Data Solutions Manager

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

Position Summary

The Data Solutions Manager ensures data accuracy, accessibility, and actionability by translating functional data needs into practical solutions for PRI leaders and community partners. This role collaborates with Data Team leadership to develop and maintain a Microsoft Fabric-based data management system, requiring proficiency in SQL, Power BI, Fabric, Power Query, and Power Automate for task automation.

Supporting technical staff, this role utilizes R or Python for data analysis and applies quantitative evaluation methods like regression modeling and quasi-experimental design to assess PRI's impact. The Manager fosters a data-driven culture, integrating technology to deliver actionable insights. Reporting to the Associate Director of Data and Evaluation, this role provides critical data support across PRI, ensuring that All Rural Students Succeed.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Making Meaning with Data:

• Design and manage solutions for PRI’s data pipeline architecture with Microsoft Fabric in collaboration with the Data Team and our longitudinal data system vendor
• Ensure data solutions are aligned with organizational and program goals
• Monitor and optimize the performance of data systems, ensuring their reliability, efficiency, and security
• Collaborate with PRI leaders to implement standardized data reporting, analytics, and visualization tools Develop and manage a repository of all data architecture procedures and artifacts
• Develop PowerBI visualizations and conduct analysis to present findings to PRI leaders and community partners
• Design and employ predictive models related to student outcomes that identify patterns, relationships, and problems
• Analyze internal and external data to provide insights into PRI program performance

Field Learning Support:

• Collaborate with Data Analysts to foster best practices, innovation, and continuous learning, including participation in presentations and teaching demonstrations.
• Evaluate the performance of the longitudinal data system and identify best practices to enhance use and utilization
• Evaluate data governance policies and identify best practices for improvement
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as program managers and external partners, to support data driven decision-making and program improvement
• Across all areas of work, develop and reinforce a data-driven culture
• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed

Position Location & Schedule

The position will be considered for remote work with local, state, and sometimes national travel required.

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work as a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, economics, management of information systems, statistics, or related field, or an Associate's degree and three years of relevant experience

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• At least two years of relevant experience with data management, analytics, and visualization
• Experience with data visualization tools and reporting
• Experience translating complex, fluid organizational processes into accessible, understandable interfaces
• Experience empowering non-technical users with intuitive tools for processing and analyzing of data
• Proficiency in Fabric, PowerBI, SQL, APIs, relational data bases, Excel, Power Automate, and working in the Microsoft environment
• Proficiency in at least one programming language for statistical computing, such as Python or R
• Solid foundation in statistics and experience in using regression modeling to explore relationships in large datasets
• Experience working within public education and/or non-profit services industry is preferred.

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Proficiency in data management and analysis
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff and partners
• Experience with adult learning, training and meeting facilitation
• Experience Integrating APIs and/or external datasets
• Experience with data mapping
• Education and non-profit services industry knowledge
• Excellent project management skills; ability to independently define and adjust the goal, process, timing, and granular steps required for success
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, provide direct support as needed, and complete tasks without immediate supervision

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Valid driver’s license
• Successfully complete pre-employment background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work in a high-energy office
• Ability to accurately communicate and exchange information with partners, stakeholders, and/or meeting participants
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• Ability to operate motor vehicle
• Ability to travel independently by car and plane both locally and nationally

Environmental conditions:

• Work in a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities
• Flexible schedule and ability to travel to meetings off-site

Additional Company Information

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family.

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program.
• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.

Partners for Rural Impact is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.