Project Manager and Evaluation Specialist

The Policy and Innovation Center (PIC) is seeking an experienced Project Manager and Evaluation Specialist to monitor and support implementation and continuous improvement of initiatives under the Behavioral Health (BH) Team / Community Health & Wellbeing Department. Two flagship initiatives include the ELEVATE Behavioral Health Workforce Fund and the Strategic Behavioral Health Initiative (SBHI). Working closely with senior leadership, this role will oversee program coordination, performance tracking, contract and grant compliance, and cross-partner collaboration to ensure initiatives are executed effectively and aligned with strategic goals. The position will also lead and support evaluation efforts by developing frameworks, monitoring key metrics, and translating data into actionable insights to inform decision-making. Key Responsibilities: Program Support, Coordination & Monitoring

• Collaborate with ELEVATE partners to support programmatic activities, ensuring accountability with contractual agreements, timelines, and quality standards.
• Monitor and track key program milestones, ensuring alignment with goals and timelines.
• Coordinate and support Strategic Behavioral Health Initiative (SBHI) special projects as needed.

Contract Administration, Tracking & Reporting

• Work with the ELEVATE operations team to ensure all programmatic deliverables and outcomes are met and documentation is provided to support reimbursement processes.
• Receive and track ELEVATE Upskilling subcontractor invoices and associated financial reports, including monthly, summary, and annual reports.
• Work closely with the Senior Director, BH Team, subcontractors, and external stakeholders to ensure grant implementation aligns with funder requirements and guidelines.
• Monitor ELEVATE contract goals and progress; track associated indicators and ensure deadlines are met.
• Coordinate regular check-in meetings with PIC program staff; foster a culture of collaboration and trust between internal departments and external partners.

Program Evaluation

• Advise on development of outcomes, metrics, and monitoring tools to track progress across all ELEVATE and SBHI programs.
• Coordinate and lead regular meetings with the ELEVATE/UCSD Evaluation Team, facilitating information sharing and partner insights.
• Guide the design, development, and ongoing refinement of evaluation frameworks in partnership with research and program teams.
• Serve as primary liaison between program staff and the research/evaluation team; ensure alignment and translate findings into actionable recommendations that inform senior leadership decision-making.
• Advance a comprehensive evaluation plan for ELEVATE in collaboration with the PIC Research team.

Qualifications & Requirements: Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required in public health, public policy, social sciences, health administration, business administration, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in program management, evaluation, or a related role; experience in behavioral health, workforce development, or policy settings strongly preferred.

Core Competencies

• Genuine passion for PIC's mission and demonstrated commitment to equity-focused, cross-sector work.
• Strong project management and organizational skills — ability to oversee multiple workstreams, manage timelines and deliverables, and maintain alignment across complex, multi-partner initiatives.
• Strategic evaluation and analytical skills, including the ability to design evaluation frameworks, interpret complex data, and translate findings into actionable program and policy recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize information clearly and meet varied reporting requirements.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills — comfortable communicating and coordinating across internal staff, subcontractors, government partners, and community organizations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience with database management and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, REDCap, or similar) preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Adaptable, self-directed, and effective in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Knowledge of the behavioral health or workforce development sector is a plus.
• Quality improvement mindset and a team-oriented, solutions-focused approach.
• Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking English required.

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