Policy & Data Project Associate - Operations & Impact

Mathematica, Inc.; Washington (IL); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Employee-owned ESOP

Coworking spaces where available

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Mathematica, Inc. is seeking entry-level Project Associates with a strong interest in managing federal or foundation-funded human services programs and policies.

You will assist in project operations, data management, budgeting, risk mitigation, and coordination across multiple projects and clients. Ideal candidates have exposure to TANF, economic mobility, early childhood, family strengthening, child welfare, or related topics, and can work in a collaborative, detail-oriented environment that

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public policy, public health, education, economics, or a related field with an excellent academic record.
• 1-3 years’ experience related to business analysis, government program operations, consulting, research, data analysis, or other relevant employment.
• Interest in project management and/or evaluating government programs for quality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and technological innovation.
• Experience with, or interest and aptitude in learning, Microsoft software, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Project.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and work in a multi-disciplinary team setting.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities, and work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of projects by developing and tracking components of project operations, including schedules, finances, and logistics.
• Execute all project management activities, including building project schedules, supporting project budget tracking, scheduling meetings, creating meeting agendas and materials, tracking deliverables, and taking notes.
• Evaluate operational components of projects and programs and outline risks, options, and solutions for action by senior staff members or client agencies.
• Ensure project adherence to data privacy and security requirements and other contractual stipulations.
• Communicate effectively with key stakeholders such as technical project staff, researchers, internal business departments, external consultants, subcontractors, and client representatives to successfully execute project work.
• Record, monitor, and analyze project expenditures. Related work includes monitoring subcontractor expenses and invoicing, conducting cost analyses, and forecasting project costs.
• Research and evaluation activities may include: assisting with interview scheduling, note-taking, and other qualitative data collection activities such as interviews, site visits, and focus groups; supporting administration and oversight of survey and data collection tasks, including preparing training materials, delivering training, and performing quality control activities; and/or providing logistical and operational support for evaluations, including coordinating trainings, webinars, and expert meetings.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Microsoft Project

Confluence

Jira

Job description

About Mathematica:

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development.

Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company’s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength.

Read more about our benefits here:Benefits at a Glance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

We have openings for entry-level Project Associates with astrong interest in managing federal or foundation-funded human services programsand policies. Project Associates assistin all areas of project operations, including resource and schedule management,cost and budget management, risk mitigation, and coordination. ProjectAssociates contribute to the efficient and successful operations of projects,both internal and external, by drawing on problem-solving abilities,interpersonal skills, organizational aptitude, and policy content knowledge. ProjectAssociates work closely with project directors and task leaders to meet projectobjectives while remaining on schedule and on budget. Occasionally, ProjectAssociates may also engage in research activities, such as conductinginterviews with program respondents and performing literature reviews.

We are looking for individuals who can support current andemerging work across a range of topics, including TANF, economic mobility earlychildhood, family strengthening, child welfare, and related topics. Candidatesdo not need experience in all these areas but should have some academic orprofessional familiarity in at least one. We encourage candidates who enjoyworking in a collaborative environment that emphasizes quality, rigor, andcritical thinking to apply.

Project Associates work across multiple policy areas andtasks, on multiple projects at a time in roles requiring team coordination andoccasionally direct interactions with our clients. Project team placement willalign with candidate experience and business needs.

Across all projects, Project Associates are expected toperform a combination of the following tasks:

• Managea portfolio of projects by developing and tracking components of projectoperations, including schedules, finances, and logistics
• Executeall project management activities, including building project schedules,supporting project budget tracking, scheduling meetings, creating meeting agendasand materials, tracking deliverables, and taking notes
• Evaluateoperational components of projects and programs and outline risks,options, and solutions for action by senior staff members or clientagencies
• Ensureproject adherence to data privacy and security requirements and othercontractual stipulations
• Communicateeffectively with key stakeholders such as technical project staff,researchers, internal business departments, external consultants,subcontractors, and client representatives to successfully execute projectwork
• Record, monitor, and analyze project expenditures. Related work includes monitoring subcontractor expenses and invoicing, conducting cost analyses, and forecasting project costs
• Researchand evaluation activities may include: assisting with interviewscheduling, note-taking, and other qualitative data collection activitiessuch as interviews, site visits, and focus groups; supportingadministration and oversight of survey and data collection tasks,including preparing training materials, delivering training, andperforming quality control activities; and/or providing logistical andoperational support for evaluations, including coordinating trainings,webinars, and expert meetings

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public policy, public health, education, economics, or a related field with an excellent academic record.
• 1-3 years’ experience related to business analysis, government program operations, consulting, research, data analysis, or other relevant employment.
• Interest in project management and/or evaluating government programs for quality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and technological innovation.
• Experience with, or interest and aptitude in learning, Microsoft software, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Project.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and work in a multi-disciplinary team setting.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities, and work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Experience with project management or collaboration tools such as Microsoft Project, Confluence, SharePoint, or Jira.
• Experience using AI tools and other technology to manage workflows.
• Knowledge of research, evaluation, or data collection methods.

This position offers an anticipated base salary of $57,000 - $65,000 annually.

Application Instructions:

Please submit a cover letter and your resume along with a work product that reflects independent analysis and writing, such as a capstone project or an analytic report.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

At Mathematica, we understand the importance of building relationships with colleagues. If you’re not located near one of our offices but would like opportunities to meet up with co-workers, we offer coworking spaces where available. Ask your Talent Acquisition partner for more information about this opportunity and whether it’s an option in your area.

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon passing a background check. Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance. Additionally, if you participate in or complete the application process and are denied, Mathematica may choose to terminate your employment.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work.