Leadership and Sustainability Project Manager/ Research Associate

Established in 2004, Root Cause is a nonprofit research and consulting firm that partners with nonprofits, philanthropy,

government, and business to advance solutions to today's toughest social issues. We are committed to shaping the future

of social problem-solving, believing that sustainable social impact is possible if leaders from all sectors can work together

through social impact markets that provide information and incentives to distribute resources based on performance.

The project manager/research associate typically would come to us after working professionally for two to five years

beyond completion of an undergraduate degree, and combine that experience with skills obtained through internships or

volunteer positions as a student. This role will have a unique opportunity to be involved in a major national initiative and

interface with nonprofit innovators, government, business leaders, philanthropists and a range of other partners in the

black male achievement field.

The Leadership & Sustainability Institute (LSI) for Black Male Achievement is a national membership network launched

by Open Society Foundations Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA) -- along with support from The California

Endowment, The Heinz Endowments, Knight Foundation, Mitchell Kapor Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,

The Skillman Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Casey Family Programs -- to ensure the growth,

sustainability, and impact of leaders and organizations across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors committed to

improving the life outcomes of black men and boys through systemic change.

Root Cause completed a yearlong business planning process for the LSI and is now co-leading its implementation along

with the national research and action institute PolicyLink.

The work of the LSI involves building the overall LSI structure and implementing the following four strategies in

partnership with PolicyLink: BMA Capacity-Building and Sustainability Center, BMA Social Innovation Accelerator, BMA

Communities of Practice, and BMA Field Promotion (see graphic below). Root Cause is leading the BMA Capacity-Building

and Sustainability Center and BMA Social Innovation Accelerator strategies and PolicyLink is leading the BMA Communities

of Practice and BMA Field Promotion strategies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Project Manager/Research Associate will directly report to the LSI Senior Manager. The responsibilities of the Project

Manager/Research Associate are set out below, but are subject to evolve over the course of implementation.

Development, Analysis and Research (80%)

 Conduct data analysis including collecting data from a variety of database and research sources, developing

rigorous analyses to answer key questions, and reporting data in focused summary and chart formats for

internal and external audiences

 Assist with conceptualizing, drafting, editing and formatting high-quality internal and external materials

including PowerPoint presentations, excel spreadsheets, visual/graphical frameworks, tables, reports,

memos, website content, etc.

 Conduct secondary and primary research on organizations in the field, articles, research reports, and other

resources, including identifying sources and synthesizing findings

 Develop, execute, and analyze surveys, particularly using online survey tools

Project Management and Coordination (20%)

 Develop, maintain, and manage a project work plan reflecting milestones, internal and external meetings and

touch-points, deliverables, and priorities for implementation

 Coordinate work among all four LSI strategies and ensure that deliverables and milestones are on track

 Coordinate, plan, set agenda, and facilitate internal team meetings and select external meetings

 Keep notes and action steps of all meetings, identify next steps, and regularly track follow-up to ensure

progress

 Frame and develop internal and external communications including emails, memos, etc.

 Manage/coordinate various processes including a selection process for capacity-building grants and a

production schedule for electronic and print publications

 Support management of relationships with a range of LSI partner organizations

REQUIREMENTS

 Bachelor's degree

 2-5 years of professional work experience

 Strong research, analytical, writing and presentation skills

 Strategy consulting experience preferred

 Experience managing up, working with people in senior level positions internally and externally

 Experience working collaboratively as part of a team

 Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

 Self-starter with the capacity to take on leadership roles within project teams and the organization

 Demonstrated commitment to and/or work experience in the nonprofit sector (volunteer or paid)

 Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), particularly experience using Excel for data analysis

 Experience with Salesforce, WordPress, Vertical Response, and survey tools (e.g., SurveyGizmo and Survey

Monkey) are a plus