Senior Analyst - ITHAKA

Ithaka S+R, a service of ITHAKA, is a non-profit research and consulting service that helps the academic and cultural communities serve the public good and navigate economic, technological, and demographic change. Team members in our Educational Transformation Program study and support the adoption and scaling of policies, practices, and innovations that improve student postsecondary access and success. Our growing team offers unique opportunities for your research skills and project management talent to play a vital role in shaping the national postsecondary educational landscape and improving the lives of students. Examples of our current projects include the American Talent Initiative; evaluations of data-informed student success interventions; equity-focused research on student debt; innovations in student and institutional financing of higher education; student veterans access and success; community college transfer; higher education in prisons; and state and federal education policy analysis.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit: 

• their resume;
• a detailed cover letter;
• a writing sample that demonstrates or reports on quantitative analysis.

The deadline to submit application requirements is 11:45 PM on November 18, 2024. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered on an as-needed basis.

The Role

ITHAKA is seeking a Senior Analyst to join our research and consulting group, Ithaka S+R. As part of our Educational Transformation Program, you will design and carry out qualitative and quantitative studies of promising initiatives in areas like technology-enhanced learning, student advising and support, and institutional organization and governance. We help partner organizations develop and implement evidence-based strategies that emerge from this research and we convene and build networks of partner organizations to help them learn from one another.

As a Senior Analyst, you will contribute to and help lead multiple concurrent projects that involve both quantitative and qualitative research. In this role, you will be responsible for high-quality, on-time completion of tasks such as desk research, assisting in data collection and analysis, report drafting, project management, and partner engagement. The Senior Analyst will have significant and substantive responsibility in working with partner organizations and leading projects to success. You will work with prominent and experienced colleagues, leaders, and researchers, helping produce high-quality deliverables that have an impact on the field. 

This position will report to a Senior Researcher in the Educational Transformation Program within Ithaka S+R. Although ITHAKA has physical offices in New York and Ann Arbor, Michigan, our employees are distributed across the continental United States. 

Responsibilities

As a Senior Analyst, you will independently manage the execution of multiple concurrent projects with ambitious deadlines. You are responsible for high-quality, on-time completion of tasks such as desk research, data collection and analysis, report drafting, and project management. You must be comfortable balancing multiple active projects in a rapidly changing environment. You will be expected to learn quickly about complicated subjects with which you may not have previous experience and to clearly communicate your learnings with others.

• Design and execute quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, which may take the form of:
• Conducting data analyses using descriptive and inferential methods.
• Designing and administering surveys and analyzing the results.
• Developing protocols for and conducting stakeholder interviews and focus groups and synthesizing findings.
• Conducting desk research utilizing public, internal, and partner-provided sources.
• Creating graphs, tables, and presentations to communicate research findings.
• Providing logistical support for research and strategic efforts, such as maintaining data, managing relationships, and utilizing data tools.

• Independently manage the workflow, stakeholder engagement, and communications of projects for which you are responsible:
• Lead the day-to-day engagement with our partners, including senior leaders of colleges and universities, other education organizations, and funders.
• Maintain project plans and coordinate the activities of multiple stakeholders to produce timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Design tools and resources to distill and act on information gathered from stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Write emails, memos, and briefs to clearly communicate concepts and processes to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the creation of compelling reports and presentations of research findings and recommendations.
• Contribute to proposal development to extend project work.

• Raise awareness of our work and support new project development:
• Organize and participate in brainstorming sessions to generate ideas and discuss project strategy.
• Support the development of detailed project proposals and research plans.
• Maintain awareness of major issues in higher education that may impact our projects.
• Represent Ithaka S+R at conferences, networking events, and partner meetings, with travel for these purposes and team retreats amounting to 5-10% 

Experience and Skills

Any combination of professional experience, volunteer work, coursework, and other transferable skills may be applied toward these qualifications. Candidates need not demonstrate all criteria to be considered for the role.

• Undergraduate or graduate training in a field that requires strong writing and research methods training or equivalent experience and skills.
• At least two years of relevant work experience.
• Proficiency in appropriate statistical software (Stata preferred; SPSS, R, Python, SAS acceptable).
• Experience collecting, cleaning, and analyzing individual-level data.
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex concepts and research findings into compelling and accessible reports and engaging presentations.
• Ability to prioritize and manage your own work, perform well under pressure, and meet deadlines while ensuring acute attention to detail and accuracy.
• Curiosity and an interest in education policy.
• Ability to work in our open, collaborative, and team-oriented culture.
• Demonstrated commitment to our organizational values of belonging, evidence, speed, teamwork, and trust.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship                                         

ITHAKA is not currently considering candidates who require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States.

Compensation & Benefits

At ITHAKA we believe in openness and equity. Part of living those values is our commitment to clarity about salary, so candidates know what to expect. The starting salary range for the Senior Analyst position is $70,000 - $75,000 per year. Starting pay may vary with job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. At present, our total compensation package for benefits-eligible employees includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer-paid 10% retirement contribution, paid parental and caregiver leave, 22 days of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, up to 12 sick days, wellness benefits, gym reimbursement, and more. Please note that ITHAKA, at its discretion, may make changes to its benefits programs from time to time. #LI-JS1 #LI-REMOTE