Market Researcher and Strategic Workforce Partnerships/Funder Analyst

Job description

Market Research & Strategic Workforce Partnerships/Funder Analyst
Mission
Dwyer Workforce Development's (DWD) mission is to provide comprehensive support to individuals who lack opportunity and aspire to pursue a career in the healthcare industry, alleviating a severe healthcare workforce shortage, and improving the lives of seniors and the community.

Our Values
At Dwyer Workforce Development, how we work matters as much as what we achieve. Every team member is expected to operate in alignment with our core values:
• Integrity - doing the right thing even if no one is looking
• Empathy - action ruled compassion
• Ingenuity - big ideas and solutions
• Accountability - ownership in every action
• Collaboration - the power of we over me
These values are not aspirational. They are expected and reflected in how we work every day.

Position Summary
The Market Research and Strategic Partnerships/Funder Analyst is responsible for conducting strategic market research, partnership and funder prospecting, workforce ecosystem analysis, and competitive intelligence activities that support Dwyer Workforce Development's growth, expansion, and Scholar success initiatives.
This role serves as a research and business intelligence function focused on identifying and qualifying potential community-based organizations (CBOs), employer partners, healthcare providers, training partners, workforce agencies, funding opportunities, and strategic collaborations aligned with DWD's mission and operational goals.
The Analyst gathers, organizes, and evaluates workforce development trends, funding avenues/opportunities, healthcare labor market data, Scholar support resource availability, industry benchmarks, competitor offerings, and regional expansion opportunities to support informed decision-making across departments.
This role collaborates closely with Leadership, Enrollment, Partner Engagement, Scholar Success, Operations, Expansion and Development teams to strengthen DWD's positioning, partnership ecosystem, and long-term workforce impact.

Position Responsibilities
Partnership Prospecting and Ecosystem Research
• Research and identify prospective community-based organizations (CBOs), healthcare employers, training providers, workforce development agencies, funding avenues, and strategic partners aligned with DWD's mission and target populations.
• Build and maintain organized prospect databases including contact information, service offerings, geographic coverage, funding alignment, and partnership potential.
• Conduct first-level qualification assessments of prospective partners to determine strategic fit, mission alignment, operational capacity, and collaboration opportunities.
• Research employer hiring trends, workforce shortages, credential requirements, and healthcare labor demands within target markets.
• Support outreach preparation by providing leadership and partnership teams with background research, organization profiles, and strategic insights.

Funding Opportunity and Grant Research
• Research local, state, federal, philanthropic, and private funding opportunities relevant to workforce development, healthcare training, Scholar support services, and regional expansion efforts.
• Monitor grant announcements, workforce initiatives, healthcare funding trends, and economic development opportunities.
• In partnership with the Development team, maintain research tracking systems for funding opportunities, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and strategic alignment.
• Support the Chief Engagement Officer and Development Team with preliminary research and recommendations regarding potential grant pursuits and partnership funding opportunities.
• In partnership with the Development Team, identify collaborative funding opportunities involving community organizations, healthcare systems, training providers, and public sector partners.

Workforce Development and Competitive Intelligence Research
• Conduct ongoing research on workforce boards, workforce development organizations, healthcare training providers, nonprofit workforce programs, and competitor service models.
• Analyze industry benchmarks, workforce participation trends, healthcare employment metrics, licensure trends, wage data, and training outcomes.
• Research and compare competitor programs, Scholar support models, wraparound services, operational structures, and partnership approaches.
• Identify emerging trends, innovative practices, and strategic opportunities within workforce development and healthcare employment ecosystems.
• Prepare summaries, reports, presentations, and dashboards that support organizational strategy and decision-making.

Scholar Support Services and Resource Mapping
• In partnership with the Partnership Engagement team, research assistance programs and support services available to Scholars including housing assistance, rental assistance, transportation support, childcare resources, food security programs, digital access programs, and emergency assistance services.
• Build and maintain resource directories by region, service type, eligibility requirements, and referral process.
• Collaborate with Scholar Success, Enrollment, and Support & Intervention teams to strengthen resource coordination efforts.
• Monitor gaps in available support services and identify opportunities for partnership development or expanded community collaboration.

Regional Expansion and Market Analysis
• Conduct regional and state-level workforce market analysis to support DWD expansion planning and operational growth.
• Research healthcare labor shortages, CNA demand, workforce demographics, training provider landscapes, and employer hiring activity in prospective expansion markets.
• Evaluate market conditions, partnership ecosystems, competitive environments, and funding landscapes within target regions or states.
• Support strategic planning efforts through data analysis, benchmarking, and market intelligence reporting.

Data Management, Reporting and Operational Support
• Maintain accurate and organized research databases, partnership tracking systems, and market intelligence records.
• Develop reports, summaries, spreadsheets, presentations, and dashboards to communicate findings and strategic recommendations.
• Ensure research activities, data collection, and reporting processes remain organized, timely, and actionable.
• Support cross-functional teams with ad hoc research projects and strategic initiatives as needed.
• Participate in planning meetings, operational discussions, and continuous improvement efforts.

Licensure / Certification / Registration
• Valid Driver's License and regular access to a vehicle preferred.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree preferred in business, public policy, nonprofit management, workforce development, economics, healthcare administration, research, communications, or related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in research, workforce development, nonprofit operations, business analysis, market intelligence, partnership development, grant research, or related field.
• Strong research, analytical, and information synthesis skills.
• Experience organizing and analyzing large amounts of information and data.
• Strong written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, presentation tools, CRM systems, and online research platforms.
• Demonstrated professionalism, curiosity, accountability, and strategic thinking ability.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience within workforce development, healthcare, nonprofit, philanthropic, government, or community-based service sectors.
• Familiarity with workforce funding systems, healthcare employment pathways, or public workforce initiatives.
• Experience conducting competitive intelligence or strategic market analysis.
• Experience supporting grant development, partnership prospecting, or regional expansion initiatives.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM/database systems preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Dwyer Workforce Development is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Sponsorship in US: Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Sponsorship.