Become Part of Our Team

The Research and Assessment team at Achieving the Dream plays a critical role in advancing a culture of evidence and driving data-informed decision-making across the organization. The team tracks ATD’s impact over time, evaluating the effectiveness of our existing services and providing results to inform decision making. The team also ensures that assessments being used by the program teams are aligned and implemented with fidelity. In some cases, the team also provides reports for Network colleges.  The team supports ATD learning events and at times contributes to data coaching for colleges with specific needs. While each member of the research and assessment team has areas of the work they are primarily responsible for, this is a highly collaborative team. All team members are expected to contribute to the team reaching goals and making deadlines.

The Data Visualization and Analytics Specialist plays a critical role in transforming Achieving the Dream’s (ATD) data systems into a modern, automated, and self-service analytics environment. This position will design, build, and maintain dynamic, interactive dashboards and reporting tools that make data more accessible and actionable for both internal teams and ATD Network colleges. This role will also help advance ATD’s use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications, to enhance analytics, automate insights, and make data visualizations more dynamic and adaptive over time.

Reporting to the Director of Data Science and Analytics, this position will focus on automating manual data processes—currently managed through static flat files, PDFs, and Excel workbooks—into interactive visualizations and dashboards using tools such as Tableau or Power BI.

The role also supports the design and development of ATD’s future data warehouse or data lakehouse, ensuring efficient data integration, automation, and scalability. Working closely with the IT department, this position will serve as a technical bridge between data infrastructure, applied research, and programmatic reporting needs across the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Data Visualization and Reporting:

• Design, build, and maintain interactive dashboards and reports in Tableau or Power BI, transforming static flat files and PDFs into dynamic, user-friendly tools.
• Convert and update existing reports and templates (e.g., Community Vibrancy workbook, Data Templates, Awards and Designations files, State of the Network Workbook, Annual reflection) into automated, interactive visualizations.
• Develop new visualization tools and dashboards to track institutional key performance indicators (KPIs) across ATD’s network.
• Ensure all dashboards follow consistent design standards, accessibility principles, and data governance guidelines.
• Collaborate with the Research and Assessment team to identify opportunities for data storytelling and enhanced communication of results.
• Develop clear documentation ensuring data governance procedures are followed.
• Integrate AI-enabled features and advanced analytics techniques to evolve ATD’s static data books and dashboards into dynamic, interactive decision-support tools.

Automation and Data Infrastructure:

• Automate existing manual reporting processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Partner with the Director of Data Science and Analytics and the IT department to support the design and development of ATD’s data warehouse, SQL data service, or data Lakehouse environment.
• Collaborate with ATD’s IT team to build sustainable data infrastructure that supports long-term research, assessment, and advanced analytics needs, including automation, AI model integration, and scalable reporting systems.
• Streamline data ingestion, transformation, and integration pipelines across multiple sources (internal databases, survey tools, flat files, etc.).
• Implement automation scripts and ETL processes to reduce redundant workflows and accelerate reporting cycles.
• Promote a self-service analytics model, empowering staff and partner institutions to independently access and interact with curated data dashboards and reports.

Collaboration and Capacity Building

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Research, Programs, Network, and External Affairs) to identify visualization and reporting needs.
• Translate analytical and programmatic requirements into intuitive visual dashboards that inform decision-making.
• Provide training and documentation to help staff and institutional partners use dashboards effectively.
• Ensure alignment between data visualization efforts and ATD’s broader research and data strategies.

Skills/Qualifications/Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, computer science, statistics, information systems, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 3–5 years of experience in data visualization, analytics engineering, or business intelligence development.
• Knowledge of IPEDS, National Student Clearinghouse reporting, Publicly Available Data such as ACS, PSEO, ALICE, etc.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools such as Tableau and/or Power BI.
• Strong programming and automation skills in SQL, Python, or R for data manipulation and integration.
• Experience with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning concepts, including predictive analytics, natural language processing, or automated insights tools, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data sets into clear, engaging, and actionable visual stories.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Experience with ETL pipelines, data modeling, and database design, with familiarity in modern data warehouse architectures (e.g., SQL Server, Snowflake, Databricks, or equivalent); experience with cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud – strongly preferred.
• Commitment to equity-minded, ethical, and inclusive data practices.

