About The Action Lab:

The Action Lab is the way in which The Contingent explores new ways to empower leaders and mobilize the community to solve difficult challenges rising to the forefront. It is the mechanism by which we innovate while keeping our commitment to the community; centering community voice, recognizing the value in every person to fulfill our mission and partner with the communities we serve. 

Opportunity Summary:

The Action Lab Director will lead the Action Lab’s efforts across multiple jurisdictions, driving community-based co-design initiatives and aligning innovation opportunities with The Contingent's vision. This role requires a dynamic leader with at least 5 years of experience in community engagement and co-design, who can foster innovation, launch demonstration projects, and work in a highly dynamic environment—all while centering community voices and values.

This position will focus on mobilizing community utilizing system-wide data, a commitment to technology solutions, and empowering collective impact across The Contingent’s jurisdictional partners. Immediate focus will be on: (1) prevention efforts in Oregon and Arkansas; (2) Foster family retention efforts in Oregon and Tennessee; (3) Improving licensing rates for foster families in Arkansas.

The Action Lab Director will be successful when state and nonprofit partners are aligned to demonstration projects that are being tested for scalability. The Director will work with program stakeholders internal to The Contingent, state child welfare agencies, local backbone organizations, and people with lived experience.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

  • Lead and manage the Action Lab, ensuring alignment with The Contingent's mission and vision, across multiple jurisdictions. 

  • Conduct community-based co-design processes, ensuring active participation and input from diverse community members to develop insights, and design in complex service environments to mobilize community and empower leaders. 

  • Design innovative solutions that demonstrate a deep understanding of people’s needs with an eye towards how data and technology can be used to solve community problems. 

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and leaders. 

  • Work within prescribed timelines and position The Contingent’s innovation efforts to meet funder deadlines and expectations. 

  • Oversee project management, including planning, execution, and evaluation of initiatives. 

  • Ensure that all projects reflect the community's needs and values, and promote sustainable, impactful solutions. 

  • Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, providing regular updates on progress and outcomes. 

  • Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the Action Lab and The Contingent. 

Other responsibilities and duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education and Experience:

  • Bachelors in related field (Sociology, Social Work, Early Childhood Education and Training, Or Associates (in related field) with 5+ years' experience 

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in leading community-based co-design initiatives with an equity-centered approach to design and research. You have the tools and desire to engage in conversations about race, ability, gender, sexual orientation, equity, and justice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

  • Experience in successfully working with a diverse group of constituents utilizing multi-cultural intelligence, using intentional listening, appreciation, and respect.

  • Utilize multi-cultural intelligence, intentional listening, and appreciation and respect to engage with a diverse group of constituents.  

  • The ability to work independently and cooperatively in a diverse, perpetually changing environment, while maintaining a calm and positive spirit.  

  • Effective communicator with strong written, verbal, and public speaking skills that is experienced in engaging with diverse audiences. 

  • Excellent organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills.

  • The capability of handling ambiguity and driving the work autonomously. 

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), experience with SharePoint, Asana, and Microsoft Teams is preferred.

  • Experience working with Microsoft Dynamics 365, or another CRM (Customer Relations Management) platform.

  • Experience supporting teams of entry-level professionals and coaching rising leaders in their development.

Personal Qualifications:

  • Relates well and works effectively with diverse groups of people who represent the range of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

  • Ability to articulate a position on the importance of the faith community engaging vulnerable children, youth, and families.

  • Deep commitment to serving vulnerable kids, youth, and families and those in government who work with them.

  • Deep commitment to increasing the diversity of leadership in the communities we serve.

  • Continual growth mindset to develop and improve existing processes to enhance program efficiencies.

  • Demonstrates a passion for operational, technical, and customer experience excellence.

  • Flexible and receptive to constructive feedback.

  • Self-motivated leader that takes initiative.

  • Adaptable to changing situations and processes.

  • Possess cultural and emotional intelligence and an ability to work with a diverse group of leaders.

  • Demonstrates a passion for operational, technical, and customer experience excellence.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive benefits including premium medical, vision, and dental insurance.

  • Covered 100% for employee and partially (80%) for spouse and/or dependents.

  • 19 paid holidays, with additional vacation, sick, bereavement and parental leave.

  • 401(k) with a 4% (annual salary) match.

Employment Terms, Accountability, and Compensation:

  • Full Time (40hrs) exempt annual salary offered at a range of $110,000 - $120,000 (estimated total compensation $120,000 - $130,000) doe 

    • Starting placement will not exceed this starting pay range and is based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. 

  • This is a remote position with preference to applicants that live in locations where The Contingent currently has an organizational footprint. 

  • The role will require travel up to once a month. 

  • The Contingent has a flexible work model that supports a blend of in-office, remote, virtual and on the go workers.

  • This position will be expected to work within The Contingent’s hybrid work policy (2-3 days in the office, 2-3 days from home). We have team members located in multiple time zones. To facilitate collaboration across teams, core hours for this position are 9-2 pm PST (7- 12 pm HST, 11-4pm CST, 12-5pm EST).

  • Daily schedule and in office days will result from collaboration between the employee and their supervisor.  

  • Legally eligible to work in the United States.

**"Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At The Contingent we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles."   

All employment at The Contingent is “at will” and may be terminated by either the employee or the employer at any time for any reason, with or without cause, with or without prior notice or warning. Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles of The Contingent. Upon hire, the employee agrees to undergo a 90-day probationary period, which provides additional structure, scheduled check in meetings and opportunities to receive and give feedback to and from the employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer