Research & Evaluation Data Manager

The American Camp Association® (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the more than 20,000 year-round and summer camps in the US that annually serve 26 million campers. ACA is committed to empowering camps to create quality experiences that build a world of belonging and growth.

We are looking for a remote, full-time Research & Evaluation Data Manager. Someone responsible for building and maintaining the data systems, processes, and analytical processes of the organization. Up to 15% travel required.

Under the supervision of the Director of Research and Evaluation, the Research and Evaluation Data Manager is the primary data lead for ACA’s internal and external research and evaluation work. The Data Manager is responsible for building and maintaining the data systems, processes, and analytical processes that enable the broader Research and Evaluation team to deliver high-quality insights, technical assistance, training, and resources to the camp industry. 

What would you do if hired?

• Serve as ACA’s primary data lead on internal and external research and evaluation projects, including collecting, cleaning, analyzing, coding, interpreting, and reporting data.
• Produce clear data insights and visualizations (dashboards, tables, graphs, charts, etc.) that communicate findings clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Build, maintain, and manage internal and external dashboards for ACA’s innovative grants projects and ACA industry-wide surveys using Power BI.
• Refine and oversee internal data management systems including developing and maintaining data codebooks, dictionaries, protocols, and standard operating procedures.
• Document best practices for data quality, privacy, security, and accessibility.
• Identify, track, and monitor relevant metrics to recognize and appropriately respond to association and programmatic strengths, weaknesses, & opportunities.
• Design data collection instruments.
• Engage in capacity building activities to advance evaluation readiness and skills for staff within the association.
• Produce data summaries, insights, and tools that drive association-wide learning, support grant-funded and industry-wide research projects and inform the field-facing resources.
• Stay informed on developments in data, evidence-based policy, artificial intelligence, and camp research to ensure alignment with emerging trends, and best practices.

What are we looking for in a candidate?

The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, has strong communication skills and is passionate about empowering various audiences with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to understand their programs.

• Bachelor’s degree in evaluation, psychology, education, data science, statistics, or other related fields plus 5 or more years of relevant experience required. Master’s degree plus 3 or more years of relevant experience preferred. 
• Two years or more with primary responsibility for data management, analysis, and data visualization.
  
• Experience designing and/or executing qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation projects.
• Strong analytical, organizational, statistical, and visualization skills.
• Knowledge of data management and analysis best practices.
• Expertise in survey design and survey administration platforms.
• Experience using quantitative and qualitative tools for data analysis and management.
• Experience and proficiency creating dashboards and reports for diverse audiences.
• The ability to translate and communicate research and evaluation findings for various audiences.
• Demonstrate data management skills and ability to meet deadlines in a collaborative environment with competing priorities.
• The ability to work independently and with various teams across the association.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for conferences and organizational events.
• Ability to approach complex data challenges with creative problem-solving.
• Willingness to learn new systems and tools.
• Preferred, Knowledge of positive youth development principles and practices.
• Desired, Spanish language proficiency.

What salary and benefits do we offer?

• Health, vision, and dental insurance for employee and dependents with limited employer contribution.
• Retirement plan with generous employer match.
• Time off-plans including sick, vacation, personal, and holidays.
• Non-voluntary benefits include life insurance and long-term disability.
• Voluntary benefits offered include additional life insurance, short-term disability, and other supplemental options
• Salary: $68-78k annually, commensurate with experience.
• Anticipated Start Date: May 2026

Application and Interview Process Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a target start date in May 2026. Below is an overview of our typical hiring process:

• Application
• Candidate questionnaire
• Hiring manager interview
• Panel interview
• Reference checks

Research suggests that many qualified candidates opt not to apply for a role if they don't meet every qualification listed. At ACA, we are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve, and we believe the right candidate may bring a background or path that looks different from what we have described. If you see yourself in this work, we hope you will apply even if your experience doesn't check every box.