Description

ABOUT THE RICHARD L. DUCHOSSOIS FOUNDATION

The Richard L. Duchossois Foundation (RLD) was founded in 2022 and launched formal operations in 2024.  The Foundation is committed to addressing seemingly intractable social problems with imagination and passion. We strive to improve the lives of families and veterans, and to cultivate entrepreneurs through data driven and collaborative approaches to funding.  We seek to practice philanthropy with rigor and from a place of listening and strive to be a learning organization – to always seek greater understanding of our funding priorities. While our home and our priority is the Chicago region, we may consider national efforts that are aligned with our mission, values and goals.

ABOUT THE DATA STRATEGY & INSIGHTS TEAM

RLD Foundation’s Data Strategy & Insights team provides a backbone for the foundation's commitment to evidence-informed grantmaking and sector-wide learning. We strive to transform data from a compliance exercise into a catalyst for change, building a continuous cycle of inquiry, insight, and action within RLD Foundation, across our grantee partners, and throughout Chicago's social sector ecosystem.

RLD Foundation is building a team of data scientists and researchers to advance six interconnected areas of work: generating data-driven insights to inform grantmaking strategy; embedding iterative strategic learning processes into grant portfolio management; developing monitoring and evaluation systems that measure what matters; building grantee data capacity to help partners unlock the value of their own information; and strengthening ecosystem-wide data infrastructure where possible; and designing and building robust internal and public-facing data systems and tools. Throughout our work, the team champions data principles that are purposeful, community-grounded, and capable of driving lasting, systemic change.

JOB SUMMARY

RLD Foundation seeks a mission-driven data scientist to join our Data Strategy & Insights team. In this position, you will play a central role in advancing RLD Foundation’s data strategy in a highly collaborative, learning-oriented environment. Reporting to the Director of Data Strategy & Insights, the Data Scientist position sits at the intersection of advanced analytics, data engineering, and applied research, offering the opportunity to do technically rigorous, high-impact work in direct support of organizations driving social change.

The Data Scientist will perform advanced analytics to sharpen Foundation strategy, design and implement robust data infrastructure and tools to support grantmaking operations, and support the data capabilities of RLD Foundation grantees and the broader ecosystems within which we work. Working closely with Program staff and research colleagues, the Data Scientist brings technical depth to the team's research and learning agenda, translating strategic questions into analytical approaches, building the infrastructure that enables insight, and ensuring findings can be accessed and acted upon across RLD Foundation's ecosystem.

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded data scientist with strong capabilities across the data technology stack who is equally comfortable writing production ETL pipelines and building predictive models as they are translating findings into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical audiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES

Data Analytics & Strategic Insights

Collaborate with the Data Team and Program Directors to develop an institutional data practice where we ask powerful questions, collect relevant data, generate insights, and take action:

• Conduct analyses to inform RLD Foundation's grantmaking strategy, help answer research questions, and address organizational learning priorities, including ecosystem mapping, trend analysis, and testing theories of change
• Apply machine learning, natural language processing, geospatial analysis, and other advanced modeling techniques to extract insight from structured and unstructured data
• Creatively source and curate relevant datasets from public, private, academic, and alternative sources relevant to RLD Foundation’s work and to fill sector data gaps
• Produce data briefs and white papers that share findings transparently with grantees and the broader sector
• Conduct exploratory data analysis across RLD Foundation’s internal and partner datasets to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities
• Design clear, compelling data visualizations and narratives to communicate complex findings to program staff, foundation leadership, board, and external stakeholders
• Translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences with varying levels of data familiarity, ensuring insights are accessible and actionable

Data Infrastructure, Systems, and Tools

Lead the development and maintenance of modern and scalable data infrastructure to undergird RLD Foundation's data strategy:

• Architect and maintain RLD Foundation’s cloud-based data infrastructure, ensuring performance, scalability, and security
• Develop and automate ETL/ELT pipelines to integrate data from internal systems (grants management, CRM, program data) and external sources (public APIs, data partners, research institutions, government)
• Support the development of analytical tools and web-based platforms that enable staff, board, and ecosystem partners to access real-time insights
• Support RLD Foundation staff to use relevant data systems, tools and processes
• Implement rigorous data quality, validation, and governance protocols
• Leverage AI and automation tools to streamline data ingestion, cleaning, and analysis
• Develop data dictionaries, and document all code and data processing workflows

Data Strategy

• Partner with the Director of Data Strategy & Insights, Program Directors, Grants Manager, and Research Analysts to develop data collection plans supporting strategic learning, monitoring, and evaluation
• Contribute to the design and tracking of indicators and metrics that can help RLD Foundation better understand baselines, progress and trends in its focus issue areas
• Collaborate across the organization to ensure all data collection systems and tools are thoughtfully designed to capture information that aligns with organizational needs and learning questions
• Contribute to a culture of iterative learning around data use

