Associate, Research and Advocacy

About Whiteboard Advisors

Whiteboard Advisors is a mission-focused research, communications, and strategy firm dedicated to advancing educational opportunity and economic mobility. Our clients include leading companies, nonprofits, and social impact investors operating at the nexus of education and workforce policy and practice.

Role Overview

We seek a motivated and entrepreneurial Associate to bolster our research and advocacy efforts. This role involves managing a client portfolio of approximately 5-7 accounts, delivering superior project management, research, analytical support, and attentive client service. This position includes drafting and refining various written materials such as research reports, white papers, legislative summaries, press releases, and blog posts, all aligned with our standards of excellence. Collaboration with communications and public relations teams to meet client goals and maximize impact is essential. Associates will gain significant interaction with client executives and opportunities for growth by working closely with senior leadership to understand client needs and respond effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and implement client projects following strategies co-developed with senior managers.
• Support the research, advocacy, communications, and PR teams to fulfill client objectives.
• Coordinate routine client interactions, prepare agendas, produce client documents, and assure timely follow-up communications.
• Analyze public data and produce client-facing presentations and briefing materials.
• Embrace a continuous learning approach and willingly accept and offer constructive feedback.
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail to create deliverables that surpass expectations.
• Work efficiently and smartly within a fast-moving environment.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

• Possess between 1 to 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrate strong project management capabilities, able to juggle multiple tasks effectively.
• Show interest in and foundational understanding of education policy and national issues.
• Exhibit excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Have experience handling scheduling and administrative duties.
• Be eager to learn new tools such as data analysis or survey development software and develop expertise in relevant subjects.
• Background in education, workforce development, or social impact sectors is preferred.

Note: Recognizing that women and BIPOC candidates might hesitate to apply unless meeting all qualifications, we encourage any individual confident in their ability to succeed in this role to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

• The base salary range is approximately $60,000 to $70,000 annually, dependent on experience, skills, job knowledge, and location variations.
• Whiteboard Advisors offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 401(k) plan with employer match, fully paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees, partial dependent premium coverage, company-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible vacation policy and extensive paid time off including over 20 annual holidays.
• Monthly phone/data reimbursements, pre-tax commuter benefits, a wellness stipend, and professional association fee reimbursements with approval.

The salary offer also considers internal equity and provides growth opportunities beyond starting pay. Professional development and career progression are actively supported by senior leadership.