Research Analyst - Higher Education

About McAllister & Quinn

McAllister & Quinn is a federal and foundation grants consulting and government relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. We offer our 200+ clients a unique blend of comprehensive grant consulting, strategic advising, and government relations services. In the higher education practice, McAllister & Quinn offers federal grant, external funding, strategic intelligence and capacity building consulting to small and mid-sized institutions of higher education. Our goal is to work collaboratively with clients to create and implement an annual strategy focused on increasing and diversifying external funding. McAllister & Quinn has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in competitive grant funding for scholarships and student support, academic programs, research, and equipment.

We are committed to securing funds for our clients that are transformational for the organizations who are awarded them, the people who work at these organizations every day, and the communities that surround them. The social impact of our work drives us daily to succeed in securing funding for our clients and is a major component of why we do what we do. We know that our success leads to better outcomes, changed lives, and a more equitable society for generations to come.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Analyst will report directly to a Manager and to the Higher Education Practice Chief of Staff. The Research Analyst will be assigned to directly support three to five Directors and Managing Directors within the Higher Education practice and will work with team members across the firm’s other core practice areas. Specific responsibilities include:

• Assist Directors and Managing Directors with client and project management, maintaining organized and accurate records using internal filing systems and data management tools
• Identify external funding opportunities that align with clients’ needs. This includes:
• Research and monitor suitable federal, state and foundation grant opportunities
• Liaise with Program Officers at federal and state agencies and foundations
• Provide accurately written materials summarizing opportunities of interest
• Complete analyses of successful awardee characteristics to inform clients’ competitiveness
• Research an institution’s funding priorities, academic programs, and strategic plans to identify funding opportunities
• Participate in client meetings, as requested, to understand priorities and interest areas for prospecting
• Generate and deliver high-quality, detailed, and accurate work products / client deliverables in a fast-paced environment with fixed deadlines, such as:
• Client federal, state and foundation grants strategy (grant opportunity matrix) for clients
• Comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analyses for individual grant competitions
• Concisely summarize relevant information for staff and client briefings
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with Managing Directors, Directors, and Vice Presidents at the firm to share information and learn from others
• Work effectively and contribute to a positive team environment and culture among the team of research analysts to support practice-wide needs
• Conduct substantive issue/topic area research related to trends, interests, and priorities of higher education institutions, federal agency and foundation grant programs and solicitations, understanding impact of federal budgets and appropriations
• Obtain and retain working knowledge of the most client-relevant federal grant programs across agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Education, National Endowment for the Humanities, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Justice, and others
• Emphasize and focus on a proactive solutions-focused mentality, positivity, confident presentation of opportunities, and overall thoroughness with all client support and internal projects
• Assist in the planning and implementation of McAllister & Quinn workshops, training webinars, and capacity building services
• Attend and participate in an annual Research Analyst retreat and other professional development offerings

Requirements and Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of four-year bachelor’s degree
• Excellent writing, organizational, and inter-personal communication skills
• Superior attention to detail across all levels of work
• Ability to synthesize and accurately summarize lengthy and often complex materials
• Strong communication skills via phone, and in person interactions with clients, colleagues
• Strong ability to juggle multiple projects and tasks at one time, prioritize effectively to on-time completion
• Positive attitude, proactive, and self-motivated to learn new information and skills
• Ability to troubleshoot problems when they arise and to work independently
• Adept at utilizing and deploying AI-driven solutions to optimize efficiency and accelerate results
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft suite programs, OneDrive and Adobe
• Superior candidates will have some familiarity with external funding opportunities (federal, state or foundations)

Compensation and Benefits

• Normal work hours are 8:30 am through 5:30 pm Monday through Friday; three or more days a week in the Washington, DC office required
• Competitive 401(k), healthcare, dental, life insurance, long-term disability and employee-directed vision, dependent care FSA, Healthcare HSA/FSA, and transit benefits
• Salary consideration will be commensurate with experience, range for position is $59,000 - $62,000 annual base salary and bonus eligibility.
• Flexible and generous vacation and leave policy

At McAllister & Quinn, we’re challenging the status. When we connect different perspectives, we open ourselves to new possibilities, inspire innovation, and allow us to achieve the full potential of our people. We’re building an employee experience & engagement that includes appreciation, belonging, growth, and purpose for everyone in our team.

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your application through our careers page: https://jm-aq.com/careers/. The cover letter should speak to how your education and/or work experiences integrate with the role and why you are the best fit for the position.