Founded in 2017, the Hector and Gloria Lopez Foundation (HGLF) is committed to the principle that advanced education is the basis for economic opportunity. In the 1940s, founders Hector Lopez and Gloria Garcia Lopez obtained their degrees with honors from prominent Texas universities. This was unique in the small South Texas towns in which they were born and lived throughout their lives. Their academic achievements and a strong work ethic, combined with legal and financial management expertise were the foundation of the couple’s success as landowners.
This commitment to education and work ethic lives on through the foundation. The foundation is committed to providing post-secondary academic support for students and addressing the systematic barriers that stand in the way of their post-secondary attainment. The goals of the foundation will be realized through areas of focus; scholarships, programs focused on college preparation and persistence, data, innovation and advocacy.
Full-time employees are eligible for company benefits. The Foundation offer competitive salaries, professional training, health, dental and vision benefits, life insurance, short and long-term disability, sick leave, company holidays and a 401(k) plan with an employer contribution and match.
In pursuit of the philanthropic goals and mission of HGLF, the role of Senior Research and Evaluation Officer is responsible for researching national and local economic and educational data to inform and guide the Philanthropy team on grants strategy. The Foundation strategy will focus on students from five geographic areas to include: Austin, El Paso, San Antonio, South Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley.
The Senior Research and Evaluation Officer reports to the Philanthropic Director and is an integral part of the grant-making team at the Foundation.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
● Build the Foundation’s impact data infrastructure, to enable the collection, analysis, and evaluation of data to inform the Foundation’s leadership and articulate the Foundation’s longitudinal impact.
● Develop, in collaboration with the Philanthropic team, a comprehensive regional needs assessment.
● Design, implement and monitor an evaluation program that assesses the impact and effectiveness of the organization's programs and initiatives. May include assessment of and collaboration with external vendors.
● Research external data sources and integrate findings with internal metrics to support comprehensive evaluation.
● Develops reports demonstrating Foundation’s impacts and communicates to Foundation officers and Board of Directors to support decision-making. Also supports data needs for inclusion in the annual report and other communications.
Required Skills/Abilities:
● Demonstrated expertise in evaluation and assessment planning and design
● Knowledge of the educational system data resources in Texas and beyond.
● Prior experience in the post-secondary educational system and/or regional education collaboratives that focus on post-secondary completion is preferred.
● Excellent organizational, problem solving and coordination skills, with demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload
● Ability to work collaboratively.
● Flexible and open to change while holding self and others accountable for high- quality performance.
● Experience with grantmaking software, proficiency in Google Suite (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) and the ability to learn new or updated software.
Education and Experience:
● Typically has 5 or more years of related experience. Bachelor’s degree required. Master's Degree or PhD preferred. Other considerations:
● Based in Austin, TX. Up to 30% travel required.