Senior Manager, Multistate Data Collaborative (Remote)

National Association of State Workforce Agencies

January 09, 2026

If you are passionate about bringing people and data together to democratize access and drive better public policies and practices, and you have the expertise and leadership skills to help guide our collaborative, NASWA invites you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Background on NASWA

The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing all fifty state workforce agencies, D.C. and U.S. territories. These agencies deliver training, employment, career, and business services, in addition to administering unemployment insurance (UI), veteran reemployment, and labor market information programs. NASWA provides policy expertise, shares promising state practices, and promotes state innovation and leadership in workforce development. Through its consulting arm, NASWA also provides education, research, analysis, information technology support, and a wide range of services focused on workforce development and unemployment insurance issues. These offerings are designed to help states, nonprofit partners, and other organizations improve their systems, programs, and outcomes.

In addition to its robust menu of services, NASWA operates several national initiatives including but not limited to the Multistate Data Collaborative (MSDC).

Background on Multistate Data Collaborative (MSDC)

The Multistate Data Collaborative (MSDC) is a dynamic and innovative enterprise dedicated to bringing government agency leaders, data stewards, and a dynamic ecosystem of stakeholders and partners together across sectors and geographies to harness the power of data for public good. What began as a grassroots coalition has grown into a nationally recognized, agency-driven network of data stewards and researchers committed to using public data for public benefit and democratizing the access and usability of data to guide decision making.

The MSDC creates collaborative environments and opportunities for agency leaders to safely and smartly use data to drive better public policies, leading to more effective and efficient services for all. The MSDC serves as a credible and trusted resource in the national evidence and data ecosystem— providing a supportive network to break down data silos, generate ideas, access technical assistance, and share practices and products. Through the MSDC, agencies receive the tools and connections needed to understand data opportunities comprehensively and make timely decisions that enhance program coordination, service delivery, and resource use.

Overview of Position

NASWA is seeking an experienced Senior Manager to lead the Multistate Data Collaborative (MSDC), including but not limited to managing operations and supporting strategic planning for the long-term sustainability and value of this nationally recognized network.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in state and/or federal policy analysis, particularly in human services, education, and/or workforce development, and a deep interest in leveraging administrative data to drive better public policies and practices. This role requires someone with experience navigating the complexities of data sharing and governance, such as legal agreements, compliance requirements, and technical considerations. This individual will understand and co-design creative strategies and services to address the drivers and challenges of evidence-building efforts in the U.S. as well as the opportunities and barriers of sharing and using administrative data to drive decision making.

The ideal candidate must also have excellent communication and relationship management skills, including experience engaging with government agencies, foundations, and private sector partners, to ensure ongoing operations and impact, financial support, and organizational growth of the MSDC. The selected candidate will excel at identifying and building connections and will lead a small team of staff and contractors— managing internal and external stakeholders in executive leadership and operational roles and facilitating a steering committee and associated events.

The Senior Manager will work with NASWA leadership to build upon this growing coalition and develop and execute a sustainability strategy, including securing and maintaining strategic funding partnerships. The selected candidate will develop organizational strategies that support an impactful and robust learning agenda, activities calendar, key partnerships, and organizational growth in collaboration with the Senior Director of Data Partnerships.

Roles and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

Lead a small, dedicated, highly skilled team of staff and contractors to achieve organizational goals and provide services.
Drive the development and implementation of strategic initiatives in collaboration with the Senior Director of Data Partnerships.
Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement among the team and throughout the organization.
Maintain regular working relationships with several key partner organizations to support the alignment and execution of goals and initiatives.
Manage the activities of a steering committee comprised of government agency leaders and several key partner organizations, ensuring alignment with NASWA’s organizational goals.
Manage effective communication strategies and stakeholder engagement responsibilities to strengthen the MSDC network, including but not limited to state agency representatives.

Program Development

Develop and/or manage the delivery of workshops, training programs, events, and initiatives that engage members and support their use of data in policymaking.
Incorporate sustainability and funding considerations into program planning and execution. • Help lead efforts to develop proposals and prepare grant applications; manage projects including budget. • Track and report on the impact of MSDC activities to demonstrate value and inform continuous improvement.

Partnerships and Relationship Building

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with federal and state leaders, key stakeholders, and partner organizations.
Support and advance efforts to secure funding and develop strategic partnerships with the Senior Director of Data Partnerships including but not limited to identifying and vetting mission-aligned opportunities, developing proposals, and preparing grant applications.
Represent the MSDC at conferences, meetings, and other events to enhance its profile, build strategic alliances, and engage the funding community.

Policy and Data Expertise

Provide expertise on state policy issues, particularly in workforce development, human services, and education.
Champion the use of linked data to make data actionable, promote evidence-based decisions and evidence-build efforts to support better policy outcomes, and advocate for the use of open-source methodologies to make actionable insights and tools more accessible.
Demonstrate understanding of how workforce data play into measuring and evaluating program and policy effectiveness and in particular impacts on economic mobility.

Collaboration and Alignment at NASWA

Work closely with other teams at NASWA including but not limited to NASWA policy committee teams (e.g., Employment and Training, Workforce Labor Market Information) and program areas (e.g., Research Hub, Workforce Support Center) to ensure strategic and operational goals are impactful and aligned.
Coordinate efforts across different NASWA teams (e.g., Learning/Library, Communications/Meetings) to effectively deliver MSDC offerings and messaging.
Communicate regularly with other senior leaders at NASWA to ensure the MSDC and associated initiatives are coordinated with the broader organizational vision and strategy.

Competency and Experience

Required

Demonstrated organizational and project management skills including attention to detail, the ability to multi-task, meet critical deadlines, and be flexible with changing priorities.
Experience managing a steering committee or similar governance body.
Experience supporting state or federal policy development or policy analysis.
Fluency in research and evaluation principles and practices.
Success in developing and delivering workshops and programs for a diverse membership base.
Strong relationship-building skills, with established connections to federal and state policymakers and stakeholders.
Demonstrated success in securing funding from philanthropic and government sources through grant writing and/or business development.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
Comfortable working in a virtual environment— working collaboratively and independently.

Preferred

Proven track record of leading small teams to achieve significant outcomes.
Demonstrated success in engaging with the funding community, securing strategic partnerships, and developing individual data projects.
Flexibility to take on new roles and responsibilities as the MSDC evolves.
Hands-on administrative data or state agency experience or experience in an association context.
Familiarity with data platforms, analytic tools, and programming languages (e.g., SQL, Python, R).

Education

Preferred

Master’s degree or higher in public policy, political science, sociology, applied economics, data analytics/science, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Job Details

Location: Remote position anywhere in the contiguous U.S. (Washington DC preferred, but not required). Please note, we are unable to provide employment visa sponsorship at this time.

Reports To: Senior Director, Data Partnerships

Position Type: Full-time for duration of investment (through March 2027); extension subject to additional investment

Salary Range: $115,000 - $140,000 commensurate with skills and experience.

Benefits: NASWA offers competitive benefits including an exceptional health care package, 401(k), educational assistance, phone/internet stipend, plentiful time off, and other great options.

Travel Requirements: Travel estimated to be 5-7 trips per year, with 2-5 days per trip.