Evaluation & Impact Manager in San Jose, California at Mexican Heritage Plaza

POSITION OVERVIEW & DESCRIPTION

• The Mexican Heritage Plaza (La Plaza) is seeking a motivated individual to join the Fund Development Team as the Evaluation & Impact Manager. This role plays a key part in advancing La Plaza’s strategic plan by strengthening the organization’s ability to measure, communicate, and leverage program impact.

The Evaluation & Impact Manager will lead the design and implementation of evaluation systems across programs, ensuring data is collected, analyzed, and translated into meaningful insights. This role works closely with the Director of Development, who provides strategic direction, to support grant and report writing, strengthen impact storytelling, and align evaluation efforts with fundraising and organizational strategy. The ideal candidate is both analytical and collaborative, able to translate data into actionable insights that support decision-making, program improvement, and long-term sustainability.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
La Plaza envisions a world where creativity inspires compassion and vibrant communities. The organization’s mission is to champion community heritage, strength, and resiliency through the activation of arts and culture as a pathway for community preservation and celebration. The organization is guided by the following values:

• LEADERSHIP: We believe that a shared leadership model is rooted in and informed by the individual as well as the collective, and we value the leadership held by all members of our team and community.
• VOICE: MHP will use its platform, institutional power, and influence to ensure that the hopes, needs, and concerns of the community we serve are seen and recognized.
• CREATIVITY: We believe in the transformative power of the arts. Creativity is the foundation of our humanity.
• HERITAGE: Heritage encompasses cultural traditions and foundations that groups share. We connect to our collective past experiences as they inform and help to define current contexts and future hopes. We celebrate our heritage even as we create new experiences.
• INCLUSION: Inclusion is a state of belonging. MHP believes that equitable access to resources ensures a thriving community. Therefore, the Mexican Heritage Plaza is open and welcoming to everyone.
• PLACE: The concept of place is broader than a single facility. As an anchor organization for East San Jose, the MHP activates the vibrancy and celebration of our local community. We take pride in the richness and potential of our Eastside neighborhoods.
• SERVICE: MHP considers itself a servant of the community. We recognize that in order to inspire leadership, we must approach every interaction from a place of humility and respect.

With a dynamic staff, MHP delivers unique classes, activates the Mexican Heritage Plaza (La Plaza) through community events, and offers cultural programs that embrace all, while rooted in Mexican Arts. By activating La Plaza, MHP serves local residents, artists, and business owners, engaging over 100,000 people annually in community events and arts experiences.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and responsibilities represent the essential functions of this position. The duties listed are not intended to be exhaustive and may be modified based on organizational needs.

Evaluation & Impact Management

• Refine and implement evaluation frameworks across La Plaza programs, building on existing logic models
• Strengthen and standardize tools and processes for data collection, including surveys and tracking systems
• Ensure consistency and quality of data collection across departments
• Analyze program outcomes and synthesize findings into clear, actionable insights
• Apply both quantitative and qualitative methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, participant stories) to capture a fuller picture of program impact

Grant Reporting & Fund Development Support

• Collaborate with the Director of Development and grant consultants to support grant writing and reporting
• Prepare data and supporting materials for funder reports and proposals
• Align evaluation outputs with funder requirements and organizational priorities
• Contribute to impact narratives used in fundraising and communications

Data Systems & Management

• Strengthen and improve existing systems for evaluation data collection and tracking
• Collaborate with staff and consultants to plan for evaluation-related data structures within Salesforce
• Ensure data integrity, organization, and accessibility across systems

Internal Learning & Cross-Team Collaboration

• Support program staff in understanding and using evaluation tools and data
• Facilitate internal learning conversations around program outcomes and impact
• Contribute evaluation insights to organizational strategy and planning

Data Confidentiality and Compliance

• Maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of organizational and participant data in accordance with applicable privacy requirements and organizational policies.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Coordination

• Lead projects and guide staff on evaluation and data collection activities.
• Coordinate tasks, timelines, and deadlines across teams.
• Train and support staff on evaluation tools and reporting processes.
• Encourage teamwork, communication, and accountability.
• Help solve challenges and improve processes.

Perform other related duties as assigned that are consistent with the position's responsibilities and organizational needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3–5 years of experience in program evaluation, data analysis, or impact measurement (nonprofit experience preferred)
• Experience supporting grant reporting and working with funder requirements
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear, compelling narratives
• Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets, including pivot tables and dashboard building
• Experience working with data systems (Salesforce or similar CRM preferred)
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to collaborate across teams and communicate effectively with both program and development staff
• Experience leading projects, coordinating across teams, and guiding staff without direct supervisory responsibilities.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in arts, culture, education, or community-based organizations
• Familiarity with evaluation frameworks and tools (logic models, surveys, dashboards)
• Experience supporting fundraising or development teams
• Interest in growing into grant writing over time
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position operates primarily in a professional office environment, with opportunities for approved remote work in accordance with organizational policies.

The employee may be required to:

• Work onsite at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, California.
• Attend occasional off-site meetings, community events, and organizational activities.
• Work occasional evenings or weekends to support organizational events or program activities.
• Interact regularly with employees, community members, external partners, and stakeholders.
• Work in environments with varying noise levels during community events and public gatherings.

Work schedules and locations may be adjusted based on organizational needs, consistent with applicable laws and organizational policies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The following physical requirements are associated with the essential duties of this position and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
  
  
• Sitting: Prolonged periods of sitting while working at a computer, attending meetings, or performing administrative duties.
• Standing and Walking: Occasional standing and walking during meetings, organizational events, and community engagement activities.
• Computer Use: Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment.
• Reaching and Handling: Occasional reaching, handling, and moving office materials and supplies.
• Lifting and Carrying: Occasional lifting and carrying of materials weighing up to 15 pounds, if required for the position.
• Communication: Ability to exchange information effectively through verbal, written, and electronic communication.

MHP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable federal and California laws.