Research Analyst

About Us

Cardinal Education is a dynamic and collaborative educational consulting company dedicated to providing students and families with superior academic support and admissions expertise. Our rapidly growing enterprise offers team members the opportunity to make a significant impact from the start while prioritizing exceptional experiences for families and providing substantial growth opportunities within the company.

Culture at Cardinal Education

Collaboration is key to our culture at Cardinal Education, where open communication and diverse perspectives are valued and drive success. We foster innovation and learning through a supportive environment that encourages growth. Our team is passionate about education and creating a dynamic and inclusive workplace.

Job Overview

Our team is looking for an analytical, detail-oriented, and process-driven Research Analyst who will serve as the primary engine for data collection, academic tracking, and specialized institutional research to support our College Team members, consultants, and clients.

The Research Analyst is a key contributor to the team’s success, responsible for producing high-quality, comprehensive research and presenting actionable data in a systematic format. In addition to executing high-level research under the guidance of lead consultants, you will manage student-specific data processes, coordinate workflows, and streamline communications to ensure our families receive premium, personalized admissions insights.

Given the niche nature of our industry, candidates can expect thorough training, resources developed specifically for the role, and regular feedback from supervisors to help them grow both personally and professionally.

Key Responsibilities

1. High-Level Admissions & Curricular Research

The core of this role centers on executing rigorous, data-driven research to optimize student outcomes. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Best-Fit Schools: Analyze and recommend universities that best match a client’s academic profile, extracurricular strengths, and personal preferences using a data-driven approach.
• College Application Requirements: Investigate, synthesize, and maintain up-to-date summaries of admission criteria, required documents, deadlines, and unique application components for a wide range of higher education institutions.
• Summer Program Applications: Identify, evaluate, and compile information on competitive summer programs that align with client interests, detailing application requirements and strategic recommendations.
• Extracurricular & Internship Curation: Research, track, and curate targeted lists of relevant internships, academic competitions, volunteer opportunities, and community service programs tailored to a student's unique profile.
  
  

2. Client Communication & Data Delivery

• Presenting Insights: Serve as a primary point of contact to convey complex research findings, updates, and reminders to clients with a high standard of professionalism and clarity.
• Information Flow: Ensure correct, timely, and effective delivery of all company communications regarding academic and admissions data.
  
  

3. Data Management & Integrity

• Profile Maintenance: Collect, organize, and systematically update comprehensive client information, including academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and school documents.
• Confidentiality: Ensure the strict integrity and security of all sensitive client data against unauthorized access.
  
  

4. Administration & Logistics

• Workflow Support: Direct research inquiries to the appropriate College Team members and provide administrative assistance, including meeting coordination and document preparation.
• Reporting: Prepare and maintain regular data dashboards and reports to highlight key metrics and support executive decision-making.
• Business Development: During the admissions off-season, spearhead special research projects that contribute to the overall growth and knowledge base of the company.
  
  

Requirements and Qualifications

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Creative Writing, History, or other research-intensive fields.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong critical thinking, analytical, and decision-making abilities, with a proven knack for gathering fragmented data and organizing it into comprehensive, systematic reports.
• Communication Skills: Proficient verbal and written communication skills, enabling you to translate dense research into accessible, client-friendly content and tailor your style to different audiences.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise in utilizing collaborative productivity software (Google Docs, Google Sheets) and web-based project management tools (Gmail, Slack, etc.).
• Organization & Time Management: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple research demands, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Interpersonal Experience: Experience engaging with diverse children, teenagers, young adults, and their families in educational or community settings. Ability to collaborate smoothly across multidisciplinary teams.
• Preferences: Experience working during PST hours and/or experience working for an education consulting company specializing in college admissions is highly preferred.
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary starting at $900+ a month, commensurate with experience
• Bi-weekly payouts
• Probationary period to acclimate to the night shift and the industry
• Extensive training in a niche industry
• Opportunities for career growth and salary increase after performance reviews
• Opportunities to work on cross-divisional projects to expand your skillset
• High-performing employees are considered for company retreats