Director of Impact and Learning
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Set an impact measurement strategy aligned to mission goals
- Define outcomes, indicators, and targets for programs and portfolios
- Design learning agendas to test assumptions and improve decisions
- Oversee evaluation plans and research partnerships
- Build data collection and quality processes that are ethical and practical
- Lead impact reporting for funders, boards, and executive teams
- Translate findings into clear recommendations for program improvement
- Train teams on monitoring, evaluation, and learning practices
- Manage budgets and vendor contracts for evaluation work
- Ensure participant protection, consent, and responsible data use
- Create feedback loops with communities and program staff
- Present impact insights to internal and external stakeholders
Top Skills for Success
Impact Strategy
Outcome Measurement
Monitoring Design
Evaluation Planning
Learning Facilitation
Data Governance
Data Quality Management
Research Methods
Survey Design
Qualitative Analysis
Quantitative Analysis
Data Visualization
Program Improvement
Change Management
Stakeholder Management
Executive Communication
Team Leadership
Vendor Management
Grant Reporting
Ethical Data Practice
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Vice President of Impact
Chief Impact Officer
Vice President of Strategy
Director of Program Quality
Head of Research and Evaluation
Transition Opportunities
Director of Strategy
Director of Programs
Director of Data and Insights
Director of Innovation
Director of Partnerships
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Causal InferenceExperimental DesignCost Effectiveness AnalysisData System ImplementationDashboard OwnershipAI GovernanceData Privacy ComplianceCommunity Led MeasurementFacilitation of Difficult Findings
Development SuggestionsBuild depth in one advanced evaluation area, strengthen practical data system skills, and practice translating sensitive findings into clear actions. Partner with program leaders to run small improvement cycles that show measurable change within one quarter.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelNot typical for this title. Comparable manager roles often range from USD 85,000 to USD 120,000
Mid LevelUSD 120,000 to USD 170,000
Senior LevelUSD 170,000 to USD 240,000
Growth Trend
Steady growth. Demand is strongest in organizations with outcome based funding, government grants, and multi site program delivery.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
UNICEFSave the ChildrenInternational Rescue CommitteeCAREWorld VisionPlan InternationalTeach For AllKIPP FoundationFHI 360PATHClinton Health Access InitiativeThe Global FundBill and Melinda Gates FoundationChan Zuckerberg InitiativeGiveDirectly
Industry Sectors
International DevelopmentHumanitarian AidPublic HealthEducation NonprofitsWorkforce DevelopmentPhilanthropySocial EnterprisesGovernment ContractorsResearch Organizations
Recommended Next Steps
1
Audit current impact metrics for relevance, clarity, and decision value2
Create a one page impact measurement framework for one priority program3
Standardize indicator definitions and data collection guides4
Implement a monthly learning review with program leads5
Develop an annual evaluation roadmap with budget and timelines6
Build a simple reporting pack for executives and funders7
Run a data quality check and document fixes8
Identify one external research partner for a high priority evaluation9
Draft an ethical data policy covering consent, storage, and access10
Collect two short case studies that connect data to real outcomes