WHO WE ARE

Trellis Company is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation focused on helping people leverage the power of post-secondary education and learning to improve their quality of life and the communities where they live.

For more than 40 years Trellis has served as a student loan guarantor, helping to provide trusted guidance and services that help student borrowers successfully repay their federal loans. In addition to pioneering several technologies and services along the way, we have invested in improving student success programs through numerous grants to colleges, universities, and research groups.

Today we have expanded our services beyond higher education to include working with employers and community organizations who are focused on aligning the dreams, goals, and skills needs of employees and employers. Connecting these resources and learning pathways together with our expertise in improving student outcomes helps us all to create better and more predictable futures for those we serve.

Our stability and vision create a unique intersection: a startup environment at a company that also has a stable foundation, resulting in an opportunity for the right candidate to help shape our company's future. This is an exciting time to join the Trellis team!

As we move into the future, we're drawing on our history, branching into new sectors beyond student loans, and delivering the same level of exceptional care and service that our customers have come to depend on. We remain invested in the success of students and higher education institutions. This combination of stability and vision creates a unique intersection: a startup environment at a company that also has a stable foundation, resulting in an opportunity for the right candidate to help shape our company's future. This is an exciting time to join the Trellis team!

LOCATION

This is a full-time remote position.

JOB SUMMARY

The Research Analyst II - Qualitative (Senior Research Associate) provides complex research and analysis on behalf of postsecondary and workforce organizations to improve postsecondary enrollment and success outcomes. Creates and manages qualitative products for a diverse set of clients and stakeholders. Leads client relations for multiple clients at a given time including delivering proposals, crafting scopes of work, creating and adhering to cost estimates, navigating IRBs, and implementing research. Provides clear communication to senior management at institutions of higher education and other clients. Consistently engages with external groups and works to raise Trellis' profile in relevant national conversations. Supervise other researchers on the team as needed to facilitate research projects. Provides deep insight on Trellis Strategies growth and performs project management and various administrative duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The position incumbent is expected to perform the following essential duties and responsibilities of the position with reasonable accommodation.

• Fully manage client relations for research projects including working cooperatively with the client on a shared scope of work, survey instruments, data requirements, communication templates, cost estimates, and research implementation including presenting findings to senior leadership and client executive.
• Provide feedback on strategic direction and growth to client leadership including senior administration at institutions of postsecondary education.
• Maintain clear and professional communication with members of client senior leadership.
• Manage teams necessary to complete complex and multi-faceted projects for clients. Engages in regular formal and informal management of team members.
• Act as a prudent data steward by ensuring compliance to all relevant data sharing policies, managing data securely, optimizing data processing, and clarifying data with clear documentation.
• Manage the cultivation of prospective clients including being involved in initial pitches, proposal development, and other relevant sales conversations.
• Responsible for designing and building scalable solutions for research products while bringing data to life through effective visualizations and storytelling, including presentations to external audiences.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to devise and implement solutions that advance Trellis' mission.
• Lead and manage standard research projects and staff for external and internal clients
• Adhere to internal project management principles.
• Draft and finalize reports; review, edit, and finalize reports of other team members.
• Proactively seek thought leadership and innovation to better position institutions and Trellis as leaders in postsecondary education and workforce.
• Participate in training and other learning opportunities to ensure compliance and expand knowledge of company, position, and process.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work under minimal supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Respond to internal and external customer requests for ad hoc reports.
• Contribute and coordinates small, informal research teams to carry out research objectives.
• Assist with special projects.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Must be available to work flexible hours.
• Support other functions and responsibilities of the department.
• Interact with all levels of management, as necessary.
• Contribute to the development of strategic initiatives.

COMPETENCIES

• Action Oriented
• Builds Effective Teams
• Business Insight
• Champion Change
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Compliance
• Consulting
• Cultivating Innovation
• Customer Focus
• Decision Quality
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness

• Directs Work
• Diversity Focused
• Drives Results
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Organizational Savvy
• Plans and Aligns
• Relationship management
• Resourcefulness
• Self-Development
• Situational Adaptability
• Strategic Mindset
• Tech Savvy

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to lead and direct the work of other team members, as needed.
• Strong research, editing, and writing skills.
• Intermediate- to expert-level SAS programming skills.
• Strong qualitative and /or quantitative analysis and project management abilities.
• Ability to use qualitative and quantitative analytical tools such as MAXQDA, SAS, and MS Excel at an advanced skill level.[LH1]
• Ability to execute survey projects and use survey tools such as Qualtrics and Alchemer.
• Ability to pursue and accomplish multiple analytical tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently, depending on project needs.
• Ability to be discreet/maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work under pressure and consistently meet deadlines.
• Ability to solve problems independently.
• Client/customer service and ability to communicate with non-research audiences.
• Ability to effectively develop Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.
• Strong written, oral, and non-verbal communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours with minimal notice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, social sciences, economics, statistics, public policy, or other related area.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in business administration, social sciences, economics, statistics, public policy, or other related area

Experience

Required:

• Four (4) years in research and analytics.
• Four (4) years of client relationship management.
• Four (4) years of social science research experience (i.e., managing projects; written analysis; table and graph creation; and verbal presentations to management). A master's degree in business administration, statistics, or social sciences may substitute for three years of experience with social science research.
• Experience with qualitative research, including focus groups, interviews, and surveys or experience with higher-level quantitative research such as multivariate analysis and predictive modeling.

Preferred:

• Experience supporting under-resourced institutions of higher education.
• Experience working in institutional research, enrollment management, student affairs, academic affairs, or student services.
• Experience working with sensitive student data.
• Experience in student success / retention initiatives.
• Experience with consulting or other client facing engagement work.
• Experience managing multiple large-scale research projects.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• Position is primarily sedentary. Must be able to sit in a stationary position for long periods of time; Occasionally must move about inside the office.
• Must be able to provide presentations and services to clients in a variety of business and work settings.
• Repetitive motion. Regularly operates a computer, phone, and general office equipment.
• Hearing and speaking. Regularly communicates with other employees and on the phone, virtually, or in person with clients. Regularly converse with internal and external contacts.
• Visual acuity. Regularly must have close visual acuity to view and enter information into computer and software systems, analyze data, develop presentations and reports, and other materials.
• Mental focus. Requires worker to maintain focus and exchange detailed and accurate information through oral and written communication.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work may be conducted remotely or in an office with a surrounding small cubicle environment.
• Office work environment is climate controlled with no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Base Salary: $78, 000.00 - $91, 597.00 per year (commensurate with experience)
• Corporate Annual Incentive: This position is eligible for a corporate annual incentive, subject to the discretion and approval of the Board of Directors and not guaranteed.
• Paid Holidays: 11 holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity or sexual orientation. We are also an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP.