Description

ABOUT COMMON GROUND

Common Ground Kentucky and Common Ground Kentucky Action (aka Common Ground) are dedicated to supporting and coordinating statewide power building through leadership development, shared strategy development, issue-based campaigns, and civic and voter engagement. We are guided by values of justice and racial equity and work with our partners to build multi-racial people-power grounded in a shared vision for a Commonwealth where everyone thrives.

Common Ground is a team of at least eight staff who support and coordinate our 40 partner organizations in achieving our 10-year Path to Power of building a base of 158,000 Kentuckians committed to disrupting the status quo via a combination of coordinated programs, convenings, one-on-one support, and training.

POSITION

The Data Manager will play a key role in supporting accountable, measurable work towards the Common Ground long-term vision and strategy. The Manager is responsible for providing data-driven recommendations to inform collective planning, field strategy, storytelling, and other opportunities to strengthen data integrity across multiple programs and partners. This position works closely with fellow program staff, coalition partners, and data vendors to ensure the development of data infrastructure, skills, and strategy meet the needs of the coalition partners, programming strategy, and long-term goals. The Data Manager coordinates external data vendors, liaisons needs from partners to vendors, and is responsive to coalition partner data requests. The Manager will also play a key role on the staff team supporting internal digital security. 

Common Ground staff are expected to participate in operational work to ensure sustainability of the organization and rigorous adherence to the values-aligned strategy. This includes collaborating with staff for operations, ongoing evaluation, and working with various staff as needed to ensure internal and external policies support the needs of partners and long-term strategy values. 

The Data Manager reports to the Program Director. The preferred start for this position is January 19, 2027. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Support (40%)

• Bring a thoughtful perspective about the role of data in the long-term Common Ground strategic plan and work to develop relevant analysis that allow for a data-driven plan of action
• Be attuned to the skill development and resource investment needed in our coalition to improve organizing data infrastructure across Kentucky. Support the longevity of our coalitional data infrastructure with leadership development and resource development, including hosting trainings for partners, recording training videos, and/or directly skill-building with members of partner organizations
• Building on the data foundations in VAN, expand the data sources that support and strengthen the collective work of the table.
• Conduct timely and relevant analyses that inform coalition and partner field and strategic plans, including specialized requests about elections, Census, issue-based campaigns, and other data sets.
• Manage relationships with vendors, including in-state data consultants, national vendors, and national field partners.
• Develop appropriate coalition-wide quality-control processes to ensure data integrity 

Tools Management (30%)

• Become an in-house expert in understanding the best tools and systems available to the ecosystem, what their capabilities are, and build capacity of partners to utilize the tools to benefit collective strategy
• Track and respond to partner requests for technical assistance, support and access to core tools like VAN, Mobilize, etc.
• Seek out new tools and applications to enhance the work of Common Ground and coalition partner organizations.
• Manage the access, administration systems, monitoring, and the compliance for civic engagement tools, like VAN and other field tools, provided to the coalition by national partners
• Maintaining regulatory compliant data practices

Coordinating with Other Data Practitioners (15%)

• Function as part of a regional and national data peer network. This can include regular calls and trainings with State Voices and America Votes national data team to help maintain a shared data infrastructure across the states. This may also include participation in regional strategy development formations.
• Share timely communication to internal staff of relevant information and requirements from National Data teams.
• Work with national data teams to ensure state reporting is accurate
• Vet vendors and national organizations and inform decisions about collaborating with these entities
• Support a network of in-state, emerging political/organizing data practitioners as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned.

Organizational Health (15%)

• Contribute to group development of organizational practices that ensure internal alignment with organization goals of creating a sustainable and just workplace.
• Participate in annual budget and work plan development
• Support the ongoing assessment and evaluation of programming, staffing, and organizational impact
• Participate in team discussions on the strategic direction of the table
• Provide relevant and timely information to support fundraising activities of the Development Director and Co-Executive Directors
• Participate and support meetings, presentations, events that demonstrate data-driven impact of the Common Ground coalition
• Play key role on the internal digital security team
• Commitment to Common Ground strategies, objectives, and activities
• Train and support staff to ensure shared participation in data management responsibilities 

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum

• Demonstrated commitment to multiracial, working class strategy and long-term power-building
• At least one year serving in a data role or a history of administering multiple data projects or programs in an organizing or otherwise relevant space
• Strong project manager and planner who is adept at managing the details of projects while also progressing towards longer-term strategies.
• Relationship-oriented, with the ability to develop authentic relationships built on trust, shared goals, and accountability
• Able to work independently and in a team setting
• Experience with VAN and familiarity with other online civic engagement tools and CRMs
• Some experience with data management, database administration, reporting and analysis
• Experience training people on how to use data collective tools or systems
• Excellent communication skills around presenting data in lay-person terms and explaining the ‘why’ behind data and best practices
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive
• Interest in and willingness to contribute to internal digital security best practices
• Knowledge and interest in the governing landscape in Kentucky
• Valid state driver’s license, and a mode of transportation, and a willingness to travel to partners across Kentucky if necessary

Preferred

• Knowledge of software for mapping (ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.), reporting (Periscope, Tableau, etc.), and data management (Access, SQL, etc.)
• Aptitude for systems thinking and manipulating large data sets to draft cohesive field plans
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and visualization
• Successful examples of leading teams and managing accountable relationships with others
• Developed skills of teaching or facilitating technical training for adult learners
• Experience playing key roles in events management and managing program budgets

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary Range: $65,000 - $70,000 depending on experience and potential. This is a full-time, permanent position based in Kentucky, that requires a willingness to occasionally work outside of normal business hours. We practice a 32-hour work week. Working days are Monday through Friday, with each employee having some flexibility in setting their hours. Some evening and weekend work will be required in varying work cycles.

Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan with 6% employer match, term life insurance, thirteen paid holidays, and three weeks paid vacation and three weeks paid sick days annually.

LOCATION

Common Ground’s office is located near downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The Data Manager may work remotely anywhere in Kentucky, with some coworking days required throughout the year. Occasional travel to Louisville and across the state will be required. Occasional travel outside of the state may also be required on more rare occasions. Common Ground will prioritize hiring a Kentucky resident for this role. Kentuckians who have left the state but are hoping to return home are also encouraged to apply. Common Ground will provide a reasonable relocation stipend, if applicable. 

HOW TO APPLY

If interested, please email your cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references to hiring@commongroundkyaction.org. In your cover letter, tell us why you are interested in this position at this organization and what skills and experience you would bring to the role.

The deadline for consideration is November 30, 2026. The preferred start date for this position is January 19, 2027.

Common Ground Kentucky Action is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where contributions are valued and celebrated, and our employees thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do the best work of their lives.

Common Ground Kentucky Action believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications, without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or parental status, sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, citizenship, physical or mental disability, military service, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established under law. Common Ground Kentucky Action will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with applicable laws. 

Justice-impacted applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may come from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet all of the qualifications described.

Common Ground Kentucky Action is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please inform hiring@commongroundkyaction.org.