The Commonwealth Foundation is a Pennsylvania-based public policy think tank committed to transforming free-market ideas into public policies empowering all Pennsylvanians to thrive. With a vision to make Pennsylvania the leading state for opportunity and prosperity, we work to influence policy through research, advocacy, and engagement.
Our core values guide our mission and daily work:
- Integrity – We do the right thing—even when it’s hard. We uphold honesty, transparency, and accountability in all we do, earning and maintaining trust from our team, partners, and stakeholders.
- Mission Driven. Outcome Focused – We relentlessly focus on achieving policy wins that advance our mission of creating a free-market state, always prioritizing outcomes over activities and continuously measuring our impact.
- Stewardship – We carefully and responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us, ensuring maximum impact for our donors, our allies, and the mission we serve.
- People Matter (Internal & External) – We recognize that our greatest asset is our people. We foster a culture that is welcoming, rewarding, and enjoyable, caring deeply for our team’s growth, wellbeing, and success. We prioritize relationships and believe all people matter.
- Engage to Improve – We actively seek feedback and engage openly with diverse perspectives to continually improve ourselves, our team, and our organization. We value robust, candid discussion as an opportunity for growth and progress.
Position Summary:
The Policy Data Analyst is responsible for maintaining and analyzing education, labor, and state spending datasets. This role supports the organization’s mission by analyzing trends and identifying key facts to craft transformative and achievable free market policies that help all Pennsylvanians thrive. The Policy Data Analyst plays a key role on the policy team by creating impactful analysis used regularly by state lawmakers in and beyond Pennsylvania. The analysis created by this individual will play a crucial part in achieving the Commonwealth Foundation’s policy goals in the largest swing state in America.
This is a full-time role, reporting to the Vice President of Policy. The Policy Data Analyst may be based in any of the Commonwealth Foundation’s offices in Harrisburg, PA; Radnor, PA; or Washington, DC, and is expected to work on-site 2-3 days per week.
Responsibilities:
Data Management and Analysis
- Responsible for maintaining Openpa.gov database on school funding, performance, and salaries and managing external requests for information.
- Maintain the 50-state labor law database, including biannual updates.
- Lead analysis of public sector union political spending and identify trends around Collective Bargaining Agreements for use in research.
- Identify trends and convey important findings to advance Commonwealth Foundation’s policy goals.
Research Support
- Work closely with policy, public affairs, and government affairs teams to produce publications and analysis that advance our policy goals. This will include both short and long-term projects.
- Conduct high-quality, rapid-fire analysis in response to requests from across the organization to support our teams in their advocacy and to grow our intellectual leadership and reputation.
- Equip colleagues with information and materials to communicate effectively with core audiences such as legislators, media, and donors.
Success Measure(s):
- Data sets are current and robust.
- Key statistical information is readily available.
- Research publication drafts are high quality and completed on time.
- Commonwealth Foundation maintains and grows our reputation as the go-to source on education spending, the Pennsylvania state budget, and public sector labor reform.
Key Competencies:
- Able to manipulate data to identify key trends.
- Ability to think creatively about ways to show the benefit of free-market policies.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with a broader team in a hybrid-working environment.
- Performs well in a quick-paced environment, responding to varied data requests on a day-to-day basis.
- Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize immediate/urgent requests while still timely completing long-term projects.
- Alignment with free market ideas and a passion to see all Pennsylvanians thrive.
Qualifications:
- Experience: At least 1-3 years of research or data analysis experience, preferably within a nonprofit, advocacy, or policy-driven organization.
- Education & Certifications: Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in economics, political science, government administration or related field preferred but not required.
- Technical Proficiency: Mastery of Excel and experience in database management. Quantitative research skills and knowledge of statistical software preferred.
- Knowledge Requirements: A familiarity with Pennsylvania state public policy or a willingness and ability to quickly develop an understanding.
Physical Requirements (ADA Compliance):
- Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
- Travel Requirements: Up to 20%
- Occasional lifting of equipment (up to 25 lbs).
- Manual dexterity to operate keyboards, mice, and other office equipment.
- Visual acuity to read technical documentation and screens.
Compensation:
The projected salary range for this role is $55,000-65,000. This salary is contingent upon the specific experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.
How to Apply:
To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- Cover letter including:
- An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to Commonwealth Foundation’s mission and how you came to those beliefs. Be sure to include at least one specific issue or policy area that resonates with you.
- Salary requirements
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Senior Manager of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.
The Commonwealth Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer.
