Data & Research Analyst

The Ford Family Foundation•Roseburg, OR

1d•$37•Hybrid

About The Position

The Data & Research Analyst provides quantitative, analytical and research support to Learning & Impact team projects as well as to Foundation-wide programmatic strategy. This role sits within a highly collaborative department that supports the organization’s growth edge – where data, learning and strategy come together to inform decisions and drive future impact. The primary focus of this role is working with data and research to facilitate broader use – collecting, organizing, analyzing and synthesizing both quantitative and qualitative information to support internal research, grantmaking, strategy development and program evaluation. The Data & Research Analyst serves as a data-focused research generalist, responsible for pulling data from multiple sources, identifying patterns and trends, summarizing findings and translating data into clear, internal reports and materials. Strong quantitative skills, exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage and interpret large datasets are essential. The Data & Research Analyst helps ensure program staff have accurate, well-organized and usable data to inform decision-making, learning and impact assessment across the Foundation.

Requirements

Minimum 1-3 years’ experience working with large datasets, spreadsheets or data systems.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with ability to interpret data and identify patterns or insights.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy when working with data and research materials.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to summarize complex information concisely.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with a professional demeanor in person, over the phone and via email.
Demonstrated ability to follow established processes, identify when issues require clarification and escalate properly.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
Comfort in supporting and engaging with diverse individuals and groups.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with additional analytical and technical tools such as Tableau, R, Power BI, GIS mapping platforms and/or AI-enabled applications is preferred.
Experience with data visualization tools is a strong plus but is not required.

Responsibilities

Collect, clean, organize and analyze quantitative data from internal and external sources.
Pull and summarize grantmaking data (e.g., grant histories, patterns across portfolios, alignment with strategies).
Identify trends, gaps and inconsistencies across datasets, evaluations and grant records.
Support analysis of surveys and datasets, interpreting results and preparing clear summaries for internal audiences.
Develop internal summaries, reports and slide presentations highlighting key findings and insights.
Maintain and update datasets, spreadsheets and backend data systems that support dashboards or data visualizations.
Assist program and research staff with routine and semi-routine data compilation, analysis and reporting activities.
Conduct light background research on issue areas relevant to the Foundation’s mission and program strategies.
Identify and compile reports, data and publications from academic, nonprofit, partner and policy sources.
Evaluate sources for credibility and relevance.
Summarize research findings into briefs, notes or short presentations for staff.
Maintain organized research files, databases and internal knowledge resources.
Compile and maintain internal research summaries and reference materials.
Track developments and trends related to the Foundation’s focus areas.
Help connect internal teams with relevant external data sources and research partners.
Assist in preparing materials for internal meetings, research briefings and program discussions.
Coordinate scheduling and logistics for research related meetings.
Take notes during meetings and summarize key takeaways when requested.
Collaborate with program staff and external data partners to identify useful and reputable sources and insights.