Senior Analyst (TLF)

The Lemelson Foundation; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lemelson Foundation in Portland, Oregon seeks a Senior Analyst to strengthen learning, evidence, and knowledge management across programs. You will collect data, distill insights, and share findings with staff, the board, and external partners to inform strategy and impact.

You are a skilled analyst with at least five years of professional experience, familiar with research, data mining, and cross‑sector collaboration, capable of turning complexity into clear narratives.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional experience in research and data analysis.
• Experience collecting evidence and distilling insights for decision making.
• Ability to learn quickly and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Learn from work to understand impact and inform strategy.
• Support board and advisory committee with progress updates and insights.
• Document the case for priorities with thought leaders and external influencers.

Skills

Data analysis

Research

Stakeholder communication

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (asset)

Tools

Information management systems

Job description

The Lemelson Foundation uses the power of invention to improve lives.

The Lemelson Foundation is a private family foundation based in Portland, Oregon, with a unique focus on improving lives through invention. Established by prolific US inventor Jerome Lemelson and his wife Dorothy in the early 1990s, and guided today by the Lemelson family, The Lemelson Foundation has investment assets of around $360 million and an annual budget of approximately $18 million. All told, the Foundation has provided over $210 million in grants and other investments to hundreds of organizations around the world.

We believe that invention is essential for creating the future we all want. We support Impact Invention, focusing on inventions that have positive social impact, are environmentally responsible, and can become financially self-sustaining products and businesses. We aspire to strengthen the invention ecosystem and empower inventors to solve the biggest local, regional, and global challenges and opportunities of our time, whether it’s ensuring equal access to a healthy life, providing clean water and sanitation, developing clean energy alternatives and cost-effective medical devices, rethinking how the world grows, shares and consumes its food, or building a strong and stable economy. We work to create a pathway for invention by inspiring and educating the next generation of inventors, and cultivating the entrepreneurial environments needed to support invention-based businesses. The ultimate goal of our programs is to build a more resilient economy in the US and address the needs of the poor in developing countries.

The Senior Analyst is a newly created position developed to enhance our internal capacity to identify, capture, analyze, and effectively manage and use data, evidence and stories to support three key objectives:

• Learning from our work to understand impact and inform strategy;
• Sharing our progress and understanding with the Board and Advisory Committee; and,
• Documenting the case for our priorities with key thought leaders and influencers more broadly.

This work draws deeply on the knowledge and relationships of the Program Officers, the strategic guidance of the Communications Officer and activities of external communications consultants, and the overarching guidance and facilitation of the Leadership Team (Executive Director, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, and the Senior Director of Strategy). The Senior Analyst will report to the Senior Director of Strategy.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Senior Analyst is personally and intellectually drawn to The Lemelson Foundation’s mission and is motivated by the opportunity to work across the Foundation as a champion of shared learning, insights, and knowledge management. The ideal candidate will share with every Foundation employee a deep personal connection to our work and embrace our commitment to positive social change, economic growth, and environmental responsibility. The Senior Analyst has a passion for and curiosity about the topics of interest to the Foundation and the ability to quickly learn about those topics. We seek individuals who are driven to contribute and bring positive energy to influence our culture of inquiry, learning, and collaboration.

A naturally inquisitive, lifelong learner, the Senior Analyst is energized by building knowledge across a broad range of priority issues. The ideal candidate is wired to identify key points and supportive evidence, spot compelling stories, and quickly see connections, opportunities, and intersections. Their innate interest in this work fuels a proactive and forward-looking approach, following trends, anticipating changes, and potential impacts. Strong listening and synthesizing skills are essential, along with the ability and desire to capture, distill, and share what is important, why it matters, and how it relates to our work.

The Senior Analyst is an excellent communicator with heightened analytical skills and an innate understanding of the importance of data integrity. The ideal candidate is a born organizer and lover of data, systems, and tools. We expect a high degree of self-awareness and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with multiple and competing demands.

An upbeat bridge-builder, the successful candidate must foster a positive, professional atmosphere and develop trusting relationships with Foundation staff and board. With strong interpersonal skills and an approachable style, the Senior Analyst is a collaborative team player, effective communicator, and empathetic listener who can influence our learning and impact.

A minimum of five years professional experience is required for consideration. Significant experience with research and evidence collection coupled with excellent analytical and data mining skills are essential. Candidates who exhibit deep intellectual curiosity and a strong willingness to learn and further develop their knowledge and expertise in the areas where the Foundation works are well suited for the position.

Familiarity with or experience in the fields of invention, education, entrepreneurship, and/or global development is beneficial. Multi-sector experience across cultures and countries is valuable, as is experience in philanthropy, policy, or management consulting. Knowledge of information management systems and programs, experience using such systems, and demonstrated ability to learn quickly is critical. A Bachelor’s degree is required and a Master’s degree or work experience in a related field of study such as International Development, Data Science, or Public Policy is an asset.

The Lemelson Foundation is committed to diversity and creating and supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff to thrive. We promote mutual respect and appreciation, recognizing that the diversity of people’s backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences enriches our success and furthers our impact.