Job Overview

This position encompasses comprehensive lead and relationship management for all new and former leads, ensuring they receive personalized guidance and support throughout the service fulfillment process. The Associate Director oversees the receipt and filtering of leads and supports the guidance and college matching with ATD services. The Associate Director nurtures relationships with community colleges across the country. Through effective college engagement and insightful analysis, the position supports the matching of services that drive both internal success and college satisfaction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead Management (30%)  

• Receive and evaluate incoming sales leads to determine their potential and direct them appropriately. 
• Maintain and update customer relationship management (CRM) systems to ensure data accuracy and completeness as aligned with leads management role. 
• Develop and implement strategies to nurture leads through the sales funnel, increasing conversion rates.
• Monitor the progress of leads through the pipeline, providing regular updates and insights to the Services Management team and CSO. 
• In collaboration with program team members, guide leads to the appropriate ATD services based on their needs and student success goals in collaboration with ATD programs and coaching teams. 
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications office to develop and refine strategies that effectively nurture existing leads and attract and bring new leads into the pipeline.  
• Lead efforts with college relationship coordinators across the organization to support colleges to and through fulfillment of desired services.  

Relationships Stewardship (30%)   

• Develop and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key institutional stakeholders.  
• Maintain regular communication with institutions both as they enter the sales pipeline as new or returning leads, and when institutions convert to former institutions.  
• Acquire deep knowledge of institution decision-making processes. 
• Develop and implement strategies to keep colleges engaged even in the absence of service participation. 
• Stay with the college until they are ready to join or re-engage with the organization, ensuring a seamless transition. 
• Organize and/or attend events to maintain and enhance new and existing college relationships. 

College Engagement & Insight (20%)   

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of college organizational student success goals and strategic objectives. Develop reports demonstrating college needs and relevant background.  
• Regularly engage with college to gather insights, identify emerging needs, and anticipate future opportunities for collaboration. 
• Utilize data and feedback to assess college satisfaction and identify areas for improvement in service offerings and customer service efforts. 
• Leverage college insights to recommend and implement solutions that align with their specific goals and needs. 
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of ATD services and how they will meet college student success goals.
• Stay informed on trends, policies, and developments within higher education and the broader industry to ensure we are well-equipped to support and advise colleges effectively.
• Collaborate closely with the Marketing and Communications team to provide insights on higher education trends, college experiences, and industry-specific language that enhance targeted communications and outreach strategies.

General Operations (20%)   

• Manage role operations to ensure seamless workflow and productivity across teams impacting lead generation and college fulfillment including quote building, build and monitor Statements of Work and invoices when needed.  
• Support the development and execution of standard operating procedures aligned with Associate Director responsibilities.  
• Participate in staff meetings, attend events, and otherwise contribute to strengthening the impact of the team and organization.  
• Manage, train, and support College Relationship Coordinators. 
• Serve as the interface between College Relationship Managers and the Finance team to ensure the accuracy of college invoicing. 
• Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge of ATD program and services. 
• Collaborate with staff in supporting the execution of ATD’s strategic plan.  
• Manage the CRM system to maintain pipeline and reporting accuracy, including but not limited to updating unique records with relevant and timely information.
• Conduct thorough research and analysis to gather and report on key intelligence related to colleges, enabling data-driven recommendations on how best to meet their needs through our services. 

Skills/Qualifications/Experience:  

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five years related experience, preferably in membership management in the nonprofit association field.  
• Experience within a community college setting required. 
• Prior relationship building and customer service experience. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build rapport with higher education network participants and with coworkers. 
• Comfort with absorbing and interpreting large amounts of quantitative and qualitative data from different sources. 
• Ability to efficiently craft clear and concise actionable written summaries and supporting evidence for relationship managers. 
• Strong project management skills and experience managing multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Working knowledge of Salesforce, MS Office 365, MS Excel, and Tableau preferred. 

Job Overview:

The Research and Assessment team at Achieving the Dream plays a critical role in advancing a culture of evidence and driving data-informed decision-making across the organization. The team tracks ATD’s impact over time, evaluating the effectiveness of our existing services and providing results to inform decision making. The team also ensures that assessments being used by the program teams are aligned and implemented with fidelity. In some cases, the team also provides reports for Network colleges.  The team supports ATD learning events and at times contributes to data coaching for colleges with specific needs. While each member of the research and assessment team has areas of the work they are primarily responsible for, this is a highly collaborative team. All team members are expected to contribute to the team reaching goals and making deadlines.

