Program Evaluation Manager

Career Guide

A Program Evaluation Manager leads the planning and delivery of evaluations that measure whether programs are working, why they work, and how to improve them. This role turns data and stakeholder input into clear findings and practical recommendations for leaders, funders, and teams.

Key Responsibilities

Define evaluation goals, key questions, and success measures with stakeholders
Build evaluation plans, timelines, and budgets
Choose evaluation methods that fit the program and available resources
Oversee data collection using surveys, interviews, and existing program data
Manage data quality standards and documentation
Analyze results and interpret what they mean for program decisions
Create clear reports and presentations for different audiences
Translate findings into actionable improvement plans
Support teams with learning sessions and continuous improvement practices
Manage vendors, consultants, or research partners when needed
Ensure ethical practices, privacy protections, and informed consent
Track follow up actions and adoption of recommendations over time

Top Skills for Success

Stakeholder Management

Written Communication

Presentation Skills

Project Management

Critical Thinking

Program Design Understanding

Impact Measurement

Evaluation Planning

Survey Design

Interview Facilitation

Data Analysis

Data Visualization

Research Ethics

Data Privacy

Vendor Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Program Evaluation Manager

Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

Learning and Impact Manager

Research Manager

Policy Evaluation Manager

Transition Opportunities

Director of Evaluation

Director of Impact

Head of Learning and Evaluation

Program Director

Strategy and Insights Director

Operations Director

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Evaluation DesignExperimental MethodsQuasi Experimental MethodsMixed Methods ResearchData ManagementQualitative AnalysisCost Effectiveness AnalysisChange ManagementReporting for Executive AudiencesData Visualization

Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio of evaluation plans and reports, strengthen both qualitative and quantitative methods, and practice turning findings into decisions. Seek feedback from program leaders on clarity and usefulness of recommendations, and develop repeatable templates for plans, dashboards, and reporting.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 75,000 to 95,000

Mid LevelUSD 95,000 to 125,000

Senior LevelUSD 125,000 to 165,000

Growth Trend

Steady growth driven by increased focus on outcomes, accountability, and evidence-based funding across public sector, healthcare, education, and nonprofit organizations.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Nonprofit OrganizationsPublic Health AgenciesLocal Government DepartmentsState Government DepartmentsFederal Government AgenciesHospitals and Health SystemsUniversities and Research CentersPhilanthropic FoundationsInternational Development OrganizationsSocial Impact Consulting Firms

Industry Sectors

NonprofitGovernmentHealthcareEducationInternational DevelopmentPhilanthropyConsulting

Recommended Next Steps

Review job descriptions and map required skills to your current experience

Create one evaluation plan sample that includes questions, measures, and a data collection approach

Build a short results report example using a real or practice dataset

Strengthen one analysis tool used in your target sector and document your work in a portfolio

Practice presenting findings to a non technical audience and request feedback

Identify a mentor in evaluation or impact and schedule regular check ins

Join a professional community focused on evaluation and attend one event per month

Prepare interview stories that show how you improved a program using evidence