The Polis Center is looking for an experienced manager to lead a team of talented analysts in producing actionable data and research used by nonprofits, community-based organizations, government, and academics for community good.

The Polis Center is an applied research center at IUPUI in the IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Polis makes data actionable for improving community health, equity, and resilience. We build and use information technology and geographically precise data across a variety of domains and sectors to identify and address our community’s most pressing challenges. We are a convener and connector, collaborating with community and academic partners to translate data and research into action. We build capacity in nonprofits, community-based organizations, government, and researchers to use these resources effectively for community good.

The Polis Center places great value on a positive work/life balance.

The community analysis program manager will provide leadership in the development and implementation of community analysis projects of the center and operational management of assigned community analysis staff. They will provide leadership for SAVI and other community-focused research and analysis programs that apply knowledge of local community and spatial thinking to the analysis and visualization of societal issues related to economic opportunity, housing, health, transportation, and more.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Manages and participates in community analysis projects.
• Works with a multi-disciplinary, cross-functional team to plan and conduct analysis of social issues and their effects on populations.
• Applies best practices in spatial data analysis, statistical modeling, data visualization, UI/UX design, and digital communication.
• Manages team of analysts and coordinates with Polis GIS and information technology teams for project planning and implementation.
• Identifies and works with contractors, community partners, faculty, and domain experts to support community analysis work.
• Translates research and analysis findings for a lay audience and presents in various digital expressions, including but not limited to interactive data visualizations, online dashboards, Story Maps, PowerPoints, and reports. Leads or contributes to the design of content for events meant to disseminate analysis results to public audiences. Presents findings to diverse audiences.
• Provides community analysis team leadership and ensures smooth operations and staffing.
• Manages personnel. Ensures adequate staffing and effective scheduling for the community analysis team; participates and informs employment decisions for functional area; develops job descriptions for requested positions; analyzes, monitors, and evaluates performance of assigned staff; establishes work priorities, conducts performance reviews, and provides corrective action as needed; requests/provides training to assigned staff to improve user support operations; researches and identifies development opportunities for assigned staff.
• Meets with area directors to review project/program needs for data analysis and information design; formulates and implements operational plans for the center’s community data analysis and information design work to meet identified needs of the center’s business areas.
• Establishes short-term and long-term operational objectives, including managing community analysis product timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans in support of multiple, multiphase project initiatives.
• Identifies and implements solutions to improve analysis processes and/or operational efficiency; keeps directors informed of trends as well as significant problems.
• Collaborates with project manager and project coordinators as needed.
• Manages components of the SAVI (Social Assets and Vulnerabilities Indicators) program as needed by the Executive Director, manages components of SAVI to ensure on-time completion according to specifications and within budgeted costs, including but not limited to:
  • Engages with partners and target audiences to gather input, inform plans, provide status updates, etc.
  • Develops status reports for funders and partners.
  • Coordinates SAVI steering committee and/or other advisory committees as needed to inform community analysis needs.
  • Supports proposal development and relationship management.
  • Coordinates with data literacy training team to ensure capacity building efforts align with community-identified needs.
• Supports proposal development. Works with directors to develop scope of community analysis aspects of projects, makes budgetary recommendations based on community analysis resource needs, and supports proposal writing.
• Develops and maintains strong community and academic partnerships. Maintains positive relationships with center partners that interface with the community analysis team. Serves as the Polis point of contact for community projects to ensure project requirements are defined and met in a timely manner. Develops new relationships to support community analysis projects and potential new projects for the center.

General Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day operational management of support staff.
• Establishes short-term operational objectives.
• Identifies operational issues and/or areas of improvement and implements solutions to improve processes and/or operational efficiency.
• Analyzes, monitors, and evaluates performance of assigned staff; establishes work priorities, conducts performance reviews, and provides corrective action as needed.
• Ensures adequate staffing and effective scheduling; participates and informs employment decisions for assigned staff.
• Provides direct supervision and oversight of assigned staff and activities; impacts, and is held accountable for, the performance of team and/or assigned staff.
• Ensures and provides training to assigned staff to improve user support operations; researches and identifies development opportunities for assigned staff.
• Keeps next-level leader(s) informed of trends as well as significant problems.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years of program management or related experience

Preferred

• 5 years experience in related field

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrated time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills
• Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
• Instills commitment to organizational goals

Preferred

• Experience conducting community-focused research and analysis of social issues and their effects on populations; spatial analysis concepts and application, applying regression analysis and other statistical methods selected in collaboration with senior research analyst
• Ability to translate research and analysis findings and make data meaningful and accessible to various public audiences
• Ability to visualize and communicate analysis results to community and academic audiences
• Background or experience with data visualizations, graphic design, information design, UI/UX design
• Substantive knowledge, expertise and experience working and partnering with the non-profit and government sectors
• Demonstrated knowledge of Indianapolis metropolitan community and relationships; strong understanding of community development
• Experience with CSS, Java script, D3 or similar languages
• Proven ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment; able to adapt to changing priorities quickly and efficiently
• Possesses a high degree of initiative
• Ability to proactively identify and solve problems effectively through listening and influence building

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

This position is grant funded with expected annual renewals. Renewals are contingent on the availability of grant funds.

Upon approval, this position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule (mix between remote and in-person work), allowing arrangements of 2 days per week working remotely.

100% remote work is not an option for this position.

The salary range for this position is $75,000 – $85,000.

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Career Level: Operational

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: General Administration

Job Family: Program Management

Click here to learn more about Indiana University’s Job Framework.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be differences in the working conditions as advertised in our standard job postings (e.g., the ability to travel from one campus to another, etc.).  If you are invited for an interview, please discuss your questions or concerns regarding the working conditions at that time.

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

New employees will be provided with information regarding Indiana University’s COVID-19 vaccine policy, which includes the opportunity to request an exemption. To learn more, view our COVID-19 vaccine information page.

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.