Policy and Research Fellow

ECMC Foundation is a nationally focused foundation whose mission is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. It is one of several affiliates under the ECMC Group enterprise based in Minneapolis. ECMC Foundation makes investments to remove barriers to postsecondary completion; build the capacity of organizations, institutions and systems; and transform the postsecondary ecosystem using a spectrum of funding structures, including strategic grantmaking and program-related investments, to support both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Job Summary The Fellow will play a vital role in advancing the Foundation’s North Star to eliminate gaps in postsecondary credential completion and expand economic and social mobility for underserved learners. This role is ideal for a policy-minded researcher or early-career professional interested in higher education systems, data-informed decision-making, and philanthropic impact. The Fellow will track state and federal policy developments, analyze education policy trends, design and execute research projects, and translate findings into actionable insights for internal teams and partners in the postsecondary education field. At their supervisors’ discretion, the Fellow will co-develop special, time-bound projects that align with these specified tasks. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain experience at the intersection of policy, research, and philanthropy, working collaboratively across teams to inform strategy and amplify the Foundation’s learning and impact. This role will be located in Washington, DC and will be expected to work a portion of hours in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Support the Foundation’s implementation of a digital platform to track and integrate state and federal policy opportunities into the Foundation’s grantmaking strategy.  Analyze and synthesize proposed and enacted policy changes to assess implications for students, institutions, systems, and ECMC Foundation’s grantmaking strategy.  Design, conduct, and interpret qualitative and quantitative research aligned with the Foundation’s strategic framework.  Work with large federal, state, and institutional datasets (e.g., IPEDS, NSC, Census, State Longitudinal Datasets) to support analysis of postsecondary access, persistence, and completion trends.  Prepare data visualizations and write summaries that communicate findings clearly and persuasively to non-technical audiences.  Support the design and facilitation of team meetings, learning sessions, and convenings, including producing invitations, pre-reads, briefings, and other materials that inform strategic discussions with internal and external stakeholders.  Participate in Foundation-wide meetings by presenting, translating, and synthesizing learnings from Policy and Research team activities.    Contribute to the effectuation of meeting follow-up items including pursuing additional insights regarding emergent questions and exploratory lines of research that might also inform strategic priorities. Translate complex research and policy findings into concise memos, reports, and presentations for diverse audiences.  Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree and actively pursuing a master’s degree or a doctorate in higher education, public policy, economics, sociology, or a related field. 2+ years of professional experience in policy research, education administration, or government/policy roles. Strong research and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to collect, interpret, and visualize data. Experience working with data tools or analytic software (e.g., Excel, R, Stata, Tableau, ArcGIS, Dedoose, NVivo, Atlas.TI). Familiarity with federal and state policy processes (gained through higher education or another sector or focal issue, e.g., early childcare development, K12, healthcare, community development), postsecondary systems, and student success frameworks. Familiarity with scholarly research repositories. Demonstrated project management skills and ability to meet deadlines in a collaborative environment under competing priorities. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate across teams and stakeholder groups. Exceptional writing and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for diverse audiences. Professional Development  ECMC Foundation is committed to cultivating the professional growth of all team members. The Fellow will have access to a range of learning and mentoring opportunities designed to deepen knowledge, expand networks, and build long-term career capacity in higher education policy, research, and philanthropy.  During the fellowship, the selected candidate will:  Participate in structured mentorship with ECMC Foundation’s senior leadership and Policy and Research team members.  Attend internal learning sessions, strategy meetings, and external convenings to gain insight into philanthropic grantmaking, policy engagement, and systems change work.  Receive ongoing feedback and coaching focused on leadership, communication, and analytical skills.  Have opportunities to represent the Foundation in professional settings, including policy briefings, research forums, or cross-sector collaborations.  Gain exposure to a national network of policy and research experts, foundation professionals, and education stakeholders.  ECMC Foundation may choose to conduct reference checks as part of the hiring process. The hourly rate for this Fellow position is $35.00 per hour for graduate students. Fellows are expected to work 20-28 hours weekly throughout the duration of the fellowship program, which is targeted to be a one-year commitment. Please note this position is not eligible for benefits. The ECMC Foundation team observes a hybrid work model, working in-office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and working from home on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The expected schedule will be established upon completion of the hiring process, with consideration to the fellow’s academic schedule. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.