Associate, Data Insights and Policy Analysis

About the Role

The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization representing nearly 1,700 college and university presidents and executives. The newly formed Data Insights and Policy Analysis (DIPA) group is dedicated to producing timely, relevant, and actionable insights that inform public policy and research. This is a two-year, term-limited position designed for individuals with an academic or professional interest in public policy, finance, higher education, economics, data science, management/management consulting, or related fields. Associates will receive professional development and mentorship from DIPA staff, with opportunities to rotate across different projects to build transferable experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft and prepare policy briefs, data visualizations, implementation guides, internal memos, and stakeholder-facing talking points.
• Translate scholarly and evidence-based research into actionable recommendations for practitioner audiences.
• Conduct literature reviews, landscape scans, environmental scans, background research, and secondary data analysis.
• Assist with data collection, cleaning, analysis activities, and survey design.
• Contribute to the development of data products, dashboards, and interactive tools.
• Contribute to analytical support of other business units within ACE.
• Support quality assurance processes for research outputs and data products.
• Perform other duties as needed to advance DIPA's strategic objectives.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public policy, social sciences, data science, education, statistics, or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work with data in spreadsheet formats.
• Experience with statistical software (e.g., Stata, R, or similar tools) is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, accurate work.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work both independently and as part of cross-functional teams.

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC.
• Staff work on-site at ACE's One Dupont Circle NW office three days per week (Tuesday through Thursday).
• Remote work is available on Mondays and Fridays.

Salary

• $64,000

Application Deadline

• Applications will be accepted through November 2, 2026.
• Early applications are encouraged.