ORGANIZATION

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We believe that our future and our democracy depend on our ability to solve big problems—and that we need an effective federal government to do so. For more than 20 years, we have helped make this vision a reality, helping our government—the public institution most fundamental to our democracy—address current and future challenges.

Our staff is diverse in experience and perspective, but at our core, we share a lot of the same traits: we are mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive.

Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:

Passion for public service and our work toward a more effective government
People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect
Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results
Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Partnership for Public Service is seeking an experienced professional to manage research projects in support of the organization’s strategic plan. Responsibilities of the position include project scoping and research design; budget development and monitoring; team leadership; data collection and analysis; and the development and presentation of written research products. Relationship management is central to the position, and the incumbent will facilitate productive collaborations across the Partnership and with external stakeholders, including research contributors, government officials and project funders. The incumbent also may mentor junior colleagues and may supervise one or more direct reports.

This position is ideal for someone with a passion for public service who has project management experience as well as a strong background conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research and translating research findings into compelling narratives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage projects within the Partnership’s research portfolio, addressing questions about the federal workforce, federal leadership, society’s engagement with and commitment to government, or other priorities of the organization. Project management responsibilities include:
Helping to conceive of research projects and develop proposals seeking corporate and/or foundation funding for them
Determining research goals, questions and methodologies
Scoping projects and establishing work plans and timelines
Developing and monitoring project budgets
Leading and participating in diverse project teams that generally include private-sector or foundation partners
Managing collaborative relationships with Partnership colleagues and leaders as well as with project funders, research contributors such as interviewees, and other external stakeholders
Facilitating focus groups and research-related convenings, such as workshops and roundtable discussions
Meeting project deadlines and monitoring and mitigating project risks accordingly.
Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data—through interviews, focus groups, workshops, surveys and other research methodologies—to surface key insights and to develop recommendations that help achieve the Partnership’s research goals, which include:
Clearly defining and elevating what it means to build a better government
Assessing the capacity and progress of government against clear benchmarks and performance measures
Empowering federal leaders to make better data-driven decisions and improve organizational performance
Telling stories that strengthen both public accountability of and trust in government
Identifying trends that will shape future opportunities, risks, and challenges in the public sector.
Translate research findings and recommendations into action by writing clear and compelling research products (of varying length, complexity and style) accessible to technical and non-technical audiences in government, the media, academia and the non- and for-profit sectors.
Publicize research findings and recommendations:
In the media, through social media and to key government stakeholders, in collaboration with other Partnership teams
Through in-person or online presentations to various audiences, including Partnership colleagues and leaders, federal executives, peer organizations, and academic and/or trade-group conferences.
Integrate research findings, in collaboration with other Partnership teams, into other Partnership publications and programming, such as policy statements, legislative briefings, advocacy messages and leadership training.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to translate ideas and insights into practical projects, leading to research products that are highly relevant to senior government executives, members of Congress, and the general reader.
Excellent data analysis skills and potential for competency in data visualization.
Organizational skills required to successfully plan, track and complete projects from initial conceptualization to the timely delivery of high-quality deliverables.
Demonstrated ability to create and edit written products, presentations, or data visualizations with a focus on relevance, precision of language, analytic integrity, effective organization, meaningful insights and compelling narrative.
Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including investment in lifting up diverse voices.
Ability to build and manage relationships with federal employees, subject matter experts and internal stakeholders to ensure the successful design and implementation of projects.
Strong communication and facilitation skills.
With minimal supervision, ability to lead and to work effectively as part of a team across the larger enterprise, sharing information and collaborating to solve problems.
Adept at working in a fast-paced and high-energy environment.    
Demonstrated passion for and commitment to public service.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent professional work or military experience is required.    
Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, economics, social science, political science or a related field is preferred. 
Approximately five to seven years of professional work experience writing high-quality narratives activating qualitative and/or quantitative research is required. Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research related to the federal government and an understanding of federal executive branch operations is preferred.
Demonstrated project management experience (leading small to medium projects, supporting larger efforts), including coordinating a team, is required.
Experience with or interest in working with strategic foresight or other methodologies of futures thinking is preferred.
Proficiency in Excel and/or other data analysis platforms is required (SPSS or R).
Experience working with data visualization, including using PowerBI and Tableau, is preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position will report to a senior manager or director and may have supervisory responsibilities outside projects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC, and requires the candidate to be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, two days per week. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.

In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, demonstration of our values and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Our performance review process runs the calendar year; we conduct a performance check-in at mid-year and complete a formal full-year assessment at year end. Salary increases are based on the full-year performance assessment.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time, exempt position with regular work hours Monday-Friday. Occasional evening or weekend activities may be required. Please note that the Partnership allows flexibility in work schedules.

TRAVEL

If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day. Some out of the area and/or overnight travel may occasionally be required.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

The Partnership is an inclusive organization that fosters learning, collaboration and respect. We actively recruit for diversity in our workplace, believing that a range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences contributes to our mission of revitalizing government. The Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.

Partnership for Public Service

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