Associate Director, Research

Spectrum Science; Washington; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly cell phone reimbursement

Flexible time off

Sabbatical after 7 years

Parental leave – 13 weeks

Tuition reimbursement

Referral bonus

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Spectrum Science is seeking a research-driven professional to manage multi-method studies and translate data into actionable client insights. You will lead projects from start to finish, create client-ready reports, and collaborate across strategy, analytics, and media teams.

The role emphasizes presenting findings, defining KPIs, and managing client relationships while maintaining high-quality outputs in a remote-friendly, hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Data Management, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field.
• At least 4 years of agency and/or marketing experience; healthcare experience is a plus.
• Strong independent work ethic and teamwork.
• Proficient in research methodologies and digital landscape, including social media and paid media.
• Creative thinker who improves processes.
• Experience with social listening tools (NetBase Quid, Brandwatch, Talkwalker, Meltwater).
• Knowledge of analytics tools (Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Tableau).
• Advanced MS Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
• Experience with influencer identification is a plus.
• Data science, statistics, or programming experience is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple primary and secondary research projects from start to finish.
• Lead qualitative and quantitative studies (surveys, IDIs, focus groups).
• Perform media, social listening analyses across channels.
• Develop client-ready presentations and reports with visuals.
• Present findings and recommendations to clients and teams.
• Act as day-to-day client lead, ensuring satisfaction.
• Design measurement frameworks and define KPIs tied to business goals.
• Define project scope, timelines, and deliverables for teams and vendors.
• Collaborate with strategy, analytics, media, and client service teams.
• Manage vendor relationships, budgets, and quality control.

Skills

Research methods

Digital landscape

Social listening

Analytics tools

MS Office

Influencer identification

Data science

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Data/Stats/Math

Tools

NetBase Quid

Brandwatch

Talkwalker

Meltwater

Google Analytics

Adobe Analytics

Tableau

Job description

At Spectrum Science, our mission-connecting humankind to its best healthlife-comes to life through a culture rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. We believe breakthrough ideas happen when diverse perspectives are embraced and people are empowered to challenge what’s possible.

Join our team of award-winning health-focused experts across advertising, clinical trial experience, communications, consulting, media, medical communications, and patient engagement. Together, we create the momentum that moves science, brands, and careers forward.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage multiple primary and secondary research projects from start to finish simultaneously, including:
  • Primary research initiatives, such as quantitative surveys, in-depth interviews (IDIs), and focus groups
  • Media and social listening analyses across traditional, digital, and social channels
  • Competitive, landscape, and whitespace assessments
• Synthesize complex datasets from multiple research methodologies and sources into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives for internal and client stakeholders.
• Develop client-ready presentations and reports that leverage data visualization and storytelling techniques to communicate findings and strategic implications effectively.
• Present research findings and recommendations to clients and internal teams, tailoring communications to diverse audiences.
• Serve as a day-to-day client lead, managing communications, understanding client needs, providing strategic counsel, and ensuring high-quality project execution and client satisfaction.
• Design measurement frameworks and define key performance indicators (KPIs) that align research activities with business objectives, while overseeing ongoing tracking, analysis, and reporting.
• Clearly define project objectives, scopes, timelines, and deliverables for internal teams, cross-functional partners, and external vendors to ensure efficient execution and high-quality outputs.
• Collaborate with strategy, analytics, media, and client service teams to align research initiatives with broader business goals and translate findings into strategic recommendations.
• Manage vendor relationships, project timelines, budgets, and quality assurance processes to ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.

Desired Skills and Qualification

• A Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Data Management, Statistics, Mathematics, or related major
• At least 4 years of agency and/or marketing experience, healthcare experience is a plus
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong working knowledge of research methodologies and digital landscape, including social media, search, paid and earned media tactics
• Creative thinker who is willing to think outside of the box and consistently look for opportunities to improve current capabilities and processes
• Have solid experience with social listening tools such as NetBase Quid, Brandwatch, Talkwalker or Meltwater
• Knowledge of analytics tools including Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Tableau, or other analytics/data visualization tools
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
• Experience with influencer identification and marketing is a plus
• Data science, statistical analysis, research, or programming experience is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

The anticipated salary range for this position will be $95,000-$120,000. Salary is based on job-related factors such as: years of relevant experience, qualifications and/or certifications. Spectrum reserves the right to modify this pay range at any given time.

We want to ensure our employees are living their best (health and professional) life and offer a variety of benefits and perks which support our flexible work environment.

• All positions are remote friendly. At Spectrum, you choose where you work. We are a hybrid work environment with options to work in one of our three offices (D.C., New York, and Chicago), remotely from anywhere in the United States, or a combination.
• No matter where you work, you’ll benefit from the monthly cell phone reimbursement.
• Flexible time off. Take the time you need in addition to company holidays, voting time, jury duty and bereavement. We also offer a Sabbatical Program after 7 years of service.
• 13 weeks paid Parental Leave, inclusive of adoption and foster care placement.
• Continuous learning and development through Greatest Potential Self (proprietary talent program), tuition reimbursement programs, and in-hous 1:1 coaching with access to talent and productivity-based assessments.
• Bring your friends to work at Spectrum and earn a generous referral bonus.
• Medical concierge service to assist with scheduling appointments, finding care, estimating and resolving claim issues, etc.
• Thorough onboarding including accessible conversations with leadership.
• 401k with company match and 1:1 Financial Coaching and Education.
• Wellness benefits including medical, dental, vision, as well as science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools through Headspace.

Spectrum is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Spectrum is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact [e-mail]