Senior Learning and Evaluation Officer

About Meyer Memorial Trust

One of the largest private funders in Oregon, Meyer Memorial Trust works to accelerate racial, social and economic justice for the collective well-being of Oregon’s lands and peoples. Established in 1982 from the estate of grocery store founder Fred G. Meyer, the Trust has awarded grants and program-related investments in excess of $1 billion to more than 3,800 organizations. Meyer stewards an endowment of nearly $900 million and deploys an annual grantmaking budget of $45–50 million across a range of issue-based portfolios and strategic initiatives.

Meyer staff bring a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to their roles, but are united by the belief that transformative change is possible in Oregon. We strive to build a workplace where people can contribute fully, learn from one another and make a meaningful impact together.

Learn more about working at Meyer atmmt.org/careers.

Position Summary

Learning and evaluation at Meyer supports our mission by uplifting a research practice in service to justice, equity and transformational change. In partnership with the Director of Learning and Grants Management, the Senior Learning and Evaluation Officer supports the implementation and refinement of Meyer’s learning framework and justice-centered philanthropic approach. The position plays a pivotal role in understanding impact, analyzing grantmaking practices and outputs, and advancing an internal culture of learning.

The ideal candidate is an experienced researcher and evaluator with a strong background in both quantitative and qualitative methodology, as well as translating findings into actionable insights and recommendations. They understand and value social justice as an organizational operating principle and are able to embed these values in all aspects of the work. They ensure data is used to serve our communities and grantee partners and advocate for an evaluative approach that is relational, community-centered, and creates space for sharing, learning, and partnership. Familiarity with and use of culturally responsive and equitable evaluation practices is required, with previous experience in an applied research setting like a foundation or nonprofit highly desired.

Duties and Responsibilities

Learning, Evaluation, and Measuring Impact (50%)

• Support all aspects of learning and evaluation projects including research design, data collection, reporting and project management.
• Conduct research and evaluations on Meyer’s initiative and strategic focus areas using a variety of methods, including field scans, literature reviews, interviews, document review, survey design, quantitative analysis, focus groups and sensemaking sessions.
• Help develop, collect and synthesize key metrics to track progress against Meyer’s strategic goals.

Grantmaking Analysis (30%)

• Synthesize, analyze and present grantmaking data to lift up trends and themes. This includes taking the lead on pulling data from our internal system and creating data visualization from that information.
• Collaborate with grants management staff to proactively identify areas of learning related to our own grantmaking data.
• Support efforts to improve grantmaking processes and data collection efforts.

Cross-Team Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing, and Support (20%)

• Facilitate reflection sessions, sensemaking and other opportunities for foundation learning.
• Support Meyer staff to use relevant learning systems, tools and processes as they incorporate new methods of planning, assessment and continual improvement into their work.
• Proactively identify areas of learning through relationship building with staff and external partners.
• Facilitate grantee-focused learning communities and reflection sessions.
• Analyze findings, synthesize lessons learned and disseminate results in ways that are valuable to internal and external audiences.
• Produce progress reports and other learning tools to inform staff, Board and community about progress and learning.
• Partner with program staff to integrate learning practices that complement, shape, and support their goals and strategies.
• Identify and participate in opportunities to share Meyer’s research, evaluation findings and lessons learned with key audiences.
• Keep abreast of trends in the larger philanthropy and evaluation spaces.
• Foster collaboration between Learning, Grants Management and Communications teams to ensure alignment and effective knowledge sharing.

Experience and Competencies

• A Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public administration, public policy, or other relevant areas is preferred, but a strong combination of relevant experience and education will also be considered.
• 7+ years of experience in research and evaluation — strong background with qualitative and quantitative design, methods, analysis and data visualization, including presenting data to multiple audiences.
• Demonstrated experience applying culturally responsive and equitable evaluation frameworks, principles, approaches and tools.
• Brings a justice-oriented research perspective grounded in a deep understanding of the structural drivers of inequity in Oregon, particularly as they impact marginalized communities across intersecting identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, immigration status​ and geography.
• Significant experience using research software and data visualization tools such as Excel, Google Sheets, Tableau, Dedoose or Canva.
• Ability to select research and evaluation designs appropriate to a wide variety of projects, services and initiatives.
• Ability to distill complex insights into clear, compelling narratives for the Board, senior leadership and internal teams.
• Deep comfort working both independently and as part of a team.
• Effective and engaging facilitation and presentation skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills; adept at navigating differing perspectives.
• Accessible and flexible team player with the ability to collaborate effectively.
• Champion transparent, culturally responsive and equitable evaluation with staff and community partners externally.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Has a learning orientation — approaches work with curiosity, reflection and a sense of possibility.
• Experience at a foundation, governmental agency, nonprofit organization or other applied research setting is highly preferred.
• Experience working with a grants management system or similar software is a plus.
• Experience with community-informed, participatory research processes is a plus.
• Familiarity with evaluating complex systems change efforts and/or movement building is a plus.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Engage in communication in person as well as through electronic means.
• Use computer laptops, tablets, phones, photocopiers, monitors and screens.
• Occasionally move up to 10 pounds,
• Work in a business setting of open cubicles with 45-60 decibel noise level.
• Ability and willingness to engage in occasional overnight travel.

The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those for an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Meyer Memorial Trust is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Meyer ensures equal opportunity for all employees and applicants regardless of race; color; age; gender identity or expression; sexual orientation; religion; marital status; national origin or ancestry; citizenship; immigration status; physical, mental, or medical disability; veteran status; obligations related to service in the United States Armed Forces; or any other reason protected by law. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that individuals bring, particularly those from communities that have been historically underrepresented.

To Apply

Please submit a resume, essay questions, and cover letter to learning@mmt.org by March 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m, PST.

Essay Questions (limit answers to two pages total)

• Please share an example of how you center justice and equity in your research, evaluation and learning practice.
• Describe a recent research or evaluation project you participated in or led. What were the goals, methodology and results? What did you take away or learn from the experience?

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Portland, OR 97227