Position Title: Program Evaluation & Operations Coordinator

Location: South Suburban Cook County, Illinois (Hybrid; travel between program sites required)

Salary: $58,000 annually

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Executive Program Director

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Position Summary

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Light of Loving Kindness (LOLK) is seeking a highly organized, analytical, and mission-driven Program Evaluation & Operations Coordinator to oversee program evaluation, operational systems, quality assurance, and administrative processes across our youth and community-based programs.

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This position serves as the organization's lead for program performance measurement, operational coordination, grant reporting, payroll administration, employee onboarding and offboarding, quality improvement, and continuous program development. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable analyzing data, improving organizational systems, supporting staff, and ensuring compliance with grant and organizational requirements.

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This position plays a critical role in ensuring our programs are implemented with fidelity, our operations run efficiently, and our organization maintains the highest standards of accountability and impact.

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Essential Duties & Responsibilities

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Program Evaluation & Outcome Measurement

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• Develop and maintain systems to measure participant outcomes and program effectiveness.

• Coordinate pre-program, mid-program, post-program, and follow-up evaluations.

• Analyze participant data and identify trends, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), attendance, retention, graduation, referrals, and participant engagement.

• Conduct program fidelity assessments to ensure curricula are delivered as designed.

• Prepare recommendations to improve program quality and participant outcomes.

• Conduct long-term participant follow-up studies to evaluate sustained impact.

 

Data Management & Grant Reporting

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• Maintain participant databases and outcome tracking systems.

• Ensure data integrity, accuracy, confidentiality, and timely reporting.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual, and grant-required reports.

• Develop dashboards and visual reports for leadership and Board review.

• Write evaluation and outcomes sections for grant reports and funding applications.

• Support audit preparation by maintaining organized documentation and financial records.

 

Quality Assurance & Compliance

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• Conduct routine documentation audits and data quality reviews.

• Review intake forms, attendance logs, surveys, and participant files for completeness and accuracy.

• Monitor corrective action plans and quality improvement initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, organizational policies, and program standards.

• Assist with external monitoring visits, audits, and accreditation activities.

 

Operations & Administrative Coordination

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• Coordinate employee onboarding and offboarding processes.

• Maintain employee personnel files and onboarding documentation.

• Review payroll submissions in Gusto for accuracy, ensuring hours include appropriate work descriptions.

• Update employee schedules and payroll settings within Gusto.

• Maintain organizational shared drives and develop efficient filing systems.

• Manage organizational calendars and administrative workflows.

• Maintain donor, stakeholder, partner, and community contact databases.

• Process accounts payable and receivable and assist with expense tracking.

• Monitor grant expenditures and assist leadership with financial reporting.

 

Organizational Support

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• Meet weekly with the Executive Program Director.

• Participate in weekly staff meetings.

• Support the implementation of new programs and operational improvements.

• Assist in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Train staff on data collection procedures and documentation standards.

• Support community presentations, funder meetings, and stakeholder reports.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

 

Required Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Human Services, Data Analytics, Statistics, or an Associate's degree in the same fields with related field or minimum 5 years equivalent experience.

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in program evaluation, nonprofit operations, compliance, quality assurance, project coordination, or administration.

• Experience coordinating multiple projects with strong organizational skills.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and database management systems.

• Experience preparing reports for leadership, boards, or grant funders.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism.

 

Preferred Qualifications

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• Experience working with grant-funded nonprofit organizations.

• Experience in youth development, behavioral health, education, or community-based programming.

• Knowledge of program evaluation methodologies, logic models, and outcomes-based evaluation.

• Experience using survey platforms, dashboards, or data visualization software.

• Familiarity with payroll systems such as Gusto.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and equity-centered programming.

 

Core Competencies

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• Program Evaluation

• Operations Management

• Quality Assurance

• Grant Compliance

• Data Analysis

• Continuous Quality Improvement

• Payroll & Administrative Coordination

• Organizational Planning

• Project Management

• Attention to Detail

• Time Management

• Communication & Collaboration

• Critical Thinking

• Problem Solving

 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

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• Timely completion of required evaluations

• Data accuracy and integrity

• Grant reporting compliance

• Payroll accuracy and timeliness

• Employee onboarding completion

• Audit readiness and documentation quality

• Program fidelity compliance

• Dashboard and reporting completion

• Participant retention and completion rates

• Implementation of quality improvement initiatives

 

Work Environment

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• Hybrid work schedule available based on organizational needs.

• Primarily office-based with regular travel to program sites and community events.

• Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to support trainings, events, or reporting deadlines.

 

Benefits

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• Paid Time Off

• Paid Holidays

• Professional Development Opportunities

• Flexible Hybrid Work Schedule (where applicable)

• Supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven work environment