Manager, Research- Public Affairs

Job description

Global Strategy Group (GSG) works at the intersection of business, politics, and causes. We’re the go-to public affairs, communications, and research partner for brands, causes, and campaigns, helping our clients build their reputations, tackle big challenges, and win. Our team brings together people from research, strategic communications, and public affairs who are passionate about what they do, curious about the world around them, and motivated by challenging, high-stakes work. We are seeking a Manager to join our Insights research team, focused on public affairs and corporate reputation research. If you’re interested in the big issues making headlines—and how companies navigate an increasingly complex political and reputational landscape—this is a chance to dig into them. Our research helps leading companies and organizations understand what policymakers, consumers, and other key stakeholders think; navigate political, legislative, regulatory, and reputational challenges; and determine how to communicate effectively when the stakes are high. The ideal candidate will be based in Washington, DC or New York City and bring experience in public affairs, political, and/or corporate reputation research. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment, and have experience managing quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (focus groups and online discussion boards) research projects from beginning to end. The role requires a proactive and resourceful researcher with superior attention to detail and critical thinking skills, who enjoys doing the work directly — from survey design and instrument writing to analysis and storytelling — in addition to managing day-to-day project teams and beginning to establish client relationships. ### Responsibilities - Manage qualitative and quantitative research projects from beginning to end. - Conceptualize and produce client-ready survey questionnaires and qualitative research screeners and guides with account lead guidance and feedback. - Conceptualize and produce analyses of research projects – both written analyses and visual PowerPoint presentations with account lead guidance and feedback. - Establish and cultivate client relationships to successfully manage day-to-day needs and expectations, including responding to clients in a timely fashion, anticipating client needs, and regularly updating clients. - Moderate qualitative research engagements, including in-depth interviews, focus groups, and online discussion boards. - Oversee and coordinate research projects by actively keeping track of project details, organizing tasks, and keeping team's adherence to timelines without prompting. - Responsible for overseeing project fielding, i.e., review partials, provide edits, discuss weighting targets with data team, actively troubleshoot project fielding issues. - Train, manage, and/or mentor junior team members. - Conceptualize new business proposals, including producing, editing, and delivering presentations with senior staff oversight and guidance. - Provide strategic recommendations and begin to develop a strong strategic voice. ### Qualifications - 4-6 years of experience in public affairs, political, and/or corporate reputation research. - Experience in executing every stage of a research project – both quantitative and qualitative. - Excellent project management and organizational skills. - A proven ability to successfully juggle multiple projects. - Ability to work efficiently and quickly produce high-quality work products. - Experience with the new business process (i.e., writing proposals and producing pitch decks, developing methodologies and research programs, etc.). - Experience with client-facing responsibilities, including leading client engagements. - Excellent communication and writing skills. - Strong analytical skills – going beyond descriptive findings to tell a story with actionable recommendations. - Team player with the ability to collaborate and maintain strong working relationships. - Strong attention to detail and experience with catching mistakes and being detail oriented. - Expertise with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel Word). - Experience/coursework with statistics and advanced quantitative methods, a plus - Experience moderating focus groups, a plus