Senior Project Specialist - Systems Innovation & Data - FT

Public Strategies Overview

Public Strategies (PS) is a nationally respected consulting, project management, and marketing firm based in Oklahoma City. We provide innovative solutions for federal, state, and local clients, including project and program management, training and technical assistance, technology, event management, research and evaluation, video production, and strategic communications. We also deliver research-informed direct services to financially vulnerable Oklahomans, with a focus on strengthening families and improving employment opportunities.

We are a collaborative team of thinkers, creatives, strategists, communicators, builders, researchers, and change agents committed to touching lives, driving change, and doing good well.

Position Summary

The Senior Project Specialist will possess a unique combination of skills as a subject matter expert and practitioner with an acumen to evaluate and drive success and growth within the division. Essentially the position has the ability to provide meaningful information and insights through high-quality, engaging reports so practitioners, program teams, partners and leaders can explore and collaborate to advance system innovation and growth.

Supporting a focus on research policy and consulting in self-sufficiency, asset-building, community development and workforce development, in collaboration with the Senior Manager, the Senior Project Specialist will lead cross-functionally in partnership with directors, peers, and support team members to ensure strong practices and performance in the delivery of the Work Ready model. Accountable for accurate collection (as needed), reporting and analyses of results, this person will develop a systematic approach to support data-based decision making for program improvement and communication of successes.

This position aids the Work Ready Oklahoma statewide system team in gauging progress against key performance measures (KPI's); researching key topics as they emerge and bringing innovative thinking and approaches to Work Ready Oklahoma. Serving as the division's representative for impact and implementation measurement, this individual is a key collaborator and subject matter expert, working with Senior Managers on program innovation, system design, research, strategy, planning and management.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide high-quality oversight and leadership to projects, including management of priorities, timelines, and objectives.
• Create and implement evaluation processes and systems for measuring effectiveness and impacts of strategies. Report findings concisely to key stakeholders to improve program and participant outcomes across projects and sites statewide.
• In collaboration with other divisions, establish and maintain a regular system of collection, analysis and reporting of results customized for diverse areas of interest including but not limited to research advisory groups, grantors, clients, corporate leadership and WRO practitioners.
• Drive effective use of data and insights to support strategy development, regional and future expansion investments, and outcomes tracking and analysis systems.
• Support division's efforts to establish and execute impact tracking (such as economic and individual impacts). Based on tracking results, lead impact modeling at the division level for baseline research programs and understanding of the innovative model and its various results.
• Develop effective systems and strategies to achieve client objectives, collaborating with teams in brainstorming, conceptualizing, and executing thoughtful processes and practices for training, technical assistance (TTA), or product development.
• Support business development and proposal development initiatives, contributing to the projects responsively -- often within short timeframes -- through the creation of proposals, data visualization and innovative program designs.
• Document processes, accomplishments, and process improvement steps related to service delivery implementation, TTA provision, and/or research activities for senior staff and clients.
• Develop and/or apply subject-matter expertise to projects; continually improve knowledge base around emerging policy, research and practice areas.
• Develop and contribute to a broad range of products, including written tools and resources, coordinating subject matter expertise from team members and partners.
• Other duties as assigned.