Senior Education Policy & Data Analyst

XQ Institute is the nation's leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so that every student graduates ready to succeed in life. We work in communities nationwide, with individual schools and entire school systems, to help them dream big about what high school could be, turn their innovative ideas into action, and create more rigorous and equitable schools.

The Opportunity

XQ Institute is seeking a Senior Education Policy and Data Analyst to support our policy, research, and advocacy efforts. Reporting to the Head of Research Evaluation & Insights, this role will work cross-functionally with XQ’s Policy, Research, and Schools & Systems teams. The Analyst will collect, analyze, and communicate data and evidence on effective public policies and innovative school models that can drive high school transformation nationwide. This work will strengthen XQ’s ability to advance its mission, inform strategy, and ensure that external communications are credible, evidence-based, and impactful.

Key Responsibilities

• Track, analyze, and communicate about state and federal policy developments related to high school transformation.
• Monitor, review, and synthesize external research on high school education, surfacing data and findings that inform XQ’s policy agenda.
• Analyze national, state, and district datasets to generate insights about high schools and transformation efforts nationwide.
• Compile and analyze evidence on innovative high school designs, highlighting opportunities and challenges for scaling transformation and improving student outcomes.
• Develop clear, evidence-driven materials—including executive briefings, fact sheets, presentations, policy reports, and online content—for both internal and external use.
• Create reporting on the performance, progress, and impact of partner schools and systems to inform strategic decision-making.
• Establish, maintain, and leverage a fact base of data and case-making evidence to support XQ’s policy, advocacy, and communications.
• Design effective strategies for sharing data and insights across the organization.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in education policy, research, or a related field.
• Strong quantitative skills with experience using statistical software.
• Proven ability to analyze large datasets with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience developing data visualizations and dashboards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Demonstrated ability to produce publishable, evidence-driven materials.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with experience working in cross-functional settings.

Compensation

XQ offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package that supports employee health, well-being, and financial security. This includes a 6% employer 401(k) match and robust health benefits.

Salary range: $150k - $175k

Location

XQ is headquartered in Oakland, CA with offices in Washington DC and New York City. This role will be based in Oakland, working out of our Oakland office.