The Director of Applied Research and Institutional Impact supports the Chief Data, Research, and Analytics Officer (CDRAO) in advancing Achieving the Dream’s (ATD) research, evaluation, and analytics agenda. This role translates strategic priorities into actionable research, evaluation, and data initiatives that strengthen institutional capacity, inform program design, and enhance ATD’s impact in the field.

Working under the strategic direction of the CDRAO, this position oversees applied research and analytics functions, manages project execution, and co-leads efforts to develop ATD’s new Data and Analytics Service Line—focused on advanced analytics, digital transformation, and data empowerment. The role reports to the Chief Data, Research, and Analytics Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Data and Analytics Service Line Development (35%)

• Co-lead the design and implementation of ATD’s Research-Centered Data and Analytics Service Line, leveraging mixed-methods research to assess institutional needs, develop tailored tools, and measure impact.
• Develop and maintain resource materials, training modules, and topic frameworks informed by literature reviews and environmental scans.
• Conduct competitive market analyses to identify untapped opportunities and areas of differentiation that best align with ATD’s mission, vision, and values.
• Engage with the coaching team leadership to generate/gather insights that inform the design, development, and inception of data services.
• Identify and curate research-based topics and emerging practices that strengthen the service line’s focus on advanced analytics, digital transformation, and data empowerment.
• Partner with the CDRAO and cross-functional teams to ensure the service line reflects the latest field insights, promotes institutional capacity building, and scales sustainably across the Network.
• Under the supervision of the CDRAO, work collaboratively with the coaching team and subject matter experts to develop and implement new curriculum and resources that strengthen institutional capacity for data empowerment and digital transformation.
• Collaborate with the coaching team to redesign coaching engagement report to gather insights from the field specifically to the new data service line services.
• Contribute to the design and content of ATD’s Annual Data and Analytics Summit, ensuring sessions reflect cutting-edge practices and evidence-based insights.

Strategic Leadership (20%)

• Partner with the CDRAO to implement ATD’s research and analytics strategy, ensuring alignment and coordination across projects and initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of ATD’s research agenda by identifying emerging trends, themes, and opportunities for influence in higher education policy and practice.
• Strengthen ATD’s internal research capacity to conduct high-quality, high-impact studies that inform institutional strategies and advance equitable student outcomes.
• Coordinate with internal teams (Programs, Network, and External Affairs) to embed research and data practices into program design, delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the CDRAO in identifying emerging research opportunities, field trends, and areas for institutional innovation.

Applied Research and Evaluation (20%)

• Co-lead the design and execution of impact and evaluation studies, supporting the CDRAO in assessing the effectiveness of ATD initiatives and institutional strategies.
• Support and guide the team in conducting longitudinal, cross-sectional, and comparative analyses to identify trends, verify data validity, and measure institutional outcomes.
• Collaborate with departments across ATD to develop evaluation frameworks, metrics, and data collection strategies for grants, partnerships, and organizational initiatives.
• Ensure methodological rigor, ethical standards, and data integrity across all research and evaluation projects.

Capacity Building and Institutional Support (10%)

• Partner with the CDRAO and internal teams to implement capacity-building initiatives that enhance data literacy, research fluency, and evaluation capability among ATD network colleges.
• Provide thought leadership and consultation to institutions seeking to strengthen data-informed decision-making and applied research capacity.
• Partner with internal teams to embed data and research practices into program design, delivery, and continuous improvement processes.

Knowledge Production and Dissemination (10%)

• Synthesize findings from research and analytics projects into actionable insights for internal and external audiences.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and knowledge products that elevate ATD’s visibility and influence in the field.
• Support the CDRAO in building and maintaining strong partnerships with key higher education organizations and research entities.

Project Management (5%)

• Manage project workflows, timelines, and deliverables to ensure the successful execution of research and analytics initiatives.
• Promote knowledge sharing, documentation, and evidence-based practices across the Research and Analytics division.

Skills/Qualifications/Experience: 

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in education, social sciences, public policy, data science, or a related discipline.
• 8–10 years of experience in applied research, institutional research, or program evaluation within higher education or related sectors.
• Demonstrated proficiency in mixed-methods research design, impact evaluation methodologies, and applied statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in statistical software such as SAS, Stata, or SPSS, with a strong understanding of data management and analytical modeling techniques.
• Experience operationalizing research agendas, developing data tools, and managing cross-functional projects.
• Exceptional ability to translate complex data and research findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate applied research experience that reflects a deep understanding of how evidence is used to drive institutional transformation and advance student success. Proven leadership in managing research or analytics teams and mentoring staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; publication and presentation experience preferred.

