Research Associate, Government Renewal Project

About the position The Government Renewal Project is an initiative focused on building the government Americans want, deserve, and need. Our mission is to provide the next U.S. president with a first-year blueprint for building and enhancing federal government capacity to deliver results for the American people, while laying the groundwork for long-term government revitalization and transformation. Through operational, institutional, and workforce fixes and reform, the Government Renewal Project aims to bridge the gap between policy aspirations and governmental capacity while rebuilding public trust in American institutions. Organization Overview Digital Harbor Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of the Government Renewal Project. Digital Harbor Foundation is dedicated to digital equity for everyone, increasing diversity in the technology sector, and advancing technology innovation for the public good. Driven by our sincere belief that access to opportunity is a basic right, we take bold yet practical actions to support making a better future now. Through a portfolio of projects focused on developing leadership within communities, we support those closest to challenges to take deliberate actions based on a design thinking approach, backed by data analysis, grounded in a practice of collective impact, and driven by a commitment to racial equity. Role The Research Associate plays a crucial supporting role within the Government Renewal Project’s Programs and Research function. Working closely with the Director of Programs and Research and the Director of Strategic Initiatives, the Research Associate will gather, review, analyze, organize, and synthesize ideas, evidence, and inputs that will shape the Project’s public and stakeholder-facing products and deliverables related to federal government capacity and operational reforms. This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, curious, and collaborative — someone who enjoys moving between research and analysis tasks, project coordination, and supporting day-to-day execution across multiple workstreams. The Research Associate will support program and research operations by: drafting and updating project plans; tracking deliverables and external contributions; preparing and editing briefing materials; attending and/or helping to organize virtual and in-person discussions, sessions, and workshops, and capturing takeaways; conducting literature reviews and summarizing key insights; and helping ensure smooth coordination among partners and internal teams. This role requires excellent writing and analytical skills, strong attention to administrative details, and comfort working in a fast-paced environment with many moving parts.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Programs and Research in managing workflows, timelines, and milestones across multiple projects
• Maintain systems and project plans that track internal and external deliverables
• Help prepare agendas, discussion documents, notes, and follow-up materials for internal and external meetings
• Identify and implement process improvements that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Program and Research team and the Project as a whole
• Conduct literature reviews, landscape analysis, and background research on topics related to federal government capacity, management, and reform
• Synthesize research into concise summaries, memos, slide decks and briefing materials for leadership
• Track new research, activities, and developments across the government reform ecosystem
• Assist in communicating expectations, timelines, and deliverables among external contributors
• Help organize inputs from partners, consultants, and working groups to ensure smooth integration into project outputs
• Prepare briefing packets and materials for partner engagement meetings
• Help foster collaborative relationships across the Project’s network of experts, practitioners, and aligned initiatives
• Help compile and organize external contributions into consistent and valuable work products
• Assist in synthesizing insights into draft recommendations, options, and issue briefs
• Support quality control to ensure materials align with the project’s guiding principles and strategic direction
• Identify gaps in research or expertise and flag them for further exploration

Requirements

• 2–4 years of experience in program support, research, policy analysis, project coordination, or related roles.
• Strong research skills, including the ability to gather and summarize information from diverse sources.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and project-tracking capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to support cross-team collaboration and coordinate multiple workstreams.
• Ability to work independently and proactively while maintaining alignment with team goals.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in federal government, think tanks, research organizations, or policy-focused environments.
• Familiarity with federal operations, public administration, or issues related to government capacity and operational and institutional reforms.
• Experience supporting stakeholder coordination or external partnerships.
• Experience drafting and editing memos, briefs, or synthesis documents for senior audiences.
• Experience in management consulting.

Benefits

• Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (100% of the premium paid for employees and 85% of dependents)
• Pre-Tax Health Savings Account (HSA) (with $365 monthly employer contributions)
• Pre-Tax Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
• Paid Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Supplemental Voluntary Life Insurance (Employee, Spouse & Dependent Children)
• Total Pet Plan and Supplemental Wishbone Pet Insurance
• Employee Opportunity Program (EAP) - Health and Wellness
• Wellness Reimbursement Program
• 401k Retirement Plan (with 6% matching)
• 15 Days Paid Time Off Per Year
• 20 Days Paid Time Off Per Year (after 3rd Anniversary)
• 25 Days Paid Time Off Per Year (after 6th Anniversary)
• 16 Paid Holidays (14 common plus 2 flexible holidays, including Dec 25 - Jan 1)
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Paid Parental Leave for Moms and Dads (two weeks after first year)

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