Senior Director, Learning and Impact

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Director, Learning and Impact based in United States.

The Senior Director, Learning and Impact will lead the development and implementation of an organization-wide learning and impact strategy, helping turn insights from community partnerships into stronger programs and meaningful outcomes for children and young people. This senior leadership role will shape learning frameworks, strengthen evaluation practices, and build the systems and culture needed to support continuous improvement. Working across international teams and diverse partner networks, you will promote participatory, equitable, and trust-based approaches to measuring change. You will guide the organization through the early implementation of a new programmatic framework, ensuring that evidence informs decisions without placing unnecessary demands on partners. The role also offers the opportunity to influence wider philanthropic conversations around impact, accountability, and community-led learning.

Accountabilities

You will provide strategic direction for the Learning and Evaluation function, lead a multidisciplinary team, and ensure that learning is embedded in organizational decision-making and program delivery. You will work closely with Programs, Development, Communications, and Operations to strengthen impact measurement, share insights, and support continuous adaptation. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and develop the Learning and Evaluation function, setting its vision, annual priorities, team structure, and budget in alignment with organizational strategy.

• Manage, coach, and support team members, establishing clear expectations, providing regular feedback, encouraging professional development, and fostering an inclusive team culture.

• Design, implement, and maintain the organization's learning infrastructure, including systems, tools, processes, and routines that make learning an ongoing organizational practice.

• Oversee and continuously refine the Learning Agenda and Outcomes Framework, translating strategic priorities into practical indicators, learning questions, and reflection processes.

• Develop and guide theories of change at organizational, strategic, and impact-area levels, working with program teams and partners to identify assumptions, pathways, and supporting evidence.

• Steward learning and outcomes frameworks across key impact areas, including gender justice and climate justice, ensuring alignment with broader programmatic goals and approaches.

• Lead the first three years of the new programmatic framework as a learning phase, using evidence and partner perspectives to test assumptions and refine priorities.

• Develop credible approaches to demonstrating the organization's contribution to change across children and young people, partner organizations, and wider ecosystems without overstating attribution.

• Guide or commission research on issues affecting children and young people, collaborating with partners and relevant stakeholders.

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative information, including partner data, research findings, and learning reviews, to identify patterns and actionable insights.

• Introduce participatory learning practices, including reflection exercises, evaluation activities, learning conversations, and strategy reviews.

• Coach program teams to integrate data collection and learning into their daily work while minimizing reporting burdens on partners.

• Build an organization-wide learning culture that encourages curiosity, honest reflection, openness to challenges, and evidence-informed decision-making.

• Create regular opportunities for cross-functional reflection and sense-making, bringing together Programs, Development, Communications, Operations, and leadership.

• Lead the collection and management of quantitative data and qualitative stories across the portfolio, ensuring data quality, governance, and ethical use.

• Oversee data and knowledge management systems, including the responsible use of AI tools and collaboration on platforms such as Salesforce.

• Work with safeguarding and communications colleagues to ensure that data collection and storytelling protect the dignity, consent, and safety of children, young people, and communities.

• Synthesize learning across programs and regions into strategic insights for senior leadership and the Board.

• Collaborate on impact reports, donor communications, and external publications, sharing organizational learning with partners, peer networks, and the wider philanthropic sector.

• Model organizational values and commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in leadership, collaboration, and decision-making.

Requirements:

You are a strategic and collaborative leader with substantial experience in learning, evaluation, research, or impact management, ideally within an…