Evaluation Manager

Newcastle University is seeking an outstanding Evaluation Manager to lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of evaluation and impact activity across two Regional Collaborative Partnerships: the North East Uni Connect Programme (NEUCP) and Access Universities for North East England (Access UNEE). Together, these partnerships bring universities, colleges, schools and strategic stakeholders together to improve educational outcomes, reduce inequalities and support progression to higher education across the North East.

As the partnership's lead specialist for evaluation, insight and impact assessment, you will be responsible for ensuring robust evidence is generated, analysed and effectively used to demonstrate programme outcomes, inform strategic decision-making and drive continuous improvement.

What You'll Be Doing:

- Lead the development, implementation and continuous review of the evaluation strategy across Regional Collaborative Partnerships programmes, ensuring alignment with Office for Students requirements, funding conditions and programme objectives
- Design and oversee robust evaluation frameworks, methodologies and outcome measures that enable effective assessment of programme impact, effectiveness and value
- Provide expert advice and guidance to senior leaders, programme managers and partners on evaluation approaches, impact measurement and evidence-informed decision making
- Lead the planning, management and quality assurance of evaluation activity across multiple programmes, projects and partner organisations, ensuring appropriate ethical, methodological and governance standards are maintained
- Oversee the collection, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative evidence to assess programme performance, outcomes and impact
- Translate evaluation findings into actionable recommendations that inform programme design, strategic planning and continuous improvement, including the identification and dissemination of effective practice and "what works" evidence
- Lead the analysis and interpretation of programme, participant and partnership data, ensuring evidence is used effectively to support strategic and operational decision making
- Work collaboratively with the Project Manager (Operations) to ensure monitoring systems, reporting processes and data collection approaches support evaluation requirements and maintain high standards of data quality, governance and compliance
- Identify trends, emerging issues, risks and opportunities through the analysis of data, research and performance information
- Lead the production of high-quality evaluation reports, impact assessments, dashboards and evidence submissions for governance groups, management groups, funders and other stakeholders
- Act as the partnership's lead specialist on evaluation and impact, building effective relationships with partner institutions, sector bodies and external stakeholders, and influencing the adoption of evidence-informed approaches to programme delivery
- Act as a key point of contact for evaluation and impact across the partnership, representing Regional Collaborative Partnerships at regional and national meetings, networks and sector forums, and leading the coordination and delivery of the North East Regional Evaluation Forum to promote shared learning, collaboration and evidence-informed practice
- Monitor and interpret relevant research, policy developments, sector evidence and national datasets, translating findings into strategic recommendations and identifying risks and opportunities relating to programme impact, future funding requirements and continuous improvement

The Person:

- Significant experience of designing, implementing and managing evaluation activity within complex programmes, partnerships or multi-stakeholder environments
- Experience of developing evaluation frameworks, methodologies and approaches to assess programme outcomes, impact and effectiveness
- Experience of analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and translating findings into strategic recommendations and actionable improvements
- Strong experience of data analysis, reporting and visualisation tools (e.g. Excel, Power BI and other analytical software)
- Experience of producing high-quality reports, impact assessments, dashboards (using software such as PowerBI) and evidence submissions for senior leaders, governance groups, funders or external stakeholders
- Experience of working with large and complex datasets and data management systems (e.g. Higher Education Access Tracker or similar)
- Knowledge of data governance, quality assurance, GDPR and ethical considerations relating to evaluation and research activity
- Understanding of evaluation methodologies and evidence-based practice, ideally within the education, widening participation or public sector environment
- Experience of building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and influencing the use of evidence to support decision making and programme development
- Knowledge of current policy, research and emerging practice relating to widening participation, student success or related sectors
- Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required for this post
- Full UK driving licence (vehicle will be provided as necessary)

Benefits:

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Contract Type: Full Time, Fixed Term to 31st October 2027 in the initial instance.