Overview

Achieving the Dream (ATD) helps colleges ensure all students—especially the most underserved—realize substantial value from their postsecondary experience, thereby strengthening their communities. We engage our network in whole-college transformation using a coaching model grounded in research, practice, and partnership. We accelerate innovation to improve equitable outcomes through data analysis, student-centered technology, and disciplined execution, all rooted in capacity-building for sustained success.

The Digital Transformation Technical Contractor will play a critical role in this effort by supporting colleges to strengthen their data infrastructure, build capacity for digital transformation, and enable the use of integrated systems to drive student success.

The Digital Transformation Technical Subject Matter Expert will help colleges strengthen data infrastructure, build capacity for digital transformation, and integrate systems that advance student success. This contractor will serve as part of an ATD coaching team that includes a leadership coach and a data coach and will collaborate closely with DataKind, ATD’s technical implementation partner for this effort. Together, they will help colleges align digital transformation, data governance, and student success strategies to achieve institutional goals.

Scope of services:

Technical Services 

Cultivate trust and understanding by translating complex technical requirements, data concepts, and system capabilities into clear, actionable guidance for college leaders and staff.

• Provide technical expertise to evaluate, design, and strengthen institutional data infrastructure, including integration of Student Information Systems (SIS), Learning Management Systems (LMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM)/early alert systems, and other student success technologies.
• Provide technical support in the creation, monitoring, and optimization of data pipelines, warehouses, and governance structures to ensure scalable, reliable, and secure access to data.
• Support data quality efforts through profiling, cleansing, deduplication, and validation of large datasets from multiple sources.
• Develop, or provide assistance in the development of, dashboards and reports that turn data into actionable insights, including descriptive, diagnostic, and predictive analytics.
• Advise on governance frameworks, ownership/stewardship roles, naming conventions, and access controls to ensure compliance with FERPA and other data privacy regulations.
• Troubleshoot technical and integration issues, working in collaboration with college IT teams and ATD partners to deliver timely, sustainable solutions.

Capacity Building and Coaching support 

Partner with colleges to build institutional capacity for digital transformation through inclusive coaching, professional learning, and leadership alignment.

• Guide digital transformation strategies aligned with institutional priorities and student success goals.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to connect technology with equity-minded practices.
• Deliver training to strengthen data governance, literacy, and digital proficiency.
• Help colleges assess readiness, adoption capacity, and leadership commitment to transformation.
• Identify how data is collected, stored, and used to inform user-centered strategies.
• Align institutional efforts to advance outcomes in access, retention, progression, completion, and social mobility.
• Collaborate with ATD colleagues and partners to integrate systems and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Model active listening, collaborative problem-solving, and constructive feedback that moves leaders from dialogue to action..
• Stay current with emerging trends in educational technology, student-centered design, privacy, and accessibility standards; champion innovation and adaptability and respond proactively to evolving institutional needs.

Candidate Profile 

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong communication and coaching skills, comfortable discussing databases with IT teams and translating insights into strategy for senior leaders.

Qualifications/Skills/ Experiences:

Core Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, data science, or related field.
• Experience with higher education systems (e.g., Banner, Peoplesoft, Jenzabar, Workday).
• Strong SQL skills and data quality improvement experience.
• Knowledge of FERPA, privacy regulations, and higher ed record structures.
• Experience with cloud-based solutions (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Understanding of governance frameworks, stewardship roles, and security controls.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in information systems, data science, or related field.
• Certifications in cloud services, SQL, or data governance.
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications for higher education analytics.
• Success leading digital transformation or capacity-building initiatives.

Professional Competencies:

Successful candidates will blend technical acumen with strong facilitation and communication skills, ensuring transformation strategies are both technically sound and actionable.

• Technical fluency: Diagnose infrastructure challenges and recommend secure, scalable, and interoperable solutions.
• Analytical mindset: Identify data or system performance issues and develop efficient, innovative solutions.
• Equity-minded coaching: Partner with institutional leaders to foster inclusive, data-informed decision-making.
• Communication and storytelling: Translate complex technical concepts into accessible, compelling narratives that inspire action.
• Change leadership: Guide institutions through transformation by aligning people, processes, and technologies.
• Collaboration: Work effectively across teams and with vendors to support cohesive, institution-wide change.
• Adaptability: Stay current with technologies, privacy standards, and equity-centered practices.