Change Research: Principal Researcher, Campaign /Candidate

Job Post; United States; Remote; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A research organization is seeking a Principal Researcher with expertise in public opinion research and a passion for business development. The candidate will lead projects, innovate with technology, and mentor team members. A strong network in political campaigns and 5+ years of experience are essential. The role offers a competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Company-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible paid time off

Access to pre-tax 401K retirement program

Stipend for home office setup

Stock options

Paid family leave

Qualifications

• 5+ years in polling, public opinion research, or political campaigns.
• Proven track record of leading high-profile projects.
• Skilled communicator with a strong reputation in the industry.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end execution of complex polling projects.
• Cultivate and expand a strong network of clients.
• Embrace new approaches using AI and technology.
• Guide strategic recommendations based on rigorous data.
• Collaborate with teams to refine methodologies.
• Support and coach Analysts and Senior Analysts.

Skills

Public opinion research

Business development

Client relationship management

Data analysis

Mentor and coach

Tools

AI and advanced analytics

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a Principal Researcher who combines deep expertise in public opinion research with a strong entrepreneurial drive. This role is ideal for an accomplished pollster or survey researcher—especially one with political campaign and candidate-based experience—who has built a strong client base, is adept at research analysis and client relationships, and is excited to leverage Change Research’s innovative, tech-powered tools to deliver fast, scalable, and impactful insights.

The right candidate will thrive in business development, contribute to growing our client portfolio, and bring an independent, go-getter spirit. You will not only deliver outstanding research but also act as a strategic partner, helping clients turn data into decisions at the speed and scale today’s environment demands.

The salary range is $105,000–$130,000 annually, commensurate with experience, and includes benefits listed below.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead Client Research Projects: Own end-to-end execution of complex polling projects, including design, fielding, weighting, analysis, and delivery of actionable insights.

• Drive Growth & Business Development: Cultivate and expand a strong network of clients, with particular focus on campaign, candidate, advocacy, and public-sector opportunities. Proactively seek and close new business, leveraging both personal networks and outbound strategies.

• Innovate with AI & Technology: Embrace and champion new approaches—particularly the use of AI and advanced analytics—to improve speed, efficiency, and scale of research delivery.

• Act as a Trusted Advisor: Guide high-level conversations with clients, connecting rigorous data with strategic recommendations that address complex challenges.

• Shape Change Research’s Evolution: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine methodologies, improve internal tools, and identify opportunities for new products and service offerings.

• Mentor & Elevate Team Members: Support and coach Analysts and Senior Analysts, strengthening organizational capacity while modeling excellence and speed.

About You

• Experienced: 5+ years in polling, public opinion research, political campaigns, or adjacent fields. A proven track record of leading high-profile projects and delivering strategic insights.

• Entrepreneurial: You bring a great set of relationships, a well-established reputation in the industry, and a growing network in the political candidate space.

• Tech-Forward: Eager to experiment with AI, product development, and other innovations to scale research without sacrificing rigor.

• Fast & Strategic: You balance speed and precision, able to move forward multiple high-stakes projects with tight timelines, while coaching others to do the same.

• Relationship-Oriented: Skilled communicator who builds and maintains trusted client relationships, including at the executive level.

• Mentor-Minded: Invested in developing colleagues’ skills and contributing to a collaborative, solutions-oriented culture.

You Might Be a Great Fit for This Role If You…

• Thrive on independence and take initiative to drive results without needing heavy oversight.

• Have built trusted client relationships and can point to repeat business or long-term partnerships.

• Are motivated by growth opportunities and see business development as a natural extension of your research expertise.

• Enjoys experimenting with and incorporating new technologies, including AI, to enhance speed, quality, and impact.

• Balance strategic vision with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” approach to execution.

• Can seamlessly switch between high-level client conversations and deep methodological detail.

• Are passionate about using data to shape campaigns, causes, or public narratives.

• Value mentorship and team-building as part of your professional identity.

What Your Week Might Look Like

• Running impactful, multi-phase projects that deliver dead-on accurate results and give clients confidence to act fast.

• Meeting new candidates, campaigns, and causes where our innovative methods can make the world more humane, scientific, and just—and turning those introductions into lasting partnerships.

• Dreaming up new ways to use AI and tech to speed up workflows, scale capacity, and push the limits of what public opinion research can do.

• Jumping into cross-team brainstorms to refine products, sharpen methodologies, and build something bigger together.

• Mentoring an enthusiastic (and delightfully nerdy) team, swapping ideas, building skills, and celebrating wins along the way.

Performance Metrics

• Growth in new business revenue generated and accounts expanded.

• Speed and accuracy in project delivery (measured against timelines, client satisfaction, and electoral results).

• Adoption of AI/tech-driven approaches that reduce time-to-insight or expand capacity.

• Retention and satisfaction of high-profile clients.

• Mentorship outcomes (measured through analyst development and promotion).

• Thought leadership (speaking, publishing, or visibility-building activities).

Compensation and Work Environment

The salary range is $105,000–$130,000 annually, commensurate with experience, and includes these benefits:

• Company-subsidized medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

• Flexible paid time off, sick days, and company holidays.

• Access to pre-tax 401K retirement program.

• Fully remote work environment; some travel may be required.

• Stipend to outfit your home office.

• Stock options.

• Paid family leave.

You must be authorized to work in the United States.

We value a diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other. We strongly encourage everyone to apply, regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs, abilities, political attitudes, experience, and other characteristics.

Change Research is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.