Job Description

Use your knowledge of data and communication skills to strengthen the impact of education organizations that are working with communities to eliminate gaps for students furthest from opportunity.

Bellwether is looking for an Associate Partner – Policy to join our Policy and Evaluation team. The ideal candidate for this position will bring a deep understanding of U.S. education policy, with a passion for addressing issues affecting underserved and marginalized students; experience in conducting research and analysis; exemplary writing skills; and proven success as a people and project manager. Our work is national in scope, so our flexible working style allows our professionals to work where they have built their lives, which means Bellwether is able to hire the best person for each role, regardless of geography. Post-COVID-19 restrictions, up to approximately 25% travel may be required.

About Bellwether Education Partners

We are a national nonprofit focused on dramatically changing education and life outcomes. We are committed to improving education and advancing equity for Black, Hispanic, low-income, and other students who have been historically denied opportunity. We do this by helping education and youth-serving organizations accelerate their impact and by working to improve policy and practice.

Our Policy and Evaluation practice conducts rigorous, nimble, cutting-edge research and analysis to inform clients and the field about critical issues affecting the educational success of underserved students. Our work includes both field- and client-facing work, which includes engaging with multiple stakeholders through publication, facilitation, and convening as well as partnering with policymakers, public agencies, think tanks, funders, advocates, and educational operators to help them understand and navigate the complex policy ecosystems that affect their work.

Bellwether advises partners on issues related to policy, seeking to inform decision-making and strategy with deep expertise on education policy and practice and a breadth of experience at the federal, state, and local levels. However, because of the range of work we do and to preserve our editorial and analytic independence, we do not represent clients or engage in any lobbying.

Responsibilities

Associate Partners work as managers of small teams and take high-impact roles in both external and internal capacities. Externally, Associate Partners play an important role within Bellwether project teams by leading day-to-day communications and engagement with clients and funders; developing project plans and coordinating with both support staff and project/team leadership; identifying issues, forming hypotheses, and managing research and analysis; synthesizing findings and leading teams to generate recommendations; and ultimately helping to drive change with our clients and the field. Throughout an engagement, an Associate Partner is directly involved in planning and facilitating discussions and presentations with senior client leadership. Internally, Associate Partners work closely with Bellwether Partners and Senior Associate Partners; are assigned the role of overseeing and managing the output of more junior staff members (Senior Analysts, Analysts, Research Assistants, and Interns); and are responsible for supporting the development of more junior staff. This role will report to a senior leader on the Policy and Evaluation team.

In this position, you should expect to:

• Take on team and client leadership responsibilities, as described above.
• Partner with clients and funders to develop high-impact analysis and insights for clients and the field.
• Develop work plans and guide the team to implement them with a high degree of independence.
• Oversee and manage internal Senior Analysts, Analysts, Research Assistants, and Interns who perform research and analytical functions, as well as support their development.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis on core issues for clients, funders, and the field, and own responsibility for quality assurance for analyses performed by other team members.
• Identify key data sources and gather data through primary and secondary research.
• Write and deliver high-impact reports, presentations, and plans.
• Contribute to Bellwether’s knowledge capture and dissemination.
• Take on internal roles to build out Bellwether’s key capabilities.
• Generate creative, action-oriented insights and recommendations for both internal and external improvements.

Qualifications

Excited? We are too. You should apply if you have:

• A passion for and commitment to improving schools serving high-need students and familiarity with the challenges and disparities facing underserved students and education reform efforts in the United States.
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• At least five to seven years’ professional experience in a role requiring policy analysis, project management, research, and analytical problem solving.
• Demonstrated success in supporting the development and management of team members in a direct reporting relationship.
• A well-rounded interpersonal skill set with the capacity to collaborate with many diverse stakeholders within the organization and without, including building strong client and funder relationships, working effectively and collaboratively in a team environment, and facilitating joint problem solving with clients, funders, and team.
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, creativity in problem solving.
• Deep familiarity with the challenges facing schools and education reform efforts in the U.S.
• Experience leveraging project management tools, processes, and research to drive extraordinary outcomes.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to effectively lead the synthesis of large amounts of information into easy-to-digest work products (slide decks and/or narrative briefs and reports).
• A highly self-motivated work style and willingness to proactively take on leadership roles within project teams and the organization.
• Comfort and interest in joining a small, entrepreneurial organization with a flexible working environment.
• A strong academic record, preferably including a graduate degree, preferably in public policy or a related field.
• Ability and experience in thoughtfully giving and receiving feedback.
• Comfort with some travel.

Compensation

Bellwether Education Partners provides competitive compensation and an attractive benefits package that includes a performance bonus based on individual and organizational success, health care coverage, and a 401(k) plan with an employer matching contribution policy.

To Apply

Use your application (a custom letter of interest and a current résumé) to show us how you’ve got the skills we’ve listed or why the skills you have are the ones we actually need. We’ll review applications as we receive them until the position is filled.

Bellwether is committed to building a team that reflects the varied backgrounds and experiences of the students we seek to serve. It is important to us that you use your application materials to clearly surface ways in which your background and experiences align with Bellwether’s core values, including our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Bellwether Education Partners is committed to providing equal opportunities. It is our policy to ensure that all individuals with whom we are in contact are not discriminated against on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.

How to Apply

Job Types: Full-Time.

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