Research Project Manager, Employer Alignment

Strada Education Foundation•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Strada's Employer Alignment focus area is driven by the belief that all individuals should have access to postsecondary programs that lead to quality jobs and mobility. Through initiatives like the State Opportunity Index, Strada leverages actionable research, policy solutions, and strategic partnerships to help states and regions align educational pathways with real-world workforce needs. We are looking for a Research Project Manager who will serve as an operational and analytical support for the Employer Alignment team contributions to the State Opportunity Index. This unique role blends the organized workflows of a project manager with the inquisitive nature of a data analyst. Working at the intersection of process and insight, you will ensure that key deliverables stay on schedule while helping uncover and translate meaningful labor market and educational data. This position is ideal for an early-career professional or someone stepping up from an administrative or junior coordination role who possesses strong technical data skills, exceptional organizational discipline, and a passion for connecting postsecondary education to quality career outcomes.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in data analytics, economics, statistics, business, communications, or a related field. Applicants with experience that strongly aligns with the roles and responsibilities without a formal degree in these specific fields are highly encouraged to apply.
1 to 3 years of professional experience conducting quantitative data analysis on structured datasets, paired with project management or administrative coordination responsibilities.
Foundational proficiency in querying and manipulating data using SQL, Python, or R, along with advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
Demonstrated experience building organized tracking systems, managing project timelines, and keeping complex initiatives running smoothly.
Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to write clear correspondence, draft briefing reports, and distill dense data findings into plain-language summaries for diverse stakeholders.
An active curiosity for educational outcomes, state workforce data, labor market dynamics, and public policy.
Collaborative and direct: you enjoy working in a team environment, value open communication, and provide straightforward, real-time updates
Detail-oriented and meticulous: you take pride in accuracy, thorough follow-through, and ensuring administrative details do not fall through the cracks
Deep commitment to Strada's mission of strengthening pathways between education and employment, particularly for underserved populations

Nice To Haves

Experience working with education, government labor, or workforce development datasets (e.g., BLS, IPEDS, Census data)
A proven track record of successful project management
Comfort exploring or utilizing generative AI tools to streamline administrative workflows and data synthesis

Responsibilities

Build, optimize, and maintain organized project management systems and tracking mechanisms for the annual State Opportunity Index to ensure deliverables remain on schedule.
Manage operational workflows between internal cross-functional teams (Research, Policy, Communications) and external consultants, maintaining clear visibility into project milestones and dependencies.
Provide real-time, straightforward updates on project progress, proactively surfacing potential risks or resource constraints before they impact timelines.
Coordinate administrative logistics, meeting schedules, documentation, and action items across state-level initiatives and partner engagements.
Clean, structure, and analyze complex education, government labor, and state workforce datasets to support the Employer Alignment team's research efforts.
Utilize foundational data tools (SQL, Python, or R) and Excel to execute quantitative analysis, conduct data validation, and maintain database integrity.
Conduct qualitative interviews and outreach with state partners to verify empirical findings, contextualize data, and gather field-level insights.
Assist in evaluating workforce trend data to support data-driven decision-making for internal leadership and external stakeholders.
Transform complex data analyses and technical findings into tangible, accessible, and actionable resources for non-technical audiences.
Draft, edit, and format short-form briefing pieces, policy summaries, and project updates for public and partner dissemination.
Leverage data visualization tools and presentation platforms to craft clear visual narratives that communicate key insights effectively.