Reports to:

Executive Director

Department:

Strategic Information and Planning

Employment Status and Work Schedule:

Exempt, full-time position, 40 hours per work week. Some evening and weekend hours required.

Position Summary

The Strategic Information and Planning (SIP) Manager is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic information plan that supports First 5 Contra Costa’s efforts to improve the lives of Contra Costa’s young children and their families.

The SIP Manager will be responsible for the development of information supporting First 5’s increasing role as an advocate for children and families and in support of policies that further First 5’s mission. The SIP Manager will serve as a leader in the county for developing information related to children 0-5 and will participate in county, regional and state initiatives to advance the knowledge of the status of young children and their families.

The SIP Manager will engage in strategic and thought partnership with the agency’s leadership team, particularly with the Executive Director, Deputy Director and the Community Affairs Manager. The SIP Manager seeks out and maintains relationships with other local, regional and statewide organizations similarly developing and using information relating to young children. The SIP Manager also plays a key role in the development and monitoring of the Commission’s strategic plan.

The ideal candidate is a strong strategic thinker, with experience and knowledge in the development and use of information that makes the case for change in organizational practice and social policy. S/he is a problem-solver and strong analytical thinker who can quickly adapt to the agency’s and community’s changing needs and opportunities. S/he is a forward thinker who excels at using data to create powerful information. The SIP Manager should have high standards for excellence as s/he oversees the work of a team of staff and contractors engaged in program evaluation and data collection. S/He is comfortable representing the agency with First 5’s many stakeholders, from residents to providers, agency directors, and other First 5s.

About First 5 Contra Costa

Research shows that a child’s brain develops most dramatically in the first five years and what parents and caregivers do during these years to support their child’s growth will have a meaningful impact throughout life. Based on this research, California voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on tobacco products to support programs for expectant parents and children ages 0 to 5. Since its inception, First 5 Contra Costa has distributed more than $120 million in Prop. 10 revenues to programs and services that meet local needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures the Commission and staff can identify and effectively communicate the status and needs of children and families in Contra Costa County
• Develops timely and persuasive information describing the county-wide trends for children and families in Contra Costa County, collaborating with other agencies as needed.
• Ensures timely communication of overall impact of programs and activities funded and engaged in by First 5 Contra Costa.
• Collaborates closely with agency staff to ensure that data and information development is closely aligned with the agency’s strategic plan and with emerging strategic directions.
• Ensures the availability of timely information to update the Commission and community on the agency’s progress on the Commission’s strategic plan, and collaborates with agency leadership and the Commission in preparing for and developing future strategic plans.
  • Develops information for local advocacy and policy around children and families, including using existing data and information from local and state agencies, as well as commissioning new information-gathering processes.
  • Tracks new and updated information and research relating to early childhood development, early education, child health, and related areas such that staff can have easy access for use in presentations, funding opportunities, training and program development.
  • Develops information for agency communications to the Commission and community, to be used in staff presentations, using the agency’s existing on-line platforms and in other forms as needed.
  • Supervises evaluation staff and contractors to ensure effective design and implementation of the evaluation framework, including monitoring output and outcome indicators described in the strategic plan, and timely development and transmission of data required or requested by outside funders, including the First 5 California annual report.
    • Develops partnerships with local and state agencies to identify and track key indicators of health, welfare and education of Contra Costa children and families.
    • Represents agency in local, regional and statewide efforts to use First 5 data and information to advance policies to support young children and their families.
    • Collaborates with staff and contractors on such deliverables as web-based dashboards, Commission meeting presentations and reports, county and regional report cards, fact sheets, social media alerts and others.
      • Collaborates with staff to determine priorities for data development and analysis projects; ensures such projects meet significant agency information needs and oversees them to completion.
      • Ensures that results from program monitoring, research and impact are used to inform future strategic direction
      • Supervises staff ensuring sufficient levels of competency and productivity to meet agency needs, as well as compliance with all agency policies and procedures.
      • Negotiates and procures professional contracts as needed and monitors to ensure successful and effective completion of work tasks.
        • Serves as a member of the agency management team providing input on decision-making regarding operational and program direction for First 5.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position supervises the Evaluation Specialist, the Database Coordinator, and the Strategic Information and Planning Assistant II.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated strategic and innovative abilities, particularly in using information to persuasively support decision-making and opinion.
• Demonstrated capability for project or program management, including planning, monitoring and presenting results on a timely basis.
• Successful experience motivating and supporting supervisees, including providing constructive feedback.
• Ability to creatively and strategically use data to inform decision-making and persuade opinion.
  • Strong analytical capacities, particularly in determining the alignment and fit between information and need.
  • Experience participating in advocacy efforts to change norms, opinions or policies, whether through collaborative efforts, social marketing, direct access to decision-makers or other means.
  • Familiarity with strategic planning principles, particularly in gathering and holding supportive information and input from multiple sources to inform strategic decision-making.
    • Experience developing budgets and demonstrated ability to understand and use financial reports to monitor and manage department budget.
    • Familiarity with trends, policies and other issues relating to children and families, such child health, early child education, child development, family support.
    • Demonstrated ability to thoughtfully consider high-level strategies and determine successful methods and tactics to achieve them.
    • Facility with developing persuasive presentations, including well-developed arguments, and illustrative data.
    • Understanding of principles of program evaluation, particularly in measuring outcomes and impact of efforts.
    • Demonstrated strong professional manner, including the willingness to respect and include the perspectives of others with diverse backgrounds and experiences, to adapt to change in a transformational environment and to make productive relationships with stakeholders within and outside the agency.
      • Able to identify and employ useful tools and techniques to help plan and organize work and use First 5 resources effectively.
      • Strong writing skills demonstrating ability to tailor written communications for particular audiences.
        • Proficient in the use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint; familiarity with Access or other database programs.
        • Valid CA driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Preferred

• Experience working in or with a funding agency, understanding of RFP and allocation processes, including contracting and grant monitoring.
• Experience working with governing bodies, including boards of directors, advisory boards, commissions.
• Knowledge of Contra Costa County.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish.