Impact & Strategy Research Associate

North Carolina State University

Raleigh (NC)

On-site

USD 72,000 - 76,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Accident Plan

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University’s Friday Institute in Raleigh is seeking a Research Associate, Strategy and Impact to coordinate across initiatives, articulate research into action, and share progress with internal and external partners and funders. This role emphasizes turning complex ideas into structured plans and clear communications to build momentum for program outcomes.

You will synthesize research and feedback, develop actionable workplans, and elevate the Institute’s impact by producing

Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize research, stakeholder feedback, and implementation data to identify insights, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas for academic and practitioner audiences through written materials, presentations, and other communications.
Project management, organizational, and coordination skills sufficient to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through.
Facilitation, presentation, and relationship-building skills sufficient to effectively engage diverse academic, practitioner, and partner audiences.
Knowledge of digital learning and emerging technologies, including computer science and AI education, and their application to teaching, learning, implementation, or program improvement.

Responsibilities

The Research Associate will report to the Executive Director of the Friday Institute and will provide direct support to coordinate across initiatives, communicate clearly with internal and external partners, and maintain shared visibility into priorities, progress, and decisions.
A core function of this role is extending reach-helping to author, package, publish, and report on its work so that high-quality ideas and programming become usable artifacts, visible impact, and sustained momentum with partners and funders.
The primary work centres on connecting the dots across initiatives by identifying patterns, surfacing insights, coordinating collaborators, and ensuring projects move from planning to high-quality execution.
In this role, you will help turn complex ideas, research, and partner feedback into clear strategies, actionable plans, and meaningful outcomes.
You will connect people and priorities across projects, bringing structure to work that spans multiple initiatives and partners.
Your ability to see the big picture while managing important details will help teams make informed decisions, strengthen programs, and continuously improve.
You will also help amplify the Friday Institute's work by creating clear, compelling materials and communications that demonstrate impact, support partnerships, and build momentum for future opportunities.
Program strategy and synthesis: conduct structured inquiry to understand needs across partners; synthesize research into insights and recommendations; translate strategy into workplans; identify gaps and alignment across initiatives.
Evidence and improvement: define indicators of progress; support evaluation; monitor policy and edtech developments.
Convenings, coordination, and communications: facilitate convenings; coordinate meetings and governance; prepare partner-ready materials.
Growth and resourcing: contribute to proposals; draft funder-facing reports; document activity; track funding pipeline.