A newly created position reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Program Evaluation and Innovation provides leadership in assessing the effectiveness, impact, and quality of organizational programs and services. This role oversees the development and implementation of evaluation frameworks, data collection systems, and performance measurement tools to ensure programs meet strategic goals and community needs. In addition, the Director champions innovation—researching, designing, and piloting new initiatives that align with the organization’s mission and position it as a leader in the field.
This role requires a visionary thinker with strong analytical skills, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to continuous quality improvement.
Specific Responsibilities
Program Evaluation & Impact
- Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive program evaluation strategy across all departments.
- Develop metrics, dashboards, and reporting systems to measure program effectiveness, participant outcomes, and organizational impact.
- Train and support staff in data collection, analysis, and utilization for program improvement.
- Prepare and present clear, actionable evaluation reports to leadership, staff, Board of Trustees, funders, and community partners.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and funder evaluation standards.
Innovation & Strategic Development
- Collaborate with program leaders to design and pilot innovative initiatives that address unmet needs and enhance program quality.
- Lead cross-functional teams in testing, refining, and scaling promising practices.
- Cultivate partnerships with academic institutions, peer organizations, and experts to strengthen innovation efforts.
- Support grant writing and resource development by providing program data, outcomes, and innovative concepts.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership in strategic planning and organizational growth.
- Foster a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Supervise and mentor staff and/or interns engaged in evaluation and innovation activities.
- Represent the organization at conferences, community forums, and stakeholder meetings.
Core Competencies
- Strategic and innovative thinking
- Analytical and data-driven decision-making
- Collaborative leadership
- Cultural humility and commitment to inclusion
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills
Qualifications
- Passion for the mission and values of Collier Youth Services.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in program evaluation, performance measurement, or applied research, preferably in a nonprofit or educational setting.
- Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, and reporting.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing innovative programs or practices.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives.
- Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional teams.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
- Master’s degree in program evaluation, public administration, social sciences, education, or related field (doctorate preferred).
- Some travel required for training, conferences, or program site visits.
- Full-time, onsite position with occasional evening/weekend meetings or events.
THE ORGANIZATION
Collier was founded in 1927 when the Collier family donated their 250-acre property in Wickatunk, New Jersey to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Initially, the property served as a home for five Good Shepherd Sisters and girls from Newark who they cared for. Today, Collier is a CARF-accredited, non-denominational, non-profit dedicated to providing at-risk youth a chance to grow toward their full potential in an environment that promotes belonging, dignity, and hope and is based on a philosophy of deep respect for the inherent worth of each individual and the belief in the capacity for personal change. Collier provides a safe nurturing environment for youth and young adults to participate in comprehensive educational, residential, and recreational programs. To address the significant trauma that many participants have experienced, Collier also provides therapeutic services that focus on the emotional, social, educational, developmental, behavioral and mental health needs of each individual and family. The programming and services offered seek to support participants on their journey toward reaching their full potential. On an annual basis, Collier supports 575 program participants at locations in Red Bank, Keyport, and Wickatunk. Programs include Collier School, Collier Community Transition Program, Collier Collaborative Partnership (providing therapeutic services to district schools), Collier Residential Program, and Kateri Day Camp.
Collier School is a State Approved Private School for Students with Disabilities (APSSD)
Collier specializes in supporting students dealing with school refusal, oppositional/defiant behavior, low motivation, demand avoidance, and a variety of developmental disorders and emotional and mental health challenges.
Collier School serves students, ages 9-21, whose behavioral and mental health challenges cannot be met in the public school system. Through quality education, specialized instruction, and therapeutic support, students experience themselves as caring, talented, and high-achieving individuals.
Collier Transition Program
The Collier Transition Program serves students who have completed all of their high school graduation requirements but would benefit from support in enhancing their professional skills, college and/or vocational preparedness, and life-skills to increase independence and employability.
The Collier Transition Program is a highly individualized program that works with students on meeting their specific needs. Students participate in a comprehensive career interest and values assessment to establish their targeted goals.
Students work with Collier High School’s Work Based Learning (WBL) Coordinator to place them in on- or off-campus jobs best suited to their career interests. They receive extensive coaching and job-skill development to help them achieve success after high school.
Collier Residential Programs
The Collier Residential Program comprised of two homes in Red Bank and Keyport are staffed twenty-four hours a day by professional counselors. The homes provide a safe and nurturing environment where the residents can heal and grow. Each young woman receives individual and group counseling, and is in school and/or working to develop the academic, social emotional and life skills needed to live as independent adults. Collier Residential Programs as well as Collier Youth Services as an agency are CARF Accredited.
The Collier Collaborative Partnership with Districts
This program assists local high schools in strengthening their therapeutic support programs for students. In recent years, many schools have identified an increased need for additional mental health resources for their students, particularly as a result of challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Through this partnership, the clinical staff of the Collier High School social services department travels to local schools to provide individual and group therapy to students, allowing them to receive an outpatient therapy experience in the comfort of their own school. In therapy, the clinicians can focus on identified challenges such as anxiety, depression, school avoidance, gender identity, grief, and more. Since sessions take place during the school day, it enables students to receive the help they need without interfering with extracurricular activities or issues with transportation.
Additionally, the clinicians are available to provide professional development to staff at the local schools in order to help further their knowledge of specific mental health issues and how to best support their student population.
Kateri Day Camp
In 2026, Kateri Day Camp will mark its 50th summer serving the children of Monmouth County. Since its inception, Kateri Day Camp has provided more than 10,000 camper experiences to low-income youth ages 5 to 15 at the 250-acre property in Wickatunk. For seven weeks of the summer, running from late June to early August, over 200 campers make new friends and develop new skills as they learn and grow.
For additional information about Collier Youth Services, please visit https://www.collieryouthservices.org.
