Senior Manager, Strategy & Growth, What Works Cities

Organization: Results for America

Role: Senior Manager, Strategy & Growth, What Works Cities

Location: Flexible, within the United States or Latin America

Organization Overview

Results for America (RFA) is the leading, national nonprofit organization helping policymakers at all levels of government harness the power of evidence and data to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Our mission is to make investing in what works the “new normal,” so that, one day, all government leaders use rigorous evidence and quality data to inform important policy and funding decisions. We believe that data-driven and evidence-based policy decisions should be used to increase the impact of the over $2 trillion that governments spend annually to open opportunities and advance economic mobility. 

Team Overview

At Results for America, one of our flagship local initiatives is What Works Cities (WWC), a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded initiative that helps city governments across the country improve residents’ lives by using data and evidence effectively to tackle pressing challenges. To accomplish this, we work directly with city leaders and staff through coaching and implementation support, a range of online and in-person learning opportunities, and a growing professional network. This support is guided by What Works Cities Certification, the first-ever international standard of excellence for data-driven, well-managed local government.

What Works Cities Standard  assesses cities based on their data-driven decision-making practices, such as whether they are using data to set goals and track progress, allocate funding, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and achieve desired outcomes from contracts with outside vendors. The program also measures whether cities are publicly and transparently communicating about their use of data and evidence. By aspiring toward What Works Cities Certification and implementing the best practices outlined in the program’s criteria, cities across the country are more effectively delivering results for residents. What Works Cities Standard  also serves as an international recognition program, which celebrates and accelerates the use of data and evidence in local governments by rewarding achievements and providing a clear path to excellence. Since our launch in 2015, we have helped more than 300 cities make progress on their most pressing issues, from health and public safety to homelessness and blight. 

Now in its 11th year, What Works Cities is entering an exciting new phase. The initiative will continue scaling across North, Central, and South America, surpassing the 100 Certified cities milestone while also exploring other regional markets. WWC is also developing innovative ways for cities to engage and build capacity from those just beginning their Certification journey to those deepening their work as Certified cities. 

Position Overview
The Senior Manager, Strategy & Growth is responsible for translating What Works Cities’ growth strategy into an effective outreach operating model, including clear priorities, engagement approaches, relationship management frameworks, performance expectations, and pipeline management standards. The role manages the implementation and continuous improvement of this model across the organization while directly managing a portfolio of targeted cities.

The Senior Manager applies and refines market intelligence, city-targeting, and opportunity-forecasting frameworks to assess countries, regions, and municipalities with strong potential for engagement and Certification. By combining external market indicators with pipeline and performance data, the role develops recommendations for the Associate Director regarding portfolio design, outreach sequencing and adjustments to the broader growth strategy.

Serving WWC’s three current regional markets—North America, Central America, and South America—as well as future areas of growth, the Senior Manager works across teams to strengthen the systems, processes, and capabilities that support city acquisition and engagement. This includes CRM workflows, performance reviews, staff training, strategic events, partnerships, and targeted outreach initiatives. By connecting strategic direction with operational execution, the role helps ensure that growth priorities are implemented consistently, monitored effectively, and continuously improved.

International travel up to 40% annually will be required to support city visits and/or external convenings. 

This is a full time, exempt position, based in a home office anywhere within the U.S. or Latin America.

Position Reporting Relationship

The Senior Manager, Strategy & Growth, What Works Cities reports to the Associate Director, Strategy & Growth, What Works Cities. 

Position Responsibilities

Outreach Strategy, Scaling & Portfolio Leadership (30%)

• Develop and operationalize outreach and acquisition plans aligned with established growth strategies for priority city segments, regions, and markets.
• Translate WWC’s growth objectives into clear outreach priorities and engagement approaches, serving all current regional markets—North, Central and South America—as well as future areas of growth.
• Develop and help establish relationship management frameworks and engagement cadences to guide how cities are engaged across different stages of the outreach process.
• Provide operational guidance to Outreach Managers and promote consistency in how cities are engaged and moved through the pipeline.
• Oversee outreach campaigns and engagement programs, reviewing results and recommending or implementing necessary adjustments.
• Work closely with the Strategy and Growth Associate to translate tactical outreach priorities into consistent day-to-day execution, while reporting portfolio progress, emerging risks, and recommended adjustments to the Associate Director.
• Partner with Strategic Communications and other relevant teams to support the planning, execution, and performance monitoring of paid digital advertising campaigns that advance WWC’s city acquisition and growth objectives.
• Directly manage a portfolio of targeted cities, applying and refining approaches for converting initial city interest into sustained participation in the Data Snapshot, Assessment, and Certification processes.
• Identify and support scaling opportunities through strategic partnerships, regional networks, and institutional ecosystems.

Market Intelligence, City Targeting & Forecasting (30%)

• Manage and conduct comparative analyses of countries, markets, and regional ecosystems to identify growth opportunities.
• Develop and refine methodologies for assessing city readiness and Certification potential, in alignment with WWC’s broader growth strategy.
• Develop city and market forecasts at the country, state, provincial, and regional levels.
• Develop and apply criteria for prioritizing countries and cities based on readiness, opportunity, strategic fit, and expected return on outreach effort.
• Combine institutional indicators, public-sector data, ecosystem intelligence, and pipeline information to estimate market opportunity.
• Translate market intelligence and forecasting into recommendations for resource allocation, portfolio design, and outreach sequencing.
• Identify emerging readiness signals and acquisition opportunities before direct outreach begins.
• Partner with the Strategy and Growth Associate across market intelligence, city targeting, and forecasting activities, ensuring that the work reflects the strategic direction established by the Associate Director and jointly translating findings into recommendations to inform their decision-making.

