Now Hiring: Strategy & Research, Evaluation, and Learning (REL) Associate

Third Plateau, a growing multi-disciplinary social impact strategy firm, is looking for a self-directed professional to support our Strategy and Research, Evaluation, and Learning (REL) team as an Associate. Under the guidance of one of Third Plateau’s Directors, the Associate will provide targeted client management, research, and coordination/administrative support. The Associate will work closely with our REL and Strategy teams to help our nonprofit, foundation, government, and private sector clients bring bold visions to reality and drive social change. Top candidates will be highly organized self-starters, able to work under tight deadlines, able to juggle multiple assignments simultaneously, and be hungry to learn.

Start Date: ASAP

Location: United States - any location, with access to office space and the majority of Third Plateau team members in the Bay Area and Sacramento, California. Please note that being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and Third Plateau, as we are not able to sponsor applicants for work visas at this time.

Starting Annual Salary (Non-Exempt): $65,000 (position will be eligible for annual bonus and salary increase after first year)

Benefits: In addition to collaborating with an incredible team of social impact professionals, benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• Regular high fives
• Generous paid time off
• Wellness program ($500/year)
• Dedicated professional development budget
• Cell phone and home internet reimbursement ($110/month)

The Associate will serve as an integral part of the Third Plateau team. Under the guidance of one of Third Plateau’s Directors, the Associate will support the day-to-day operations of a growing social impact consulting firm. The Associate will join client project teams alongside members of Third Plateau’s Strategy and Research, Evaluation, and Learning teams. Potential client projects include, but are not limited to:

• Strategic plans, business plans, culture plans, and fundraising strategies for nonprofits
  and social entrepreneurs;
• Program and project evaluations for foundations, nonprofits, and networks;
• Convenings and retreats for nonprofit and philanthropic partners;
• Issue briefs for funders and funder networks;
• Building metrics systems for nonprofits;
• Market analyses and landscape scans; and
• Grantmaking processes with foundations, grantees, and strategic partners.

Potential duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Client and Project Management
   1. Representing Third Plateau at external events and attending external meetings as part of client teams;
   2. Building strong working relationships with clients and their networks;
   3. Keeping abreast of relevant research and trends related to specific projects, as needed;
   4. Drafting, editing, and formatting internal and external presentations, collateral, and other materials, including some graphic design; and
   5. Supporting client-related internal and external communications.
2. Research Support
   1. Helping source relevant resource materials for client engagements;
   2. Coordinating and conducting stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and surveys;
   3. Organizing, synthesizing, and analyzing research materials, notes, or quantitative and qualitative data;
   4. Supporting desk research and drafting research findings on a variety of topics including client markets, landscapes, and issues in various fields; and
   5. Helping Directors and Researchers prepare for and present research, evaluation, or learning projects to Third Plateau clients.
3. Coordination and Administrative Support
   1. Supporting project management functions, including design of work plans, internal and external coordination, and regular monitoring of progress;
   2. Drafting, assembling, and disseminating meeting agendas, notes, and action items;
   3. Leading event planning and execution of program logistics;
   4. Reviewing and editing proposals and deliverables;
   5. Maintaining electronic files and supporting data entry;
   6. Scheduling and calendaring project logistics and internal and external meetings; and
   7. Scheduling and coordinating client-related travel.

To be successful in this job, you will excel in the following key areas:

Learning quickly
You are a quick and perceptive learner and are able to acknowledge what you don’t know.

Tendency towards action
You anticipate next steps in projects and processes. When you see something that needs to be done, you act instead of waiting for it to be assigned to you.

Manage up
You proactively ask questions, push back when needed, and seek necessary input in order to successfully move projects forward.

Collaborative
You collaborate effectively in a cross-functional team. You find ways to contribute that work for you and add value.

Organization
You stay on top of your work, can handle many moving parts with ease, and have a habit of building sound processes where there were none before.

Attention to detail
You can simultaneously focus on the big picture while also paying attention to the smallest details of a project.

Communication
You are a strong and creative communicator. You can translate complicated information into accessible insights. You’re a capable facilitator and interpersonal communicator - verbally, visually, and in writing.

Calmness under pressure
You are able to manage a fast-paced work environment and can stay focused when juggling many projects and deadlines, including when they arise at the last minute.

Passionate
You are excited about the idea of building something meaningful. You notice problems and want to find ways to be a part of the solution.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to this field, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your application to tell us about your interest in our field and what you hope to bring to this role.

If you are interested in applying, please take some time to review who we are and our commitment to DEI. After learning about us, submit your application by clicking the “Apply Now” button at the top of this page, with the first review starting June 2022. The application form cannot save your progress, so please complete in one sitting as your progress will be lost if you navigate away before submitting.