Head of Insights & Impact - Austin, TX

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (www.dell.org) builds pathways that change lives for families around the world. Through their philanthropy and charitable vehicles, Michael and Susan Dell have committed more than $10 billion to improve education, health, and economic stability, with a focus on delivering measurable, long-term impact. With offices in Austin, New Delhi, Cape Town, Nairobi, and Tel Aviv, the foundation supports programs that advance quality public education, promote children's health, and strengthen family economic stability. Together, these efforts reflect a belief that lasting change comes from investing in people — and in the potential of every child.

Current Opportunity – Head of Insights & Impact – Austin, TX

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has always believed that lasting change comes from investing in people—and that better outcomes are achieved when strong evidence is paired with a deep understanding of the children, families, and partners in the communities we serve. As the Foundation's portfolio grows more complex and the tools for turning data into insight evolve rapidly — from advanced analytics to AI — the opportunity to sharpen how we measure, learn, and act has never been greater.

We are seeking a Head of Insights & Impact, based in Austin, Texas, to lead and unify our enterprise Measurement & Evaluation, Analytics, Data Science, and Enterprise Data Platform functions—with Measurement & Evaluation as the anchor of the portfolio. This leader will report to the Head of Finance & Operations and will set the direction for the Insights & Impact function, lead a high-performing team, and ensure Programs has the rigorous evidence and infrastructure it needs to deliver measurable, long-term impact.

We are looking for someone who combines deep expertise in measurement and evaluation with the business instincts of a strategist, the follow-through of an operator, and the instincts of a human-centered leader. The ideal candidate understands that data is only valuable when it helps people make better decisions, take stronger action, and improve outcomes in the communities we serve. This person brings a customer-centric mindset, technical fluency, and leadership presence to navigate the intersection of evidence, technology, strategy, and human motivation into an operating model that works at enterprise scale.

About the Role

Measurement & Evaluation sits at the center of this role—the frameworks, evidence, and culture of learning that let Programs know what's working, for whom, and why. Analytics, Data Science, and the Enterprise Data Platform are full, substantial functions in their own right, each led with real depth—and each one sharpens and scales what Measurement & Evaluation can do.

The Head of Insights & Impact will own the Foundation's insights and impact function end-to-end—and be responsible for evolving it based on the Foundation's needs. This is fundamentally a partnership role: Programs drives the business and sets the strategic direction; Insights & Impact partners alongside by providing Measurement & Evaluation expertise and leadership to build the best possible evidence, data, and tools for that direction. That means this leader and their team will get out into the field alongside Programs and their partners — understanding the environments grantees and communities operate in, so that measurement and technology genuinely serve the people using them, not just the enterprise reporting on them. This leader will start from a clear question: what does Programs need to know, do, and track to make great decisions—and how do we build an organization capable of delivering it?

You will be expected to:Lead Enterprise Measurement & Evaluation

• Own the Foundation's enterprise Measurement & Evaluation function end-to-end: evaluation design, outcomes frameworks, theories of change, and learning agendas across all portfolios.

• Design and oversee rigorous, fit-for-purpose evaluations—from quasi-experimental designs to lighter-touch learning reviews—that answer the questions Programs need answered.

• Build feedback loops with beneficiaries, grantees, and field partners, and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations that support Programs' grantmaking and strategic decisions.

• Build the Foundation's culture of learning—testing, measuring, adapting, and sunsetting what isn't working.

Shape Enterprise Insights & Impact Strategy

• Define and execute the strategy for the Insights & Impact function, with Measurement & Evaluation as the throughline connecting analytics, AI, and enterprise data to Programs' priorities and the Foundation's goals.

• Partner with Program and executive leadership to ensure their strategic planning and investment decisions are strengthened by strong evidence and data.

• Spend meaningful time with Programs and their partners to understand real operating environments, beneficiaries' needs, incentives, and constraints—ensuring strategy and measurement reflect the realities of the people they're meant to serve.

• Serve as a trusted thought partner to Programs on partners' organizational performance, emerging trends, and opportunities to increase impact.

Advance Analytics, Data Science & AI

• Develop the Foundation's approach to data science, machine learning, and AI—with practical applications in predictive analytics, causal inference, natural language processing, and geospatial analysis—to deepen the Foundation's evidence base and sharpen decision-making.

• Design KPIs and dashboards that motivate the teams who use them, not just track outputs.

• Champion AI utilization to improve knowledge discovery, evidence synthesis, portfolio analysis, and enterprise reporting.

Lead Enterprise Data Platform Strategy

• Establish the long-term vision for enterprise data and governance, ensuring the platform is trusted, secure, scalable, and able to support the full range of Measurement & Evaluation, analytics, and reporting needs.

• Align investments in data engineering, architecture, governance, and AI with Foundation priorities.

• Partner with Technology to modernize the data environment and enable self-service analytics, enterprise reporting, and efficient AI utilization.

Lead and Develop the Team

• Lead an integrated team across Measurement & Evaluation, analytics, data science, AI innovation, enterprise data engineering, and governance—with Measurement & Evaluation as the anchor and every function held to the same standard of excellence.

• Develop and mentor high-performing, multidisciplinary staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, technical excellence, humility, and genuine care for one another and the communities we serve.

Who You AreDeep Experience in the Field: Measurement & Evaluation Expert. 12+ years of progressive leadership in Measurement & Evaluation, with experience spanning analytics, data science, and/or digital transformation that strengthens it. You have led multidisciplinary teams and know how to build enterprise strategies that put rigorous evaluation and learning at the center, supported by modern data platforms and AI.

Customer-Centric Partner: Understands people as much as data. You have designed KPIs and measurement systems that teams actually want to use—metrics that motivate action, not just compliance. You understand the intersection of human behavior and measurement, and you build your best work by getting close to Programs and the partners and communities they serve.

Strategic to Execution Thinker. You don't see insights work as starting with a dashboard and ending with a report. You think holistically about how evidence, data, human effort, and technology connect, and you have built organizations that put rigorous evaluation and advanced analytical methods to work on complex challenges.

Proven People Leader: Builds high-functioning, multidisciplinary teams. Demonstrated success leading teams across Measurement & Evaluation, analytics, data science, and enterprise data. You create environments where technical experts and evaluators do their best work together, and where accountability is paired with genuine development.

Analytical Problem Solver: Translates complexity into decisions. Comfortable synthesizing complex information into clear priorities and action plans. You are not satisfied by analysis for its own sake—you want to know that findings actually change what the Foundation does next, for the people it serves.

Technology Visionary: Fluent in data, AI, and emerging technology. Strong technical fluency in data architecture, governance, cloud-based analytics platforms, and AI-enabled technologies. You understand how these tools can strengthen philanthropy, and you are equally committed to making them work in practice.

Mission-Driven Leader: Genuine commitment to evidence-driven impact. You bring humility, curiosity, and resilience to your work, along with a deep commitment to using evidence to create pathways out of poverty for underserved communities. Experience in public sector, technology, social impact, or management consulting is highly valued.

Key Skills and Traits

• Deep knowledge of Measurement & Evaluation frameworks—theory of change, evaluation design, and learning systems—alongside analytics and enterprise data strategy.

• Exceptional leadership and people management, with a track record of developing strong, multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong outcomes orientation—builds systems for continuous learning and adaptive, evidence-informed decision-making that reflects what motivates the people using it.

• Outstanding executive communication and storytelling, able to distill complexity for senior leaders, Boards, and diverse audiences.

• Comfort with data architecture, governance, cloud-based analytics platforms, and AI-enabled technologies.

• Highest standards of integrity, stewardship, and accountability.