Manager, Innovation & Data

BACKGROUND
The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) supports public schools by investing in the talented educators who lead them. As an independent nonprofit organization we partner with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) the City of Chicago the local philanthropic community principals and aspiring principals to build and sustain a culture of strong leadership. For more than two decades our supportive program and policy efforts and our willingness to innovate alongside educators have made a measurable positive impact on the quality of leadership in schools and helped educators support student our current campaign Chicago Leads we will raise and invest $50M to deepen and strengthen leadership in Chicagos 636 public schools.

Organizational Values

We are solutions-oriented. We approach our work with a proactive and productive mindset. Challenges are part of the work; we aim for continuous improvement.

We are collaborative. We understand that each team member relies on others to achieve goals. We ask for help when we need it and provide help when asked. The organization as a whole is more significant than any one of us alone.

We act with integrity. We say what we will do and we do what we say. We are honest about what we know and what we are learning; this helps us achieve the best possible outcomes.

We prioritize equity. Our work prioritizes leaders who serve and represent communities most directly impacted by structural racism and systematic exclusion. On our team we actively recruit and hire for diversity in all areas of identity. Our commitments are lived out loud.

MANAGER INNOVATION & DATA

The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) is seeking a dynamic and data-savvy professional to join our team as the Manager of Innovation & Data. This role will be instrumental in supporting data collection and analysis to drive program and innovation and in improving both internal and external systems. You will lead our Continuous Improvement (C/I) efforts across the team and with partners supporting regular data reflections that lead to meaningful behavior program or policy changes.

This role also provides high-level data analysis for the Board and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) using data to inform strategic decisions. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with top-tier data skills and the ability to communicate complex findings in compelling ways through memos and presentations. If you thrive in a fast-paced data-driven environment and enjoy both strategic leadership and hands-on data analysis this role is for you.

You will be primarily responsible for two key workstreams:

1. Lead Cross-Functional Data Collaborative: In your role you will work with members across verticals that provide data analysis to improve existing systems processes and tools to help ensure our data infrastructure and system is driving action and change for our program and policy work. You will dive into our Continuous Improvement (C/I) work identifying opportunities for redesign and optimization as needed. You will fill in gaps in the current data systems and ensure that the dashboards and project management system are meeting the needs of the organization and the team members who utilize the data to make decisions.
2. Facilitate Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement: In your role you will support internal Continuous Improvement efforts for the Program and Innovation team and for overall team meetings. You will also support the broader strategic planning process for the 2026-27 school year working with the Director Data and Innovation the Chief of Staff and the Director Finance and Operations to facilitate a process that leads to a strong strategic plan to meet organizational KPIs. Developing tools and frameworks to ensure data reflections lead to clear program behavior or policy changes.
3. Provide Board-Level Data Analysis for Strategic Decision-Making: In your role you will build presentations that leverage data to support decision-making for The Funds Board and CPS. You will focus on analyzing new data sets quickly and translating findings into clear actionable formats such as slides and reports that support our program and innovation strategy to improve principal quality in Chicago.
   

Over time your role will evolve to include:

• Managing associates and/or fellows in a short-term capacity.
• Developing expertise in specific areas such as state school code 5Essentials data and budget information to deepen stakeholder engagement.
• Continually enhancing The Funds capacity for using data to inform strategic decisions and actions.
• Board process and strategy in the future.
• Supporting the Senior Manager People to develop trainings that support project management skill development as part of continuous improvement efforts.

As a member of The Fund team your broader culture contributions will include:

• Offering ideas and supporting projects that help achieve The Funds main goals. Your input is crucial for our success.
• Participating in the Managers Cohort to work with colleagues share knowledge improve your leadership skills and work on projects that involve different parts of the organization.
• Attending events and meetings to represent The Fund showing our dedication to enhancing Chicagos education. Your efforts are key to strengthening our relationships and reputation.
• Helping with projects that involve multiple teams showing your commitment to our values and helping our team work well together.
• Focusing on your professional growth by taking part in educational opportunities and keeping up with the latest

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate is highly skilled in data systems and analysis with a strategic mindset and the ability to lead data-driven improvement processes across teams. You should have experience using data to inform both programmatic and policy decisions and be adept at facilitating conversations that turn data insights into meaningful actions.

You likely have a background in consulting with a blend of high-level analytical skills and strong project management abilities. Youre comfortable leading and managing data projects in fast-paced environments and you thrive on both strategic leadership and hands-on data work.

Required qualifications include:

• Bachelors degree in Data Science Statistics Education or a related field (Masters degree preferred).
• 3-5 years of experience in data analysis program evaluation or continuous improvement ideally within education or nonprofit sectors.
• Strong proficiency with data visualization tools (e.g. Tableau PowerBI) and statistical software (e.g. R Python SPSS).
• Exceptional skills in data storytelling including drafting memos and creating presentations that compel action.
• Experience facilitating data-driven conversations and turning insights into actions.
• Familiarity with educational performance frameworks including the Five Es and continuous improvement models.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and build capacity for data literacy.
• Experience in people management including leading teams coaching and performance evaluation to foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Exceptional skills in project management with a track record of planning executing and delivering projects on time while managing cross-functional stakeholders.

COMPENSATION
The salary band for a Manager at The Fund starts at $84048 and up to $99807 over time based on a strong ability to regularly exceed expectations and market adjustments. The Fund offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package including healthcare coverage retirement contribution generous paid-time-off for all team members and paid short-term and family leave. Please note that The Fund team works primarily in-person in schools and out of our offices in downtown Chicago with flexibility to work from home one day per week (Wednesdays). Certain program events may require on-site attendance on Wednesdays as well as occasional evenings and weekends.

TO APPLY

The position is available immediately and we are actively seeking candidates. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through January 5th 2026. Applying early increases your chances of being invited for an interview.

Please visit and follow the links to navigate to the Manager Innovation & Data job description. Once there use the Apply button to submit your application: resume and cover letter. Finalists for any role with The Fund must undergo a background check to be considered for employment.

If you have questions about the job application please contact Yaslin via email at . Please note that we are unable to provide responses to phone inquiries regarding this position.

The Fund employs and values a diverse workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to engaging the skills and leadership of people of color low-income persons LGBTQ persons differently abled people and other people from historically marginalized backgrounds. We strongly encourage people from these communities to apply.