Research Operations and Strategic Delivery Manager

By joining the National Student Clearinghouse, you can be sure that the work you do now will help shape the future of education and the workforce in the U.S. As the trusted source for higher education data since 1993, the Clearinghouse is the leading provider of transcript and data exchange services, automated enrollment and degree verifications, learner insights and research, and compliance solutions for schools, businesses, and learners nationwide. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Clearinghouse works with nearly 3,600 postsecondary institutions to meet their compliance needs and with thousands of high schools and districts to provide continuing collegiate enrollment, progression, and completion statistics about their alumni. In addition, the Research Center publications inform policymakers and business leaders about student educational pathways. Using our unique combination of data, analytics, and software to drive our mission, security and privacy is paramount. Join us as we continue to invest in our talent and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data on behalf of all learners.

About the Role:

The Manager, Research Operations & Strategic Delivery oversees the operational management and execution of the Custom Research and Strategic Research Partnerships portfolio, supporting research project delivery, analyst development, resource planning, data analysis and reporting, operational reporting, and continuous improvement efforts across Strategic Research Partnerships and Custom Research initiatives.

This role provides day-to-day leadership for research operations and collaborates closely with the Managing Director to implement strategic priorities through effective project execution, portfolio coordination, analytic support, and operational planning. The Manager helps ensure research initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational objectives while maintaining high standards for data quality, analytical rigor, collaboration, and stakeholder satisfaction.

The position is responsible for supporting research delivery processes, workforce planning, operational governance, data analysis and visualization, and performance monitoring that enable the organization to effectively manage a growing portfolio of strategic partnerships, grant-funded projects, and applied research engagements. The Manager contributes to the development of scalable processes, tools, and practices that improve operational effectiveness, strengthen analytical capabilities, enhance delivery consistency, and support organizational growth and mission advancement.

Currently, this is a remote-first position, and this position may be required to periodically work on-site at our office and the frequency would depend on the department/division's requirements. Therefore, candidates must either reside within a reasonable distance to commute to our office or be willing to travel to our office in Herndon, when required.

How You Contribute:

• Manage the day-to-day delivery of Custom Research projects and Strategic Research Partnership initiatives, ensuring work progresses according to approved scope, timelines, budget expectations, and stakeholder requirements.
• Monitor project status, milestones, dependencies, and risks; coordinate issue resolution and escalate concerns that may impact delivery.
• Conduct and support quantitative analysis for Custom Research, Strategic Research Partnerships, grant-funded initiatives, and other applied research projects, including data extraction, transformation, validation, aggregation, and interpretation.
• Develop, implement, and maintain project management frameworks, delivery processes, templates, and documentation standards to support consistent execution across research initiatives.
• Partner with Research, Data, Technology, and Quality Assurance teams to coordinate project activities and ensure deliverables meet established quality, methodological, and compliance standards.
• Evaluate project performance, stakeholder feedback, and operational metrics to identify and implement process improvements that enhance delivery effectiveness and efficiency.
• Evaluate and recommend tools, technologies, and workflow enhancements that support project execution, resource management, reporting, and collaboration.
• Ensure project teams maintain appropriate documentation, reporting, approvals, and project controls throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate project intake, prioritization, and resource planning activities to align project commitments with available capacity and organizational priorities.
• Manage analyst assignments and capacity planning across strategic partnerships, grant-funded initiatives, and custom research engagements to balance workload and delivery needs.
• Monitor portfolio performance through milestone tracking, operational metrics, utilization reporting, and risk assessments.
• Maintain visibility into current and future project pipelines, resource demands, and staffing needs to support operational planning and decision-making.
• Provide recommendations regarding project priorities, staffing allocations, workload balancing, and resource utilization.
• Support budget forecasting, resource planning, and operational decision-making through analysis of portfolio performance, utilization trends, and project outcomes.
• Develop and maintain portfolio dashboards, operational reports, and key performance indicators to communicate project status, resource capacity, and delivery performance, research outputs, data quality, and portfolio outcomes; analyze trends and translate findings into recommendations for leadership decision-making.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures, project governance practices, workflow documentation, and research delivery standards.
• Assess operational risks, project dependencies, and delivery constraints and develop mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions to project outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, scalability, service quality, and transparency through process enhancements and workflow optimization.
• Ensure operational processes support effective management of research partnerships, grant-funded projects, philanthropic initiatives, and custom research engagements.
• Collaborate with Strategic Partnerships, Philanthropy, Sales, Finance, Legal, Product, Technology, Quality Assurance, and Research Center teams to support project planning and successful delivery outcomes.
• Provide operational expertise during project scoping, proposal development, partnership planning, and contract discussions.
• Coordinate staffing plans and resource allocation across multiple research programs and partnership initiatives.
• Partner with business leaders to operationalize new research services, partnership models, and strategic initiatives through established delivery processes and implementation plans.
• Communicate project status, priorities, resource needs, risks, and delivery expectations to stakeholders and leadership.
• Represent Research Operations in cross-functional planning meetings and provide recommendations to support effective execution and operational decision-making.
• Partner with the Managing Director to implement departmental priorities, operational plans, and strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to departmental planning, process improvement, workforce planning, and operational readiness efforts.
• Evaluate operational challenges and recommend practical solutions that improve efficiency, quality, and project outcomes.
• Support change management and implementation efforts associated with new processes, technologies, services, and organizational priorities.
• Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the Research Operations team.

