Project Planner I

Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management fall conference.; Durham, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University’s Center for Child and Family Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy seeks a project manager/research analyst to support policy and program work on family economic security and cash assistance from prenatal through early childhood.

You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, manage timelines, engage stakeholders, and help prepare reports and grant materials, contributing to policy-relevant research and dissemination.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience conducting research, policy analysis, program evaluation, or related work.
• Experience working with quantitative and/or qualitative data.

Responsibilities

• Research, policy analysis & data collection to support projects.
• Coordinate and manage project timelines, meetings, and communications.
• Engage stakeholders and partners across state and local levels.
• Assist with grants, reports, and dissemination of findings.
• Synthesize complex research for varied audiences.

Skills

Project management

Written and verbal communication

Research experience

Policy analysis

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Sociology, Social Work, Public Health, Education Policy, or related field

Tools

R

Stata

Job description

Salary: $62,932.00 - $102,490.00 Annually

Application Deadline: N/A

About the Position

The Center for Child and Family Policy (CCFP) at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy is seeking a project manager/research analyst to support a portfolio of program, research, and policy activities focused on economic and cash support for families in North Carolina and across the United States during the prenatal through early childhood period.

Who You’ll Work With

You will be a member of a multi- and interdisciplinary collaborative team spanning the North Carolina Maternal and Early Childhood Health Initiative, CCFP at Duke Sanford, and the Duke-Margolis Institute. You will work closely with faculty leaders, research staff, funders, government partners, philanthropic and community organizations, and state and local collaborators across North Carolina. The role offers direct exposure to research and policy work focused on strengthening family economic security and improving outcomes for young children and their families.

Be Bold.

This role is designed for an early-career professional who wants to build experience managing complex policy and research projects while strengthening skills in analysis, writing, stakeholder engagement, and research dissemination. It is an opportunity to work at the intersection of research, policy, and program implementation and to contribute to work with practical implications for families and communities.

What You'll Do

Research, Policy Analysis & Data — 40%

• Conduct background research and literature reviews on economic, cash assistance, income support, and related policies affecting children and families.
• Compile, organize, clean, and analyze quantitative and/or qualitative data to support ongoing research and policy projects.
• Gather and synthesize detailed information on access to, availability of, and implementation of safety-net and related economic benefits for eligible families in North Carolina, including avenues through Medicaid.
• Contribute to the interpretation and synthesis of research and policy findings for project activities and products.

Project Management & Coordination — 30%

• Coordinate and support projects across the Maternal and Early Childhood Initiative and related research and policy portfolio.
• Manage project timelines, activities, materials, meetings, follow-up items, and communications.
• Coordinate activities among faculty, research staff, funders, and external collaborators.
• Provide research, project coordination, and related administrative support across the portfolio as needed.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement — 20%

• Build and maintain productive relationships with research, policy, government, philanthropic, and community partners.
• Coordinate engagement with state and local collaborators in North Carolina.
• Incorporate partner and stakeholder input into project planning and activities.
• Support communication and collaboration across interdisciplinary teams and external partners.

Writing, Grants & Dissemination — 10%

• Assist with the preparation and coordination of grant-related materials and funder deliverables.
• Contribute to research reports, policy products, presentations, and other written materials.
• Support dissemination of research and policy findings to appropriate audiences.
• Help synthesize complex research and policy information for different audiences.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience conducting research, policy analysis, program evaluation, or related work.
• Experience working with quantitative and/or qualitative data.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate findings effectively to varied audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated interest in policies and programs affecting children and families.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Sociology, Social Work, Public Health, Education Policy, Social Policy, or a related field.
• Additional training or certification in Project Management.
• Familiarity with the U.S. safety net, cash assistance programs, family economic security policies, and early childhood policy.
• Experience using statistical or data-analysis software such as R, Stata, or similar platforms.
• Experience developing research reports, policy briefs, publications, or other written products.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects involving multiple organizations and stakeholders.
• Experience supporting grant-funded research or policy initiatives.

Additional Information

This position is intended for early-career professionals seeking experience at the intersection of research, policy, and implementation. It is not designed as a pre-doctoral training position.

Why Duke?

At Duke University, you'll find more than a job. You'll find a purpose-driven community committed to improving lives through education, research, and service. You'll work alongside nationally recognized scholars and practitioners while contributing to initiatives that impact families and communities at the local, state, and national levels.

Whether you're analyzing data, coordinating projects, engaging stakeholders, or helping communicate new insights, your contributions will help shape evidence-based policy and practice.

Choose Duke.

• Join a world-renowned research institution.
• Collaborate with leading experts in public policy, child and family well-being, and health.
• Build valuable experience across research, policy, implementation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Contribute to work that improves outcomes for children and families.
• Grow your career in an environment that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusion.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $62,932.00 to USD $102,490.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).