Data Manager

Who We Are

VCET is a statewide organization that serves a broad network of partners across the Commonwealth. We envision a multi-racial democracy in Virginia where the full diversity of the Commonwealth is actively participating, representing, and transforming our democracy; where white supremacy is being actively dismantled, people of color, working families, and impacted communities are thriving in a just economy and leading healthy lives. We work towards our vision by cultivating a diverse and progressive leadership pipeline in Virginia, driving collaboration among partners through equitable and inclusive relationships, and growing shared capacity and resources for the progressive movement infrastructure in the Commonwealth.

VCET is a nonpartisan, 501c3 organization dedicated to fostering greater civic engagement in Virginia. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we make a particular effort to recruit people with historically marginalized identities to apply for open positions. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

What You’ll Do

Data is one of the most important and powerful ways we support capacity-building and social change in the Commonwealth. With supervision from the Executive Director, the Data Manager plays an important role in helping to set shared strategy among partner organizations that sit at the table. The person in this position is responsible for using voter, demographic and other data to help inform partner programs as well as support groups to integrate data best practices to inform field organizing strategies.

Data Administration (50%)

• Act as the primary administrator for VCET’s VAN and tech tools suite, overseeing all data requests, user permissions, and data inputting
• Manage and continually improve VCET’s coordinated universe in VAN, for use by a wide range of partner organizations conducting direct voter contact efforts
• Maintain documentation of all voter contact, turnout, and election protection data
• Monitor use of VAN to ensure compliance with state and national policies
• Provide VAN administration by managing user and security settings for table partners and their consultants
• Own communication of platform changes to end users and other stakeholders
• Create reports and dashboards
• Make recommendations for additional field tools that will support the table’s strategy and partner field work

Partner Services (35%)

• Using data, VAN and other technologies, work with partner organizations to support the development of their field organizing and voter contact plans and make strategic recommendations on how best to use data effectively, including standards for data collection, data acquisition, and preservation
• Provide relevant materials that support collective strategy and partner programs, including the creation of target universes, list match reports, and trends/disparity analyses
• Provide technical assistance with the use of VAN and other field tools which includes handling partner data requests, uploading data, setting up predictive dialer phone banks, robocalls and robosurveys, supporting MiniVAN, etc
• Help partners make meaning of their data to answer key organizational questions
• Host trainings for partner staff and/or volunteers on basic VAN use, data hygiene, data collection practices
• Manage use of peer-to-peer (P2P) texting tool and dialers, ensuring partners are compliant in their civic engagement efforts
• Support a broad range of partner organizations with their use of field organizing tools in VAN. Examples may include: creating multi-step lists, creating survey questions and activist codes, creating scripts, setting up phone banks, cutting turf, bulk uploading data, etc.
• Resolve any tickets filed by partners seeking assistance with data requests or use of digital tools
• Attend regular check-ins with partners to ensure VCET is supporting them to the best of our ability

Admin and Special Projects (15%)

• Compile data and conduct analyses on primary and general elections in Virginia to inform current and future programmatic efforts
• Function as part of a national data peer network, which includes regular calls and trainings with State Voices national data team to help maintain a shared data infrastructure across the states
• Participate in national working groups to develop nation-wide standards and best practices
• Work closely with the Operations Manager to track expenditures and offer budget recommendations
• Attend local, regional and national coalition convenings as a representative of VCET or our coalitions
• Prepare, present, and distribute programmatic reports every quarter
• Other duties as assigned

Your Starting Point

You will be stepping into a role that has been a longstanding program at the organization – steering an already-built ship. Data is often our partners’ first stop for support. This support looks as different and diverse as our partner network is. You will be offering assistance and guidance to large organizations with numerous staffers as well as to smaller organizations that are volunteer founded and run. We are looking for someone who can adapt that support and knowledge to their audience’s needs, including specific constituencies and geographies. We are looking for someone data-driven who’s also passionate about movement work, who has the patience and empathy needed to help our partners solve their problems, and who thrives off the interpersonal connections we make daily.

Who You Are

To be successful in this role, you will have at least 1-3 years of experience in data management, with experience in VAN; as well as an organizer’s mentality and a passion for movement-building .