Workforce Management:

• Demonstrate the management and/or senior leadership competencies:
  • Management Competencies: Making Complex Decisions, Being Flexible and Adaptive, Build Collaborative Relationships, Focusing on Performance, and Optimizing Diverse Talent.
  • Senior Leadership Competencies: Balances Stakeholders, Cultivates Innovation, Drives Vision and Purpose, Strategic Mindset, and Understanding the Business.
• Build a team-based environment that aligns with company values, ways of working, and competencies.
• Ensure employees comply with company policies, procedures and regulations, while meeting established goals.
• Recruit and select the best talent to help optimize skills and experiences.
• Motivate and manage staff to maximize productivity and efficiency.
• Provide direction to team members, including feedback to support personal and career development and ongoing improvement.
• Develop and manage career development and advancement and define and monitor training and development plans to support job and career satisfaction.
• Coach, mentor, and ensure staff are adequately trained and provide guidance, as needed.
• Monitor and provide feedback on performance including annual reviews, rewards, and compensation structure.
• Reward employees using formal and informal methods.

Position may be required to perform other duties as required. These essential functions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Bachelors degree in business, data analytics, project management, research administration, public administration, or a related field. A combination of education and experience including military service will also be considered.
• 6 years of progressively responsible experience in research operations, program management, portfolio management, project management office (PMO) operations, strategic initiatives, or related operational functions.
• 3 years of leadership experience that includes responsibility for supervising staff, leading teams, or managing complex cross-functional projects, programs, or operational initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of portfolio management, research operations, program delivery, and project management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• Knowledge of operational governance, performance measurement, resource management, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to develop, implement, and enhance operational processes, workflows, delivery practices, and performance standards.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate information, identify risks, and recommend practical solutions.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills with demonstrated experience working with large, complex datasets.
• Proficiency with R, SAS, or comparable statistical or analytical programming tools for data preparation and analysis.
• Experience with data extraction, transformation, validation, aggregation, and quality assurance.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and experience using data visualization and business intelligence platforms such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Ability to translate research questions and business needs into data requirements, analytical approaches, metrics, and actionable insights.
• Familiarity with data governance, privacy, security, and responsible data-use practices, particularly when working with sensitive education, workforce, or individual-level data.
• Demonstrated business acumen and ability to align operational activities with organizational objectives.
• Excellent verbal, written, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships, influence stakeholders, and achieve alignment across teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, initiatives, and operational priorities.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate employees while fostering accountability and engagement.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, adapt to changing priorities, and support organizational change initiatives.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make informed decisions in a dynamic environment.
• Proficiency with project management, reporting, collaboration, and business productivity tools.
• Demonstrates the Clearinghouse’s core competencies: customer focus, optimizes work processes, communicates effectively, collaborates, and is open and authentic.
• Must live within a commutable distance to Herndon, VA or in one of the Clearinghouse's approved States for hiring purposes. Refer to our HR Policies Page, located on our Careers site at https://www.studentclearinghouse.org/careers/human-resource-policies/, for more details.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We do not intend to sponsor external applicants for work visas, and may consider sponsorship only if no qualified candidates can be found who are authorized to work without sponsorship.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), Higher Education Administration, Project Management, Data Analytics, Research Administration, or a related field.
• Experience working in higher education, education research, philanthropy, nonprofit, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Experience supporting applied research programs, strategic research partnerships, consulting engagements, or research service organizations.
• Experience with grant-funded research initiatives, philanthropic partnerships, externally funded programs, or other complex multi-stakeholder research initiatives.
• Knowledge of postsecondary education data, workforce outcomes research, education policy, student success, or related education research domains.
• Experience implementing scalable operational practices, tools, or technologies within a growing research, analytics, or professional services environment.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile, Lean Six Sigma, or related certification.

