Work at LENA

Reports to: Senior Data and Research Analyst

Company Summary:

LENA is a national nonprofit on a mission to transform children’s futures through early talk technology and data driven programs. Research shows that back-and-forth interactions with adult caregivers support children’s brain, language, social-emotional, and long-term development. LENA integrates its “talk pedometer” technology into innovative programs for caregivers and early childhood educators to help adults create more meaningful interactions with children.

Job Summary:

The primary role of the Data and Research Analyst is to analyze and interpret LENA data to generate insights into program implementation, outcomes, and impact. While the Data and Research Analyst reports to the Senior Data and Research Analyst, they also work closely with other members of the Research Team (e.g., Director of Data and Research Analysis, Chief Research and Evaluation Officer) as well as with high-level management to identify analytic approaches that address complex research questions.

This role requires cleaning and harnessing diverse and sometimes ambiguous datasets (e.g., LENA technology data, survey data, external assessment measures, etc.) to uncover trends that inform broader organizational initiatives. The Data and Research Analyst also collaborates with LENA Marketing, Partner Success, and external partners to develop impact reports and respond to questions about LENA data and technology. To that end, an important aspect of this role is effectively communicating findings to technical and non-technical audiences through discussion, written reports, and visuals. As a team member, the Data and Research Analyst is expected to respond to feedback professionally and proactively, and to approach this work with flexibility, empathy, attention to detail, and intellectual curiosity.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Determine and conduct appropriate statistical analyses to address research questions

• Clean and prepare datasets for statistical analyses

• Interpret results appropriately, factoring in limitations and related contexts of the data

• Synthesize and communicate summary results in reports to members of the Research team

• Prepare summary reports for other LENA teams, partners and funders on a regular basis

• Create data visualizations for internal and outward-facing applications

• Help ensure the quality of data analyses of LENA metrics and other related data

• Participate in brainstorming creative solutions to statistical challenges

• Review and help draft research articles, technical reports, and presentations

• Provide ongoing support to research design efforts

• Participate fully in LENA internal and external meetings

• Address customer support questions as needed

• Maintain and enhance qualifications and capabilities

• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

• High degree of skill coding in at least one data analysis package (such as SPSS, R, Python, Stata, SAS, etc.) and willingness to learn others.

• Excellent written, visual, and oral communication skills, with an ability to articulate statistical results using accessible language

• Strong detail focus with excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

• Ability to prioritize tasks with flexibility as needs and focus change

• Proficient seeking, applying and sharing feedback

• Familiarity with LENA system data preferred

• Highly organized and able to balance multiple priorities effectively

• Capable of functioning well in a high-paced environment and managing deadline pressures

• Committed to maintaining and demonstrating personal qualities of integrity, credibility and cultural competence and adhering to LENA’s mission and values

You could be a good match for this role if you are:

• Mission-driven. It matters to you that your work makes a positive and durable impact on the world, and LENA’s mission speaks to you. You are culturally competent and have empathy with communities and contexts we serve (e.g., underserved populations, bilingual and/or multicultural environments, child-care settings).

• Thoughtfully entrepreneurial. You have sharp business acumen with a knack for turning daunting sales goals into reality. You’re an entrepreneurial risk taker but do so deliberately, defining the hypotheses you’re testing and then capturing and activating the resultant learning. You understand the value of balancing the long game in relationship cultivation with timely persuasiveness to move things forward now. You combine a personal humility and sense of curiosity with fierce resolve to collectively achieve audacious goals.

• A consistently great communicator. You are clear in your thinking and convey it with skill whether verbally or in written form. You listen to understand rather than to respond. You can read the room and possess the confidence to speak effectively with a range of audiences. You take the time to make the complex sound simpler. You are known for timely and consistent follow-up.

• Reflective and growth oriented. You look back on your wins and challenges to find the opportunities to grow and improve. You view feedback as a gift, seeking and incorporating feedback from your colleagues and partners to increase your personal impact in your role, as well as LENA’s impact in the field.

• Committed to equity and access to opportunity for all children. You understand the headwinds children, families, and caregivers face, particularly in under-resourced communities, and are dedicated to ensuring that all children have the tools to fulfill their potential from the earliest age.

Experience:

At least three years of experience analyzing social science data and developing statistical models with large datasets. Experience programming in SPSS, R, and other statistical packages a plus. Experience working with education data and systems, particularly those related to early childhood education, is a plus.

Compensation: LENA’s team is passionate, fun, and collaborative. To learn more, visit our website. We have an excellent benefits package (including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, PTO, 14 holidays, and a 401k with match). This full time exempt role’s expected salary range begins at $75,000-$85,000 annually, with compensation based on experience.

How To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter with salary/compensation requirements and resume as a single PDF document to HR@lena.org.

We love cover letters! We really do read them. Channel LENA’s “persevere to simple” value to tell us in a way that is authentically yours why this role is the best next chapter for both you and us!

Physical Requirements:

• This is a remote or hybrid (LENA office and remote) position and requiring prolonged periods of being stationary at a desk and working on a computer (95-100% of daily work time)

• Engaging in repetitive movements of wrists, hands and fingers – typing and/or writing

• Working frequently at close visual range (i.e., computer screen, including extensive reading)

• Lifting 25 pounds of weight

• Occasional travel is required, involving traversing typical transportation venues such as automobiles and airports