Manager, Certification, WWC

Organization: Results for America 

Role: Manager, Certification, What Works Cities

Location: Flexible 

Organization Overview

Results for America (RFA) is the leading, national nonprofit organization helping policymakers at all levels of government harness the power of evidence and data to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Our mission is to make investing in what works the “new normal,” so that, one day, all government leaders use rigorous evidence and quality data to inform important policy and funding decisions. We believe that data-driven and evidence-based policy decisions could significantly increase the impact of the over $1 trillion that governments spend annually to advance economic mobility and racial equity.

Department Overview

At Results for America, one of our flagship local initiatives is What Works Cities (WWC), a Bloomberg Philanthropies funded initiative that helps city governments across the country improve residents’ lives by using data and evidence effectively to tackle pressing challenges. To accomplish this, we work directly with city leaders and staff through coaching and implementation support, a range of online and in-person learning opportunities, and a growing professional network. This support is guided by What Works Cities Certification, the first-ever international standard of excellence for data-driven, well-managed local government. 

What Works Cities Certification assesses cities based on their data-driven decision-making practices, such as whether they are using data to set goals and track progress, allocate funding, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and achieve desired outcomes from contracts with outside vendors. The program also measures whether cities are publicly and transparently communicating about their use of data and evidence. By aspiring toward Certification and implementing the best practices outlined in the program’s criteria, cities across the country are more effectively delivering results for residents. What Works Cities Certification also serves as an international recognition program, which celebrates and accelerates the use of data and evidence in local governments by rewarding achievements and providing a clear path to excellence. Since our launch in 2015, we have helped more than 250 cities make progress on their most pressing issues, from health and public safety to homelessness and blight.

Position Overview 

Results for America is seeking a dynamic professional with a passion for improving the performance of city government with strong research, analytical and interpersonal skills to join the Certification team. The Manager will play a crucial role in guiding cities through the assessment process, evaluating cities’ practices against the What Works Cities Standard and  supporting cities’ progress towards achieving Certification. This position will also lead research efforts to strengthen the value proposition of What Works Cities while communicating the program’s impact including stewarding of outcome metrics for all cities within the What Works Cities portfolio. 

Travel up to 20% annually will be required for organization wide meetings; city visits and attendance at external convenings. 

This is a full time, exempt position, based in a home office anywhere within the U.S.

Position Reporting Relationship

The Manager, Certification reports to the Senior Manager, Certification for the United States and Canada while working closely with the Associate Director, Certification on research and impact workstreams.

Position Responsibilities 

The responsibilities of the Manager, Certification, include but are not limited to: 

Certification Program Implementation and Support (35%):

• Conduct and complete reviews of assessments submitted by local governments, including careful review of supporting documentation; 
• Lead office hours and calls with cities including to walk them through the assessment submission process, to answer questions about the Standard and Certification process, and to review and debrief their cities’ assessment and practices;
• Lead high performing cities through the full Certification cycle, including planning and designing city site visits and conducting meetings with city staff and chief executives, identifying impacts and outcomes of the cities’ data-driven efforts, and contributing to the announcement and celebration of cities that achieve Certification;
• Support a high-quality experience for all cities participating the Certification program, including proactively engaging with cities and responding in a timely manner to all city inquiries and assessment submissions;
• Draft reports and presentations based on internal and external data about cities
• Support the development of site visit materials and coordination of site visit logistics teamwide;
• Conduct desk research to assist local governments in the documentation submission and assessment validation process; and
• Provide additional support for special projects as needed.

Data Collection and Analysis for Research and Impact (30%):

• In close consultation with the Associate Director, Certification, help design and operationalize the measurement of the Certification program’s impact and the related data-driven outcomes occurring within the portfolio of cities;
• In support of Results for America’s North Star Goals, manage the What Works Cities team’s efforts to track and report local government dollars shifted towards evidence-based solutions that advance economic mobility;
• Manage and monitor impact-related data collection for the Certification Team and respond to internal and external data requests;
• Support the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the resident outcomes framework;
• Conduct analysis on Certification data to identify trends and support program improvement and to support impact, story-telling, and / or research, both internally and externally;
• Support communication related to the program’s impact to key stakeholders, including developing presentation decks, reports, and data analysis that demonstrate the impact of the program and data-driven work being done in cities;
• Support the development of all internal and funder impact deliverables including but not limited to quarterly reports, bi-annual and annual reports; amd
• In collaboration with the Community & Impact teams, input data and impact stories for the supported portfolio of client-cities in the Certification Community into Salesforce systems.

Public Goods (20%)

• Support the management and on-going content development of an online compendium of city best practices and resources to help cities successfully submit an assessment and advance on criteria, including the research and tracking of data-driven practices, programs, policies, and additional data points in cities;
• Assist with the development and maintenance of the repository of Leading Examples for all Certified cities, to be made publicly available and shared with governments; and
• Assist with the development and execution of public goods and communications to spread awareness and encourage city leaders and practitioners to complete an assessment and participate in the Certification program

Outreach (10%)

Support outreach and recruitment efforts to bring cities into the WWC Initiative, including sending emails and/or conducting information sessions and meetings with city staff; and

• Attend national conferences to meet with city practitioners and staff to promote the What Works Cities initiative and support recruitment efforts.

Administration (5%)

• Support the Certification team with light administrative work as requested.

All RFA employees are expected to participate in the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

This is a full-time, exempt position. There will be opportunities for travel, consistent with the responsibilities outlined above.

Experience, Competencies, and Qualifications 

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, as well as an alignment with Results for America’s mission and organizational values:

Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree and 6-8 years of relevant work experience;
• Significant experience working with local governments, a knowledge of their structures and constraints, and a commitment to driving innovation and improvements in the effectiveness of local governments;
• Experience with research and analysis, customer service, and relationship management;
• Demonstrated track record of successful project completion and results from production even in ambiguous environments, taking initiative to solve problems, and cultivating strong, mutually beneficial partnerships;
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-team/cross-department initiatives;
• Experience successfully managing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders; and
• Experience working in the nonprofit/philanthropic sector is a plus.

Competencies:

• An analytical mindset with critical thinking and proactive problem-solving skills;
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communications skills;
• Exhibit a strong work ethic and solid organizational skills, including attention to detail, time management and multitasking skills;
• Demonstrated skills using Salesforce, Tableau, Google Suite, MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and strong knowledge of database management with the ability to construct and produce reports;
• Research, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills; experience with statistical software such as SAS, R, or Python a plus;
• A commitment to a collegial workplace;
• Self-starter with the ability to drive multiple projects forward and work independently in a fast-paced, results-oriented workplace;
• Strong commitment to the Results for America mission and vision;
• Strong commitment to RFA’s diversity, equality, and inclusion commitments; and
• French, Spanish and/or Portuguese speaking skills are a plus.

Salary and Benefits

Results for America offers a compensation package that includes:   

• A competitive base salary commensurate with relevant work experience; and
• A benefits package that includes choice in medical plans; dental/vision coverage; paid time off; a 403b retirement plan with employer contribution.  

The salary range for this position is $81,576 - $92,906.

New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.   

How to Apply 

To apply for this position, please complete and submit all information in the application link below.

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to include their pronouns in their cover letter.

RFA is an equal opportunity employer that values/celebrates diversity and that follows a policy of making all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, partnership status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking, military status, veteran status or any other category protected under federal, state or local law.

Applicants for employment with RFA must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.