Physical Demands:

• Use of a computer for 8 or more hours a day.
• Use of a telephone and/or copy machine.
• Frequently required to sit for 7 or more hours per day.
• Occasionally required to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, and reach.
• Vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Benefits and Related Information

The National Student Clearinghouse provides a robust benefit program designed to help meet the needs of each employee and their family, both now and in the future. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance benefits, for employees and their qualified dependents. Health care, dependent care, and limited purpose flexible spending accounts, as well as a health savings account with annual employer contributions of $300 for employees and $600 for employees who are enrolled with their spouse and/or dependents, voluntary supplemental health plans for Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage, and infertility coverage are options available for employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars for certain qualifying expenses. We offer a very generous 401k matching contribution program with the opportunity to defer pre-tax and Roth contributions, as well as catch-up contributions for those who are eligible! We are proud to offer a competitive paid leave program consisting of vacation, sick, and personal time, as well as paid holidays, up to 3 weeks of paid parental leave during a 12-month period , and up to 5 days of paid military leave per calendar year . Vacation time will accrue based on length of service, and new full-time hires can accrue up to 13 days of vacation and up to 10 days of sick time per year. On an annual basis, new employees may use up to 32 hours of accrued sick time as personal time. Additionally, the Clearinghouse observes at least 15 paid holidays per year, including company year-end close between Christmas and New Years Holidays.

Another perk is that employees have the option to get reimbursed for basic wholesale company and roadside assistance memberships (e.g., Costco and AAA) and to request a buy back on portions of unused accrued vacation based on tenure and certain other qualifications. Employees can further their education and professional development by using our Employee Education Assistance Program, which establishes reimbursement for qualified education expenses upon successful completion of the program, and leveraging the enterprise-wide LinkedIn Learning subscription. There are additional employee benefits too, including but not limited to, mental health with up to eight free therapy sessions for employees and their family members and well-being reward benefits. With the Clearinghouse being an eligible 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization, employees are eligible for service credit towards the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). To find out more, please request a copy of our Benefits at a Glance!

Additionally, we reasonably believe that the salary range for this position is between $104,748 and $136,224.

The pay range listed above represents a good faith estimate and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The National Student Clearinghouse considers multiple factors when determining base pay for offers, including but not limited to the responsibilities and scope of the role, as well as a candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Internal Candidates: If you feel you meet the qualifications for the role, we strongly encourage you to apply and focus on preparing for the application process. Finalist internal candidates will receive a compensation review prior to any offer being made. In accordance with the Clearinghouse’s compensation and promotion guidelines, internal compensation practices will be applied first, which may result in pay that differs from the posted salary range.

This job announcement was posted to the National Student Clearinghouse’s Careers site at www.studentclearinghouse.org/careers and the internal job board via ClearCo on 11/06/2026 and the online application period will be open for at least 3 days from this posting date. A completed online application is required to be considered for this opportunity.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities: The National Student Clearinghouse is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status (or known to have a spousal, family, business, social or other relationship or association with a protected veteran), sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, natural hairstyle, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

Pay Transparency Notice: The National Student Clearinghouse is a federal contractor that abides by all applicable equal opportunity laws and regulations. Under these laws, companies doing business with the federal government must provide applicants and employees with certain policies, including the following information. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)