Specialist, Strategic Policy, Innovation, and Research

Foundation for California Community Colleges

9d • $70,000 - $75,000 • Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a Specialist to join the Foundation in its mission of benefitting, supporting, and enhancing the California Community Colleges—the largest and most diverse system of higher education in the nation. The Foundation for California Community Colleges is on a mission to double its impact in the next 10 years. We are a group of relentless optimists and innovators in education, working collaboratively with public and private partners to help improve the student experience and expand pathways to economic and social mobility in communities across California. The Success Center at the Foundation for California Community Colleges supports California Community Colleges in advancing equity-centered student success through policy development, research, strategic innovation projects, field engagement, and professional development. This work is engaging, fast-paced, and ever evolving and requires a flexible personality who enjoys working in a team-based environment. The Foundation for California Community Colleges is the trusted partner of the California Community Colleges— facilitating collaboration, accelerating innovation, and increasing system-wide resources. The Specialist-Strategic Policy, Innovation, and Research will contribute to advancing student success and equity in higher education. This role involves strategic planning and implementation of multiple initiatives that drive state- and system-wide goals, while fostering strong relationships with diverse stakeholders. The position is primarily remote with some travel required.

Requirements

• Minimum of three (3) years of related work experience in stakeholder engagement, policy development, research, or project management.
• Experience working within higher education systems and structures, including working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience conducting secondary research, writing in-depth reports in a professional setting, and managing multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional, and audience-appropriate reports, briefs, and presentations.
• Highly organized, self-starting, and able to work independently while managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Strategic and creative thinker, adaptable in fast-paced environments, able to problem-solve and respond swiftly to emerging needs.
• Must reside in California

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education reform, systems change, or nonprofit/public sector environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the project team lead by assisting in the development and execution of project plans, including tracking deliverables, milestones, and outcomes.
• Develop clear and compelling policy briefs, reports, presentations, and communication materials that translate complex research, policy analysis, and project conclusions into actionable insights and recommendations for diverse audiences.
• Support the design and execution of research to improve student success.
• Collaborate closely with senior team members to conduct qualitative and quantitative research, including supporting data collection activities (e.g., interviews, focus groups, case studies), conducting data analysis using publicly available data, conducting secondary research and synthesizing findings from higher education research and policy
• Build and sustain strong relationships with FoundationCCC partners, the Chancellor’s Office, and other higher education, government, and nonprofit partners
• Stay attuned to federal, state and system office policy development efforts by attending Chancellor’s Office events, Board of Governors meetings, legislative hearings and briefings, and other relevant meetings, virtually or in-person.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, generous PTO, holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Wellness offerings
• CalPERS retirement program and optional 403(b) and 457 Retirement plans
• Tuition reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees