Current Openings

About the Role
ResearchEd is a small, mission-driven nonprofit seeking a Senior Operations Associate to support and strengthen core operational systems, compliance processes, and organizational infrastructure. This role is ideal for someone who thrives behind the scenes, enjoys building and improving systems, and brings experience in nonprofit operations. The Senior Associate will play a key role in enabling the organization to operate effectively and sustainably as it grows.
 

You might be a great fit if you:

• Have experience supporting nonprofit operations, compliance, or legal processes

• Enjoy working within and improving systems to track deadlines, filings, and documentation

• Are detail-oriented and take pride in accuracy and follow-through

• Are proactive and comfortable navigating ambiguity without guidance

• Are comfortable handling sensitive financial and legal information

• Are proficient with core operational tools such as Google Workspace, Asana, Slack, and Zoom.

 

Key Responsibilities
Compliance & Financial Operations

• Support management of organizational compliance requirements, including state registrations, filings, and key deadlines

• Assist with IRS Form 990 preparation and related compliance processes

• Maintain centralized records of contracts, filings, and governance documentation

• Support contract development, tracking, and execution processes

• Coordinate with external partners (e.g., accountants, legal counsel) as needed

• Track invoices and support budget tracking and financial documentation processes

 

Operations Systems & Organizational Infrastructure

• Support the development and maintenance of internal systems that enable day-to-day operations and team effectiveness

• Help document and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) across operational areas

• Manage vendor relationships, procurement processes, and business accounts (e.g., travel, lodging platforms)

• Ensure internal systems (e.g., shared drives, trackers) are organized, up to date, and accessible

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and support implementation of process improvements

 

Administrative & Team Support

• Coordinate internal and external meetings, including scheduling and logistics

• Provide light calendar and inbox support to members of the leadership team

• Capture and share key notes, decisions, and action items to support team alignment

• Manage team travel logistics, including booking, troubleshooting, and reimbursements

• Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in operations, administration, legal support, or related field

• Experience in legal support, contract management, nonprofit compliance, or paralegal work strongly preferred

• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently

• Comfort with financial tracking and compliance-related documentation

• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive), Asana, Slack, and Zoom, with demonstrated ability to use these tools to manage workflows, documentation, and team coordination

• Discretion and ability to handle confidential information

 

Working Conditions

• This position is based in Washington, D.C. and requires in-office working hours (2-3 days in person; ability to work remotely on remaining days)

• Ability to travel on occasion to conferences and meetings

 

Benefits

• Generous health and dental insurance plan

• Employer HSA contributions

• Pre-tax commuter benefits 

• Stipend for remote work expenses and office supplies

• Liberal PTO and wellness leave

• Flexible hybrid work opportunities

• Opportunities for professional development

• To ensure the team has opportunity for rest the office is closed the last week of the year

•  Access to office gym including free fitness classes and sauna

 

About ResearchEd
ResearchEd is an education policy research group providing objective data analysis, deep insights, and detailed recommendations for postsecondary institutions and research organizations seeking to support equitable student outcomes. ResearchEd’s mission is to conduct work that is student-centered, informed by the experiences of today’s students, particularly those who have been underserved by our education system, and to support these students in getting to and through college. To realize this goal, ResearchEd conducts and publishes research, provides technical assistance, and acts as a liaison between students, education institutions, and policymakers through advocacy and communications work. ResearchEd has expertise in report development, data visualization, building data infrastructure, technical assistance, and working with a variety of public and proprietary student data sources. To learn more visit: www.research-ed.org. 
ResearchEd is an equal-opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and reproductive status), national origin, ability, age, genetic background, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws. 
Our goal is to hire the most suitable candidate for this position, and we recognize that such a candidate  may be someone with a less traditional path. Our focus is on finding the best person for  the job, regardless of whether your experience matches perfectly with  our listed criteria.  
 

Anticipated Hiring Timeline
We will review applications on a rolling basis through May 31, 2026. Interviews are expected in June and July, with an anticipated start date in late August.
 

To Apply: 
Interested candidates should submit the following to admin@research-ed.org by May 31st, 2026 for consideration: 

1. Resume 

2. Short-answer responses to the following questions (please limit responses to 1 page)

a. Describe a process, system, or workflow you created or improved. Include:

• The problem or gap

• What you built or changed

• How you approached it

• Tradeoffs or challenges

• The outcome or impact

• What you would improve next time or lessons learned

b. Describe your experience managing compliance, legal, or administrative processes (e.g., filings, contracts, reporting, governance documentation). What types of work have you handled, and how have you approached ensuring accuracy and timeliness?

    3. Cover letter: Only candidates who wish to explain something in their resume or expand on experience not fully captured by their resume may submit a cover letter. 

AI Policy:
While we value and encourage appropriate use of AI in certain contexts, we discourage you from using AI in your response to these questions. While setting up productive AI workflows may be a skillset in this position, for this activity our focus is to understand your independent reasoning skills. If you do choose to use AI for any component of your response, please submit the relevant AI conversation log(s) as well. AI usage includes the use of large language models (LLMs) for ideation, creation (written or analytical), or refinement of your response. The primary purpose of the conversation log is for us to understand how you seek AI assistance and for which tasks. In the next phase of the application process, you will be asked follow-up questions about these responses, and so it is important that they are an accurate reflection of your own work and experience. Any applications found to have used AI without appropriate documentation will not be considered.