Research Associate, Strategy and Impact

Research Associate, Strategy and Impact

Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with education and experience ($72,000 - $76,000)

Monday
- Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Raleigh-based position with an on-site presence approximately four days per week with flexibility based on program needs, meetings, and events.

Department Friday Institute

The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation is a large, multi-faceted Institute housed in a 33,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility on NC State University’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh. Our work encompasses educational research, professional development, policy and program evaluation, and direct services to schools, districts, state departments of education and public- and private sector organizations. We are deeply involved in work in throughout North Carolina, leading some of the major statewide K-12 education initiatives and working closely with the Department of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, and the majority of school districts in the State on the transition to digital teaching and learning.

Since opening in 2005, the Friday Institute has developed a strong national presence, working with organizations throughout the country, and is increasingly developing international connections. More information is available at http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer:
Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

The Research Associate will report to the Executive Director of the Friday Institute and will provide direct support to coordinate across initiatives, communicate clearly with internal and external partners, and maintain shared visibility into priorities, progress, and decisions. A core function of this role is extending reach—helping to author, package, publish, and report on its work so that high-quality ideas and programming become usable artifacts, visible impact, and sustained momentum with partners and funders.

The primary work centers on connecting the dots across initiatives by identifying patterns, surfacing insights, coordinating collaborators, and ensuring projects move from planning to high-quality execution.

In this role, you will help turn complex ideas, research, and partner feedback into clear strategies, actionable plans, and meaningful outcomes. You will connect people and priorities across projects, bringing structure to work that spans multiple initiatives and partners. Your ability to see the big picture while managing important details will help teams make informed decisions, strengthen programs, and continuously improve.

You will also help amplify the Friday Institute’s work by creating clear, compelling materials and communications that demonstrate impact, support partnerships, and build momentum for future opportunities.

• Conduct structured inquiry (interviews, listening sessions, document review) to understand needs, constraints, and opportunities across partners and initiatives.
• Synthesize research, practitioner feedback, and implementation data into clear insights, recommendations, and decision points for project teams and leadership.
• Translate strategy into actionable workplans (milestones, dependencies, risks, resourcing) and maintain visibility across the portfolio.
• Identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for alignment across initiatives; propose pragmatic ways to streamline and strengthen the portfolio.

• Define and track meaningful indicators of progress (implementation readiness,…