Policy and Evaluation Manager

About Us

The pretrial stage is a critical juncture in the larger criminal justice process; whether or not someone gets out of custody after arrest is a major determinant of the ultimate outcome of the case, as those who remain in jail are more likely to face a conviction than those who are released. In addition, the presumption of innocence and constitutional protections against excessive bail are two of our most foundational legal principles. Despite these facts, and against the backdrop of mass incarceration nationwide, jail populations in San Francisco and across the country are disproportionately composed of pretrial individuals.

We work to address this critical issue by providing alternatives to pretrial incarceration. By doing so, the San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project (SF Pretrial) does its part to prevent unjust harm and unnecessary incarceration. Rather than languishing behind bars, newly arrested people can be released to our services to receive care, support, case management, and referrals to outside treatment providers. Our services are diverse and wide-ranging in recognition of the many needs that justice-involved people may have. Further, San Francisco has been the seat of new bail reform initiatives in California, which has afforded us the opportunity to continue to grow and build on our 45 years of experience overseeing pretrial services in the City and County.

Summary

The Manager of Policy & Evaluation works closely with the Senior Director of Policy & Evaluation to maintain and improve the department's core operations. This role coordinates database operations, supports grant compliance efforts, and manages key evaluation projects.

The manager serves as the organization's primary database systems lead, managing ongoing database operations, vendor relationships, and data quality across all programs. This position requires strong project management skills, technical fluency, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments to maintain reliable systems that serve both immediate operational needs and long-term strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Data Systems Leadership & Database Management

• Coordinate routine database operations and maintenance with database vendor under Senior Director's guidance
• Gather requirements for database enhancement projects from program staff
• Draft technical specifications and coordinate user acceptance testing; coordinate iterative development process with database vendor
• Maintain data collection protocols and ensure data quality across programs
• Troubleshoot database issues and stand as first point of contact for technical questions
• Train staff on database functionality and best practices
• Track database-related invoicing and coordinate with Finance on allocations

Program Evaluation & Data Analysis

Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Process Improvement

Supervision & Team Coordination

Essential Competencies

Project Coordination : Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, anticipate bottlenecks, and deliver results on deadline

Technical Aptitude : Comfortable working with database systems, data analysis tools, and technology platforms; able to translate between technical and programmatic language

Team Development : Skill in building team capacity, providing clear direction, and creating environments where staff can grow and succeed

Emerging Leadership : Demonstrated potential to develop supervisory skills and grow into broader management responsibilities

Quality Focus : Commitment to accuracy and quality in data, reporting, and documentation with systems to catch errors before they become problems

Collaborative Approach : Ability to lead through influence across departments, building consensus and partnerships without direct authority

Growth Mindset : Eagerness to learn, receive feedback, and develop new competencies

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications