MENTOR seeks Director of Knowledge Management

Position Summary:

MENTOR is currently seeking a motivated individual with professional experience and a strong interest in the research and knowledge management functions of a national nonprofit organization. The Director of Knowledge Management will synthesize and analyze research from the mentoring field and facilitate thought leadership activities to promote MENTOR’s role as a leader in the field of mentoring; create and guide knowledge management initiatives to capture and demonstrate MENTOR’s impact; and play a central and integral role in new product and program development.

Principal Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Chief Program Officer, determine research and evaluation priorities for MENTOR in partnership with the Mentoring Partnership Network, including new areas of research to explore and pilot projects to undertake
• Use research, evaluation and problem solving skills to manage research projects, identify and capture key learnings and impact and help in-house staff interpret and use data to make the continued case for expanding quality mentoring
• Oversee the systematic collection and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data to better capture, document and disseminate the impact of MENTOR and mentoring’s work and apply what is learned
• Develop innovative means to showcase MENTOR’s technical leadership, innovation and programmatic impact
• Lead product strategy and roadmap planning efforts for knowledge sharing among Mentoring Partnerships and other key leaders in the mentoring field
• Build on the work of the Collaborative Mentoring Webinar Series to identify, evaluate and develop knowledge systems and processes that are cost effective and meet the needs of the mentoring community
• Contribute to building the knowledge and capacity of Mentoring Partnerships in the Core Functional Area of Data Collection and Knowledge Management, helping to inform the collective data the Mentoring Partnership Network should be tracking to reflect the impact of the mentoring field
• Regularly interact with and develop strategic alliances with leading external researchers both within and outside of the mentoring field to influence and inform their work
• Identify gaps in the current mentoring research and generate targeted, effective solutions to meet these gaps.
• Present research internally and externally including representing MENTOR at local and national speaking engagements and conferences
• Work with Center for Evidence Based Mentoring and leading researchers to manage the completion of theElements of Effective Practice for Mentoring 4^th Edition
• Play a key role in the implementation of the National Mentoring Resource Center
• Examine The Mentoring Effect report and determine how to use this data on an on-going basis to drive strategy, as well as help determine if this report is the right measure and the frequency at which this research should be conducted and tied to Mentoring Partnership data collection efforts.
• Create research and data driven tools to advance the field of mentoring and in turn drive policy and funding for mentoring

General Management and Team Orientation

• Serve as an active, hands-on and contributing member of the MENTOR staff team.
• Ensure that the appropriate systems, staffing and procedures are in place to adequately support and serve the network of Mentoring Partnerships.

 

 

The Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is an action-oriented, hands-on professional who thrives in an entrepreneurial work environment. He/she is a manager and leader, but also rolls up his/her sleeves to get the job done, regardless of the task. He/she is a strong critical thinker who can lead research strategy and tactically manage plans. The ideal Director of Knowledge Management has a passion for data analysis and outstanding quantitative skills with the ability to analyze data and research and apply it to the field. He/she is a problem solver who works well in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in research and evaluation, preferably in a nonprofit organization
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work on multiple projects simultaneously
• A strong critical thinker who can lead research strategy and tactically manage plans
• Excellent organization and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience developing surveys and interview protocols
• Demonstrated ability to build the knowledge and capacity of in-house staff in core programming areas to contribute more directly to program substance and reduce reliance on outside expertise
• Strong project management skills with the desire to work collaboratively
• Passion for supporting disadvantaged youth and youth programming, preferably in the field of mentoring
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; graduate degree in social sciences or advanced coursework in qualitative and quantitative research methods preferred

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to resume@mentoring.org.