Research Manager

at  APCO Worldwide

APCO Insight®, the strategic research, analytics and measurement consultancy within global advisory and advocacy firm APCO, is seeking a Research Manager to join its team join its team in Washington D.C, Chicago, Raleigh.
The Research Manager is responsible for executing and overseeing research assignments on behalf of the organization and clients. While this position is predominantly an opinion research position, APCO Insight is increasingly involved in assignments employing secondary research techniques, digital and social media research, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
This position is hands-on including day-to-day management of all aspects of our research projects. Core competencies include developing survey and focus group instruments, overseeing external data collection partners, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of data collected, analyzing information collected and reporting findings.
A successful candidate will have proven opinion research project management skills, including experience overseeing and managing data collection vendors, have exceptional attention to detail and strong time management and organizational skills. Candidates should be comfortable working independently and potentially with a remote supervisor and colleagues located across the U.S. and Europe.

Responsibilities:

• Make recommendations to support opinion research studies using qualitative, quantitative or other research methods;
• Support the design of research studies, through such activities as survey questionnaire and focus group discussion guide construction, sample design, data collection management, analysis planning, data analysis and reporting;
• Communicate effectively with internal teams to plan projects, set expectations, and create project deliverables;
• Managing domestic and/or international research projects;
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with tight deadlines;
• Oversee and coordinate with external data collection partners;
• Participate in the creation of analysis plans;
• Coordinate data reporting needs including the creation of crosstabulation banners, custom PowerPoint slides, narrative memos and online dashboards;
• Oversee development of dashboard visualizations;
• Conduct and/or guide ad-hoc analysis to leverage the dataset to answer specific questions;
• Cultivate a comprehensive knowledge of internal capabilities and processes;
• Lead efforts to improve processes including data integration, processing, and visualization;
• Ensure best-in-class quality deliverables for client;
• Support account managers; and,
• Mentor research analysts.

Qualifications:

• 4-5 years of relevant research experience;
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field;
• Master’s degree and/or graduate work in a relevant field (survey research, mathematics, statistics, sociology, psychology, political science) is preferred, but not required;
• Uncompromising attention to detail;
• Ability to draw insights from data and communicate them – either in narrative or visuals - in a compelling way to a reader;
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels;
• Entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative team inclination; and,
• Ability to work independently and be a self-starter, take initiative and set priorities

Furthermore, the ideal candidate will have some experience working on public affairs issues management, crisis management, corporate reputation, brand strategy or communication research, but this is not required.
With our commitment to recruit, hire, promote and retain people who reflect the diverse communities in which we operate, APCO Worldwide ensures our teams bring the best possible expertise and diverse perspectives to our clients. We embrace diversity of identity, experience and thought, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact.
Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants, and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.
APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services.
APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact.
By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.

• Make recommendations to support opinion research studies using qualitative, quantitative or other research methods;
• Support the design of research studies, through such activities as survey questionnaire and focus group discussion guide construction, sample design, data collection management, analysis planning, data analysis and reporting;
• Communicate effectively with internal teams to plan projects, set expectations, and create project deliverables;
• Managing domestic and/or international research projects;
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with tight deadlines;
• Oversee and coordinate with external data collection partners;
• Participate in the creation of analysis plans;
• Coordinate data reporting needs including the creation of crosstabulation banners, custom PowerPoint slides, narrative memos and online dashboards;
• Oversee development of dashboard visualizations;
• Conduct and/or guide ad-hoc analysis to leverage the dataset to answer specific questions;
• Cultivate a comprehensive knowledge of internal capabilities and processes;
• Lead efforts to improve processes including data integration, processing, and visualization;
• Ensure best-in-class quality deliverables for client;
• Support account managers; and,
• Mentor research analysts