Education Analytics (EA) is a national non-profit organization that supports states, districts, and other non-profits as they learn to enhance their ability to leverage data, analytics, and scientific research to improve student outcomes. We have a staff of around 85 technologists, scientists, and strategists all focused on improving district and state support nationwide in this new field of “data science.” Our current organizational strategy relies on decreasing the cost of complex data flows and increasing the usability of data systems and applications for on-the-ground use as the complexity of these data explodes. We work shoulder to shoulder with our district and state partners to make sure they have the highest levels of support when taking on these new challenges.

Description

The Data Strategist position will focus on ensuring software application project success for our partners and for EA as an organization. The Data Strategist role at EA interfaces with everyone involved in each project, particularly with project partners, data engineers, and software engineers. The position requires a mix of analytical, communication, technical, and strategic project management skills to meet the challenges of using data and analysis in the complex environment of schools, districts, and state education organizations.

This position will lead collaborative projects related to our foundational goal of automating data systems and analytics to increase utility to educators. One of the ways we do this is by creating intuitive, user-centered reporting systems and dashboards that support continuous school improvement by allowing stakeholders to answer analytical questions across multiple sources of data. The Data Strategist will need to have expertise in driving reporting and dashboards projects (sample EA projects).

Hybrid/remote candidates will be considered for this position with periodic paid travel to headquarters and to partner locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Partner Strategy and Management

• Collaboratively identify partner needs, potential roadblocks, and possible solutions with respect to data reporting and use.
• Identify opportunities for EA to better serve our partners through innovation, efficiencies, and connections across various projects currently at EA.
• Serve as the intermediary between partners and internal technical teams to ensure timelines and expectations are met.
• Co-create written documentation that translates complex technical and/or statistical information into user-friendly guidance documents, reports, presentations, and policy memos.

Project Strategy and Management

• Facilitate internal and external meetings to drive work forward through in-person meetings, phone calls and video conferences.
• Ensure project documentation is organized and thorough to foster organizational learning at EA as well as with the partner.
• Manage the project timeline and deliverables using EA’s project management tools and processes.
• Support and innovate on internal systems and process development on the Data Strategy team as well as other EA teams.
• Project management certification a plus.

Team Strategy and Management

• Collaborate with team leadership on team and organizational strategy.
• Manage members of the Data Strategy team, including providing project guidance, giving and receiving feedback, and conducting performance reviews.

Business Development

• Identify new partnerships and find ways to deepen existing partnerships as needs arise.
• Support the proposal creation and submission process for grant and RFP opportunities.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Orientation to the Work

• An innovative mindset looking to push the boundaries of what is possible in education data use to support P-12 education.
• Willingness to continue to learn every day at work and to admit mistakes and step outside of your comfort zone.
• Ability to think strategically about complex issues as they arise, including weighing competing options and acknowledging the importance of context.
• Comfortable with both taking initiative and sharing responsibility in a team-based, collaborative environment at a fast-paced, fast-growing nonprofit.
• Customer-service and entrepreneurial orientation to working with partners in a way that ensures EA exceeds expectations.
• Weekly hour expectation is 45 hours per week, with the understanding that specific periods around project deadlines may require additional time commitment to support completion.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Familiarity with data analysis and management in education.
• Background in technical project management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects through to successful completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; presentation and/or meeting facilitation skills a plus.
• Personnel management including the ability to create and implement learning opportunities.
• Strong problem-solving and systems-thinking skills.
• Ability to create and foster internal and external relationships.

• Ability to handle numerous time-sensitive tasks concurrently and adapt to a fast-paced environment.

Education and Experience

• 3-5 years of experience in managing software application projects, preferably in an education organization.
• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary for this position is $95,000, based on experience. EA also has a generous benefits package including:

• Automatic 12% 401k contribution (with up to 3% more based on employee match)
• Paid parental leave for up to 26 weeks
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options with a generous employer contribution
• Employer paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• 9 paid holidays of your choosing per year
• 26.5 vacation days/year and sick leave accruals
• Employer paid transportation support for Madison-based employees
• Paid professional development opportunities
• Flexible workplace options

Supplemental Information

Application Materials

Applications for the position must include a cover letter and resume. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Data Strategy team. Candidates invited to interview will receive an FAQ about the hiring process, the position, and EA, as well as instructions for completing a video interview.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Education Analytics is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 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, or veteran status.

COVID-19

We want to let candidates know that EA is a federal contractor with over 50 employees. As the situation has evolved with federal requirements, we now require vaccinations for all employees. Medical and Religious accommodations will be granted where they do not cause Education Analytics undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others. Keep this requirement in mind and please reach out if you have any questions or would like to request accommodation.