Director of Impact

Status: Full Time, Exempt
Reports to: Executive & Artistic Director
Start Date: November 17, 2025
Submit materials: through our online portal linked here.
Submit all inquiries to: Alex Francis, ForestTheater.Manager@forestforward.org

Forest Forward is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization partnering with community stakeholders to drive equitable development, economic mobility, and improved outcomes for children, residents, and families of the South Dallas community. The Forest Theater serves as the anchor institution, with an anticipated grand opening scheduled Fall 2026.

Our inaugural Director of Impact champions our education programming, life long learning and our commitment to deliver beneficial community impact and measurable change. This strategic leader reports directly to the Executive & Artistic Director and will design and implement our pipeline pilot programs for artists and Studio F, our creative hub and laboratory made for the creative 0-99 years old. Alongside program implementation, this role builds out culturally relevant evaluation frameworks, harnessing both quantitative and qualitative data to illuminate our cultural, social, economic, and community wellness impact. You will use insights to architect compelling programs, personalize our narratives, foster a culture of data-supported decision-making, and ensure our programs authentically reflect and uplift the lived experiences of our visitors and the South Dallas community.

What You’ll Drive

• Program Design & Implementation
  • Pilot Program Architect: Lead the design and implementation of our pivotal education and pipeline pilot programs for artists, setting the foundation for future scalable initiatives.
  • Arts Workforce Hub Leadership: Drive the strategic development and programming for the on campus studio space, ensuring it serves as a catalytic, accessible creative hub, skills and portfolio building laboratory for all ages, from 0 to 99.
  • Impact-Driven Program Development: Collaborate closely with artistic and special events team members to integrate impact goals and evaluation practices seamlessly into new and existing program design and delivery.
• Impact Measurement & Evaluation
  • Evaluation Framework Builder: Design and implement robust, culturally relevant institutional evaluation frameworks to track and articulate our cultural, social, economic, and community wellness impact across all engagements in the Forest.
  • Data Collection & Analysis: Spearhead the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data across all programs, performances, events, and initiatives.
  • Community-Centered Insights: Ensure that all impact data accurately reflects and authentically honors the lived experiences and diverse voices of our audiences, program participants, visitors, and stakeholders.
• Strategic Storytelling & Learning
  • Narrative Architect: Use data insights to personalize our organizational narratives, crafting compelling stories that illustrate the profound impact of Forest Theater and Forest Forward’s work.
  • Data-Supported Decision-Making: Foster a pervasive culture of data-supported decision-making across the organization, enabling teams to continuously refine and optimize their efforts.
  • Performance Reporting: Lead the development of clear performance dashboards, comprehensive learning agendas, and engaging narrative impact reports for our residents, staff, board, funders and the public.
  • Capacity Building: Facilitate all-team trainings and workshops focused on our ‘why’, evaluation methodologies, outcomes, and the art of data storytelling.
  • Cross-Functional Integration: Work strategically with development and communications teams to integrate impact findings into grant proposals, compelling case statements, and long-range strategic planning.

What You Will Build (Pre-Opening)

As our inaugural Director of Impact, you will be critical in conceptualizing and building the foundational systems for measuring and articulating Forest Theater and Forest Forward’s transformative effects. Key pre-opening deliverables include:

• Initial Program Logic Models & Theories of Change: Conceptualize and design foundational logic models and theories of change for all core programs, especially pipeline, workforce, and arts force hub initiatives.
• Culturally Relevant Evaluation Framework: Build and implement the comprehensive, culturally relevant evaluation framework and methodology to be utilized across all programs and engagements.
• Data Collection Systems & Tools: Design and implement the initial data collection systems, tools (e.g., surveys, interview protocols, observation rubrics), and processes to capture quantitative and qualitative impact data for program participants and visitors.
• Community Feedback Loop Mechanisms: Establish initial mechanisms for authentic community feedback, including focus groups, listening sessions, and advisory input channels.
• Pre-Opening Impact Narrative & Case Studies: Conceptualize and draft initial impact narratives and case studies based on anticipated outcomes, ready for communication and fundraising efforts upon launch.

Direct Impact

This role is absolutely central to our authenticity, accountability, and ability to demonstrate transformative change. You will directly impact:

• The strategic direction and effectiveness of our new programs, especially our pipeline initiatives with MLK Arts Academy and workforce development through the arts force hub.
• Our capacity to authentically measure and communicate our profound cultural, social, economic, and community wellness contributions.
• The continuous learning and data-informed decision-making across all Forest Theater and Forest Forward initiatives.
• Our ability to secure vital resources by clearly articulating our impact to funders and partners.

Tools We Use

Our team relies on a modern tech stack to stay connected and productive, including Dropbox, Slack, Monday.com, Google Suite, RAMP, and Zoom.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in education, program design, evaluation, social impact, research, or nonprofit strategy, with a track record of building and implementing evaluation systems;
• Expertise in building logic models, impact frameworks, and comprehensive KPI tracking systems;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data skills, including advanced survey design, data analysis, and community engagement tools;
• Proven ability to translate complex data into accessible, actionable insights and compelling storytelling for diverse audiences;
• A deep understanding and commitment to racial equity, cultural access, and community-centered engagement and evaluation practices;
• A growing passion for equity, impactful storytelling, and our institutional mission to revitalize communities through arts, culture, education and economic opportunity.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position with a fixed compensation of $100,000 annually, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package.

Employees who work an average of thirty (30) hours or more on a weekly basis may participate in medical, dental, vision, and other insurance programs. Under these plans, participating employees will receive comprehensive health and other insurance coverage for themselves and their families, as well as other benefits. Forest Forward presently pays a portion of the insurance premium for all eligible employees. Our Employee Benefits Package include the following:

Medical, Dental, Vision and other Voluntary options

Medical Coverage is provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Employees are eligible to enroll in the plan within 30 days of their hire date, and the coverage is effective on the first of the following month.

Retirement Plan

Forest Forward offers a 401(k) retirement plan administered by Lincoln Financial Services. Employees are eligible to participate in the plan 90 days after their hire date.

Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Days

All full-time employees are eligible to receive 80 hours of vacation time annually, 40 hours of sick time and three (3) paid personal/ or mental health days per calendar year.

Additional Information

This position will require occasional evening and weekend work, in conjunction with major performances and other special events.

Applications and Inquiries

Submissions will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis, through our online portal linked here. Please submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments. If you are in need of an alternative form of submission, email: ForestTheater.Manager@forestforward.org

Forest Forward provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.