Research Associate

The Research Associate is a key team member in executing the multi-year strategic plan recently adopted for the Strada Education Foundation, reporting to the Vice President, Research. The Research Associate will help support Strada’s research agenda with a focus on affordability, quality education-to-employment coaching, and work-based learning by conducting research, analyzing data, drafting documents, providing project management support, and other activities needed to meet key milestones and deliverables.

The Research Associate will work closely with the research team and cross-functional initiative teams on projects, strategy and other duties as assigned to inform practice and policy solutions that promote equitable pathways to opportunity through post-high school education. The Research Associate will have a combination of expertise that includes quantitative research methodology, attention to detail, project management, strong written and verbal communication abilities, and the interpersonal skills to build and enjoy strong collaborative partnerships.

The Strada postsecondary education research team develops evidence and insights to help connect individuals to opportunity through postsecondary education — especially those who face the greatest barriers to doing so. We conduct innovative and actionable research, grounded in student experiences, and pointing to solutions with the power to bring stakeholders into partnerships that deliver progress for all.

The Research Associate will work across our portfolio as a critical team member. The team functions as both a shared service that supports internal clients, while also identifying and pursuing knowledge that advances systems change that will improve students’ education-to-employment outcomes. This position will be located in Washington, DC or Indianapolis, IN with a hybrid work environment working in the Strada office at least two days a week, with the option to work remotely otherwise.

Context

Strada Education Foundation supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between education and employment in the U.S., with a special focus on helping those who have faced the greatest challenges securing economic opportunity through postsecondary education and training. Our strategic plan focuses on improving equitable pathways to opportunity through post-high school education through five strategic areas of focus: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment. 

We work with partners in education and training, nonprofit organizations, industry, startups, philanthropy, and public policy. We leverage strategic philanthropy, investments, research, communications, advocacy, and collaborating organizations in the pursuit of our mission. Strada offers a dynamic, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative professional environment full of learning and professional development through both internal and external partnerships.

Key responsibilities: The Research Associate has three core responsibility areas, listed below with the approximate time required for execution.

1. Provide support to the execution of a strategic research agenda focused on accessible and affordable quality post-high school education and training. (40%)

• Conduct initial research or analysis on key issues to help move the initiative forward and stay up to date on latest trends and developments in the field.
• Conduct data management, analysis, visualization, and reporting.
• Provide project management support, such as maintaining project plans, ensuring key actions are taken and followed up on, taking notes during meetings and executing follow-up actions.
• Draft documents and slide decks for external and internal audiences.
• Work closely with members of the research team to provide writing and data analysis support for strategic research content for public release.
• Build documents, dashboards, slide decks and other materials as needed for internal and external projects related to the execution of strategic research.
• Help prepare materials and talking points for priority meetings, events and speaking engagements.
• Work on cross-functional teams to deliver tangible results and outcomes. 
• Track initiative milestones.

2. Provide support to the execution of a research agenda focused on additional areas of strategic focus, including career guidance and work-based learning. (40%)

• Conduct initial research or analysis on key issues to help move the initiative forward and stay up to date on latest trends and developments in the field.
• Conduct data management, analysis, visualization, and reporting.
• Provide project management support, such as maintaining project plans, ensuring key actions are taken and followed up on, taking notes during meetings and executing follow-up actions.
• Draft documents and slide decks for external and internal audiences.
• Work closely with members of the research team to provide writing and data analysis support for strategic research content for public release.
• Build documents, dashboards, slide decks and other materials as needed for internal and external projects related to the execution of strategic research.
• Help prepare materials and talking points for priority meetings, events and speaking engagements.
• Work on cross-functional teams to deliver tangible results and outcomes. 
• Track initiative milestones.

3. Support Team and Organizational Health and DEI (20%)

• Support an inclusive workplace culture through actively engaging in Strada’s diversity, equity, and inclusion activities. Incorporate tools and processes to deliver on Strada’s commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion through research.
• Identify and advocate for research design, analyses, and reporting that provide insights into the diverse experiences of individuals in education and employment after high school.

The Person: Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Demonstrated competency in quantitative or qualitative research with the ability to project manage, coordinate, multi-task, draft materials and execute priority tasks and ensure follow-through of priority actions. 
• At least two years of relevant work experience preferred; internships will be considered. 
• Experience with a statistical modeling software; Stata preferred.
• Experience with common education datasets such as IPEDS or NPSAS, and an interest in developing a strong working knowledge of other data sources (e.g., ACS, CPS, etc.), preferred.
• Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop written, verbal, and visual content for research communications that can reach multiple audiences, including reports, presentations, speaking notes, and other materials.

Travel Requirements:

The Research Associate should anticipate occasional travel (5%) to attend all-staff events or professional development opportunities, present research insights, represent Strada at convenings, and as a partner in external and internal initiatives.

Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with Strada's guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.

Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.

Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.

Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.

Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to Strada’s organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. Strada is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace-certified by Diversity for Social Impact, a strategic professional and organization development company dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion to drive social impact worldwide. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.