• Data + Tech Savvy: You know a data program is made up of tech and people and you’ve worked with both to ensure the data in your systems is clean, accurate, and timely. You believe in making data work more transparent, and you have an eye for ways to simplify processes for user experience. You know user adoption and usability are keys to a successful and healthy data program. You enjoy the challenge of learning a new tool or software, and embrace change. You have knowledge of an interest in learning data management tools like SQL, Access, etc., visualization tools like Power BI, Tableau, Periscope, etc., and mapping tools like ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.
• Effective project manager: You have an ability to handle a wave of new requests while keeping the big picture and long term projects in mind. You hold a high bar for the timeliness of your work, including follow-up and follow-through. You ask for help when needed. You leave things (and people) better than you found them. You exhibit these qualities without succumbing to perfectionism or false urgency, and you don’t expect that of your colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills: You love people, and the mosaic that makes up communities of people. You lean into conversations; that doesn’t mean you’re an extrovert but you’re curious and care about people. You listen to understand and can clearly communicate the next steps to address the challenges expressed (be that an immediate band-aid, a long-term fix, or an empathetic, “not right now and here’s why”). You understand the importance of training folks to utilize civic engagement tools as a method of power-building. You are known for being able to understand and translate data jargon into language the rest of us can easily follow.
• Skilled and collaborative problem-solver: You’re comfortable proposing ideas as solutions, even if they don’t alway stick. You value each step from ideation to implementation. You can weigh multiple, sometimes competing factors; the impact of various decisions; who may be helped or harmed as a result of those decisions; and identify practical options.
• Demonstrated track record of advancing racial equity and justice: You are conscientious of the ways race and other identities intersect in biases and inequities in the workplace as well as in data systems. You center equity, justice, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of the work. You proactively spot equity and justice in the work and can bring practical solutions by drawing on personal experience combating white supremacy and other interconnecting systems of oppression. You can name and grapple with how your own identities play out in the work. Your north star is systems and culture change that operationalizes equity. You know “how we do” is just as important as “what we do.”

Note: Research shows that people from minoritized groups apply to jobs only if they meet every single qualification. No one, not even the strongest candidates, meets every qualification. If the work we do at VCET piques your interest and you think you could be a good fit for our team, we urge you to not exclude yourself prematurely and to submit your resume for consideration. There are no formal education requirements for this position. People of all educational backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

This position requires access to a computer, internet, and reliable transportation. If you do not have a computer or access to a vehicle, it will not affect your candidacy and we will provide necessary equipment or tools upon hiring.

Salary and Benefits

Job Type: Full Time

Starting Annual Salary: $60,000 – $70,000

We aim to offer competitive salaries and benefits and are committed to equity, trust, and transparency in compensation. Basing compensation on someone’s willingness and ability to negotiate or on their prior salary leads to wide inequities and bias in how people are paid, particularly for groups experiencing historical oppression. Therefore, our offer-making process is negotiation-free for salaries and benefits. We offer our best possible salary based on relevant experience and extent to which candidates demonstrate the competencies for the role during the entire hiring process. VCET also uses an annual performance evaluation process at the end of each year to determine raises and promotions.

VCET offers a competitive compensation package including, but not limited to 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision premiums for employees, and an 80% coverage of premiums for spouses and dependents. VCET is also pleased to offer an annual $500 FSA contribution, 3% match on retirement savings (available after 3 months of employment), and generous PTO – with between 19 and 23 days offered per year, depending on tenure. The team also practices “Summer Fridays” with a four-day workweek from May to August.

Location

VCET is a distributed team in Virginia. The ideal candidate would be based in Virginia, but we are open to considering candidates based in the DC-metro area. Travel is required across Virginia for in-person programs and occasionally across the U.S. for other work-related conferences.

Application Process

1. To apply for this position, please submit your resume here by Sunday, January 5th. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
2. Initial Zoom Interview: You will receive an email with a link to schedule a 45-minute zoom interview with the hiring managers for this position. The purpose of this stage is to assess basic qualifications as outlined in the job description and follow up on any details from your resume or responses. Interviews will be held on a rolling deadline.
3. Paid work activity: If selected to move into the 3rd round, you will be sent a short work activity. Upon submission, candidates will be paid $50 for their time.
4. Zoom Panel Interview: Candidates selected for the official final round of interviews will meet with a panel of VCET staff for a 60-minute interview. These questions are intended to get to know you more and how you see yourself in this work, as well as compatibility with the culture & approach of VCET. Interview questions will be shared ahead of time.

Benefits

VCET offers a competitive compensation package including, but not limited to 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision premiums for employees, and an 80% coverage of premiums for spouses and dependents. VCET is also pleased to offer an annual $500 FSA contribution, 3% match on retirement savings (available after 3 months of employment), and generous PTO - with between 19 and 23 days offered per year, depending on tenure. The team also practices “Summer Fridays” with a four-day workweek from May to August.