Growth Operations, CRM & Performance Strategy (15%)

• Manage and continuously improve the operating model for managing the WWC growth pipeline, including stages, tiers, engagement statuses, definitions, and operating rules.
• Ensure that Salesforce and related tracking systems provide accurate and actionable visibility into engagement, conversion, and pipeline health.
• Recommend and implement improvements to workflows connecting outreach campaigns, city engagement, Data Snapshot participation, Assessment progression, and Certification.
• Partner with the Strategy and Growth Associate to maintain pipeline accuracy, while providing the Associate Director with timely insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Inform and support decisions regarding CRM automation, system integration, and reporting requirements, without owning technical implementation.
• Analyze conversion patterns, portfolio performance, and engagement trends to identify strategic or operational adjustments and develop recommendations for strategic consideration.
• Translate performance findings into recommendations for outreach strategy to all current regional markets—North, Central and South America—as well as future areas of growth.

Strategic Events, Partnerships & Special Initiatives (15%)

• Identify events with strong potential for city acquisition, relationship-building, or strategic positioning and recommend participation priorities.
• Translate established strategic priorities into clear objectives and city engagement plans for priority conferences and convenings.
• Manage city recruitment, participant preparation, and post-event conversion plans.
• Attend conferences to meet with city practitioners and staff to promote the What Works Cities initiative and support recruitment efforts
• Develop and manage the implementation of targeted pilots, special outreach initiatives, or non-routine engagement efforts when standard approaches are insufficient.
• Work with the Strategy and Growth Associate on city research, recruitment, preparation, follow-up, and pipeline tracking for events and special initiatives, while keeping the Associate Director informed of progress, results, and decisions requiring strategic direction.
• Evaluate special initiatives based on their contribution to broader growth objectives and pipeline outcomes.
• Participate in cross-team projects and organizational initiatives as assigned, contributing Strategy & Growth expertise and support as needed.

Staff Management & Capability Development (10%)

• Manage the recruitment and supervision of Strategy & Growth team intern(s)
• Build consistent outreach practices through training, tools, and documented processes.
• Monitor and reinforce adherence to expectations related to portfolio accuracy, timely follow-up, and pipeline management standards across the team.
• Work alongside the Strategy and Growth Associate to develop tools, training, and documented processes, reinforce consistent practices across the team, and jointly identify capacity needs and improvement opportunities for consideration by the Associate Director.

Experience, Competencies, and Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, as well as an alignment with Results for America’s mission and organizational values:

Experience & Qualifications:

• 8 - 10 years of relevant work experience and Bachelors degree 
  • 4–6 years of relevant experience in marketing, growth, business development strategy, consulting or related fields
  • Prior experience  working with local governments or public-sector institutions and knowledge of their structures, decision-making processes, and operational constraints;
  • Valued:  Professional proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese
  • Valued:  Marketing communications work experience
• Track record of developing and implementing marketing, outreach, engagement, acquisition, or growth initiatives;
• Strong research and analytical capabilities, including market analysis, targeting, and opportunity forecasting;
• Success building and managing relationships with government representatives, institutional partners, and senior internal and external stakeholders;
• Familiarity with CRM and performance data to manage pipelines, assess results, and inform operational decisions;
• Tech stack: Google Suite, MS Office, Asana, Slack, WhatsApp; Ramp; bill.com;  Salesforce; ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude
  • Valued: Familiarity with Meta Ads, Linkedin Ads, & Google Ads
  • Valued: ArcGIS or data visualization and mapping tools
• A commitment to Results for America’s mission and vision; 
• Respect for Results for America’s organizational values.

Competencies

• Ability to independently manage multiple projects at one time & achieve goals
• Ability to prioritize and delegate work laterally and/or to direct reports
• Strong strategic and analytical judgment, with the ability to translate broader growth objectives into actionable plans, processes, and performance expectations.
• Strong project and portfolio management skills, including attention to detail, sound time management, and consistent follow-through.
• Ability to interpret data, identify patterns, structure complex analyses, and develop clear recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, particularly in government, nonprofit, or other mission-driven environments.
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous or evolving environments, take initiative, and adapt plans as priorities change.
• Strong, versatile oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across entire org and with group of internal & external stakeholders

Salary and Benefits

Results for America offers a compensation package that includes:   

• A competitive base salary commensurate with relevant work experience; and
• A benefits package that includes choice in medical plans; dental/vision coverage; paid time off; a 403b retirement plan with employer contribution.  

The salary range for this position is $95,693 - $114,365.

New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.   

How to Apply

• To apply for this position, please complete and submit all information in the application/application link. 
• RFA is an equal opportunity employer that values/celebrates diversity and that follows a policy of making all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, partnership status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking, military status, veteran status or any other category protected under federal, state or local law.
• Applicants for employment with RFA must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.