Research Analyst - Excelencia in Education #2023-2760

Research Analyst 

Research is the foundation of our work at Excelencia in Education, enabling us to grow into a vital source of information for policymakers and institutions and a change agent to benefit Latinos in higher education and the workforce. As a Research Analyst, reporting to the Director of Research, you will collect and interpret data with a focus on storytelling and visualization through both qualitative and quantitative analysis that furthers Excelencia’s portfolio of policies and programs to accelerate Latino student success in higher education and beyond.

Working alongside our Senior Research Analyst, Senior Manager of Data Systems, Policy Analyst, and Research Fellow, you will dig into the data and research that shapes our policies and informs our practices. You will leverage your technical skills to produce compelling analyses, including visualizations and briefs for institutional leaders, practitioners, and policymakers. Our policy agenda includes research in four critical areas: affordability (ensuring Latino students have equitable access to resources), institutional capacity (addressing inequities that exist for Latino students and the institutions that enroll them), retention and transfer (improving pathways to college completion), and workforce (ensuring institutions prepare Latino students to enter the workforce with a degree and succeed as competitive candidates). Each year, our team works on grant-funded and content-based projects, including analyses of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (including emerging and graduate level), impact analysis of our SEAL certification program, analyses of conditions influencing institutional resilience, and more. Our deliverables span in size and complexity from fact sheets, infographics, and issue briefs to data profile reports and mixed methods analyses. Although it varies from year to year, we typically produce and distribute 3-5 more extensive publications and 3-5 shorter reports.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• Employees local to our Washington, DC office work a hybrid schedule, collaborating at least twice a week at the office and working from their home office up to three days a week. If you are not local, you will work primarily from your home office with occasional domestic travel for events and staff retreats.
• The budgeted salary range for this role is $65-75K annually, with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental insurance; paid annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays; time off between Christmas and New Year’s; and a retirement plan with employer contribution.
• You will join a high-performing, innovative, collaborative, and supportive team; your colleagues are eager to offer help, figure things out together, celebrate our wins, and reflect on our processes. We strive for a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

How You’ll Make an Impact  

You will play an active role in supporting a process to enable more higher education institutions to accelerate Latino student success more intentionally. Within the first year:

• You will collaborate on data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination for one major research project using storytelling to inform institutions and decision makers on how to more intentionally support Latino students. You’ll produce content that informs and compels action and impacts Latino student success.
• You will provide team support and feedback for 2-3 major research projects and ensure all smaller internal and external data requests are met promptly in accordance with Excelencia’s style, tone, and vision. You will also provide ongoing data collection and analysis support for events, ensuring presenters have engaging, accurate, and persuasive materials telling our impact and mission story.
• Working with our communications team, you will write compelling, data-driven copy for social media, our website, and e-blasts to ensure our research reaches the right audience, inspiring constituents and decision makers to learn more and take action.

Responsibilities

• Summarize and analyze quantitative and qualitative data and explain research findings and their implications for a national audience.
• Review and summarize published research.
• Write publications for internal and external audiences.
• Monitor external research and policy developments.
• Collaborate with colleagues on the research team and across the organization, providing feedback and supporting program initiatives.
• Serve as a representative for Excelencia with stakeholders. Be an inclusive connector who finds relevant points of affinity within the network and Excelencia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 1-3 years of experience with policy and research; graduate education preferred in relevant discipline.
• Deep understanding of higher education issues with a focus on underrepresented populations and educational equity.
• Demonstrated ability to comprehend, translate, and communicate data in terms of relevance and impact in a range of formats and to a range of audiences.
• Excellent analytical research skills and experience in qualitative and quantitative research. Expertise with Excel and familiarity with Tableau and R are preferred.
• Demonstrated capability in managing multiple projects simultaneously and under the pressure of deadlines.

About Us

Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia is building a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s need for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leadership.

Excelencia is a growing, fast-paced nonprofit organization with a small and dynamic team deeply committed to its mission. With headquarters in Washington, DC and led by two co-founders, the President and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Excelencia is now expanding its organizational structure to increase its capacity to meet its mission and accelerate Latino student success in higher education.  

To Apply

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.

Use the apply button on this page or simply email your resume to Lilly Khan at resumes@staffingadvisors.com with “Excelencia – Research Analyst #2023-2760 SA” as the subject of the email.

Job responsibilities are similar to the following positions: Research Associate, Policy Fellow, Data Analyst, Education Policy Researcher.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.