Grantee & Field Capacity Building

Contribute to leading RLD Foundation's grantee-centered approach to data capacity building, helping nonprofits use data to strengthen their own work, not just report to funders:

• Work with grantees to understand their data aspirations, current pain points, and where RLD Foundation support could help them take the next step in their data maturity, applying participatory approaches that center grantee voice and needs
• Provide hands-on technical assistance to grantees, when applicable
• Identify and manage data capacity building partners that can augment and complement RLD Foundation’s direct technical assistance
• Create public-facing data tools, open data portals, and resources for grantees and the broader field
• Contribute analysis and expertise to collaborative initiatives that enable grantees, peer funders, and others to learn together from data, facilitating shared meaning-making and collective reflection
• Advise on potential grantmaking efforts to fill sector data gaps

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience in data science, analytics, data journalism, or related role
• Mission alignment: Demonstrated commitment to social impact and the values of the Foundation
• Programming expertise: Advanced proficiency in Python and/or R for data analysis, modeling, and automation
• Data Analytics and Modeling: Strong foundation in statistical methods, predictive modeling, and machine learning
• Data infrastructure: Experience with cloud databases (e.g., AzureSQL, BigQuery, Snowflake), data warehouse architecture, ETL/ELT pipelines, and connecting to APIs
• Spatial analysis: Experience with GIS tools and spatial data analysis (e.g., QGIS, or spatial Python/R libraries)
• Data visualization: Ability to create clear, compelling visualizations and communicate insights to non-technical audiences
• Communication: Ability to explain complex concepts clearly and patiently, adapting to match individual learning needs
• Technical versatility: Comfortable learning new tools, technologies, and working across the data stack
• Version control: Proficiency with Git/GitHub for collaboration and code management

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of experience or an advanced degree in data science, analytics, data journalism, or related role
• Experience in civic technology, nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, or government
• Experience and/or knowledge related to RLD Foundation’s focus areas including families, veterans and entrepreneurs
• Experience providing technical assistance or data capacity building to nonprofit partners
• Experience building data ecosystems or collaborative data infrastructure across multiple organizations
• Web development skills: JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and modern frameworks
• Experience building web-based data products or interactive applications (dashboards, data explorers, mapping tools)
• Experience with AI/ML for text analysis (NLP, LLMs, text classification, topic modeling)
• API development or integration experience
• Knowledge of data governance, privacy, and ethics frameworks
• Experience developing open-source data portals (CKAN, etc.)

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people who hold diverse perspectives
• Personal and professional commitment to developing the team members
• Highly developed emotional intelligence and demonstrated ability to use interpersonal skills and political acumen in respectful and collaborative ways
• Flexibility, commitment to teamwork, curiosity, and a sense of humor
• Capacity to work amicably in a small office with high volume of work, as well as a deep sense of responsibility and accountability
• Ability to make decisions, justify recommendations and be responsible and clear with stakeholders
• A record of recognizing and acting on opportunities to continuously improve
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Ability to work autonomously.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, salaried position and the salary range for this position is $115,000 to $145,000, commensurate with experience.  RLD Foundation offers a competitive benets package, including:

• 401(k) plan with up to 4% employer match
• Medical, vision and dental insurance (80/20 split)
• Life insurance (no cost)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance (no cost)
• Competitive PTO policies
• Pre-tax Commuter Expense Reimbursement Plan

LOCATION

The RLD Foundation office is located in Chicago’s Loop. Occasional travel outside of Chicago may be expected and may include participation in professional conferences.

Please note RLD Foundation maintains a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to work in the ofce three days a week with occasional additional days as necessary.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

RLD Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to recruit and retain highly competent individuals for its staff. It is RLD Foundation’s policy to recognize the potential of each employee without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status or family, or socio-economic backgrounds.  This policy shall apply to all phases of the employment relationship.  All applicants will be evaluated on a merit basis.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

RLD Foundation intends to conduct background checks prior to hire.

WORKING AT RLD FOUNDATION

Working at RLD Foundation means becoming part of a talented team of passionate individuals who value inclusivity and innovation, are dedicated to RLD Foundation’s mission and values. Candidates who possess exibility, maturity, vision, personal fortitude, and a sense of humor will nd it a pleasure to work here.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Ability to sit at a computer terminal for long periods of time, ability to be physically in attendance at workstation at a designated company office location during normal business hours designated for the position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, handle, and feel.

HOW TO APPLY

Priority will be given to applications received by Monday, November 24, but applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Click here to submit a resume, cover letter, and corresponding application materials.