Strategy & Insights Manager

Credlens is seeking a dynamic Product and Business Analyst with a passion for social impact and a background in consulting or product development. As a key member of the Credlens team, you will support the organization's mission by driving research, analysis, and strategy development. You will be responsible for conducting analysis to help improve our offerings, researching and identifying key ecosystem partners, and supporting the product development process to advance CredLens’ mission and impact.

Context

CredLens, established in 2024, is an independent corporate entity affiliated with Strada Education Foundation. Our mission is to build a nonprofit national data trust focused on verified outcomes for non-degree credentials. CredLens will deliver actionable insights and power ongoing research for industry-based, professional, and workforce credentials. CredLens is designed to fill the data gap for non-degree credentials. The attainment of these credentials is growing, but there is little to no data tracking their outcomes. CredLens will offer tailored data analytics and visualizations to credential issuers, workforce training providers, philanthropic funding partnerships, and state system partnerships to support the continuous improvement of credential quality and to support informed funding and scaling decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Data Partner Evaluation: Analyze potential data partners to assess their alignment with our mission, including evaluating the quality, relevance, and impact of their datasets.
• Ecosystem Partner Identification: Research and identify potential ecosystem partners to expand the reach and impact of our initiatives.
• Policy and Metrics Research: Conduct research on relevant policy frameworks and key performance metrics for non-degree credentials, ensuring Credlens remains at the forefront of industry developments.
• Market Analysis: Provide market and competitor analysis to inform strategy and product development.
• Product Development Support: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers and developers, to contribute to the development of tools and products that improve credential outcomes.
• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare clear and concise reports, presentations, and recommendations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic Insights: Identify trends and insights to inform the strategic direction of Credlens and influence the broader credentialing ecosystem.

The Person: Qualifications and Experience

• Education: BA or BS in Relevant Field preferred
• 5 or more years of experience in business analysis, consulting, or a related field, with a focus on research to support data-driven decision-making.
• Strong product development understanding, particularly in mission-driven or nonprofit environments.
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with data partners and/or in evaluating large datasets is a plus.
• Familiarity with the education, workforce development, or policy sectors related to non-degree credentials is highly desirable (preferred).

Approximately 5-10% domestic travel anticipated.

Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with CredLens' guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.

Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim - accordingly.

Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.

Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.

Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to CredLens' organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.