her/Hers
Managing Partner
Allison leads a national search practice that spans philanthropy at all levels, direct service providers, and a range of nonprofits advancing solutions through policy, advocacy, evaluation and learning, and other innovative approaches to social change.