Investigative Researcher

Longwell Partners; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range

401(k) matching

Medical insurance

Downtown DC location

Career growth

Job summary

Longwell Partners in Washington, DC is seeking an Investigative Researcher to conduct deep-dive investigations into political actors, donors, and networks. You’ll identify threads, build roadmaps, and write long-form profiles that inform our communications strategy.

The role demands sharp research instincts, newsroom storytelling chops, and a readiness to collaborate with journalists and independent media partners. On-site five days a week in downtown DC is required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in investigative journalism or political research.
• A portfolio of published or produced work
• Hands-on familiarity with public records research and databases such as LexisNexis, FEC, IRS, SEC, FOIA

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth investigations into political actors, organizations, and donors, building research roadmaps, tracking key targets, and developing comprehensive written profiles.
• Analyze IRS 990 filings, FEC disclosures, SEC records, state charity filings, corporate registrations, and other public data to track funding flows and surface key relationships.
• Submit and interpret public records requests; know what to ask for, how to get it, and what to do with it once you have it.
• Produce accurate, well-sourced long‑form profiles, memos, and reports ready for use by communications and media partners.
• Monitor relevant political news to identify emerging stories, new angles, and rapid‑response opportunities.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure findings reach journalists, independent media creators, and wide audiences.

Skills

Investigative journalism

Political research

Public records research

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

LexisNexis

FEC databases

IRS filings

SEC filings

FOIA requests

Secretary of State searches

Job description

Longwell Partners is a full-service, pro-democracy communications firm based in Washington, DC. We specialize in high-profile political projects—including The Bulwark , Home of the Brave , and Republican Voters Against Trump —and we’re looking for an Investigative Researcher to conduct deep-dive investigations into the organizations, funders, and networks shaping today’s political landscape.

If you love digging into public records, following the money, and turning what you find into writing that holds people and organizations accountable, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

This role is for someone who can do it all: identify a thread worth pulling, dig until they’ve found everything there is to find, and write it up the way a skilled journalist would. You’ll work closely with our communications team, but the writing starts with you. The ideal candidate has the research instincts of an investigator and the storytelling chops of a reporter.

Your Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth investigations into political actors, organizations, and donors, building research roadmaps, tracking key targets, and developing comprehensive written profiles.
• Analyze IRS 990 filings, FEC disclosures, SEC records, state charity filings, corporate registrations, and other public data to track funding flows and surface key relationships.
• Submit and interpret public records requests; know what to ask for, how to get it, and what to do with it once you have it.
• Produce accurate, well-sourced long‑form profiles, memos, and reports ready for use by communications and media partners.
• Monitor relevant political news to identify emerging stories, new angles, and rapid‑response opportunities.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure findings reach journalists, independent media creators, and wide audiences.

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years of experience in investigative journalism, political research, or a closely related field, with a demonstrated ability to take a story from initial research through a polished, long‑form written product.
• A portfolio of published or produced work that shows you can write with clarity, precision, and a strong sense of story.
• Hands‑on familiarity with research databases and public records, including LexisNexis, FEC databases, IRS filings, Secretary of State entity searches, SEC filings, and FOIA requests, or a demonstrated ability to learn fast.
• Sharp political instincts and a firm grasp of the current political and advocacy landscape; you know the players, the networks, and how the game is played.
• Meticulous attention to detail; you don’t put your name on anything you can’t back up.
• A relentless approach to investigation. You find angles others miss and don’t stop digging until you’ve exhausted every lead.
• Ability to be in the office (downtown DC) five days a week. This is not a remote or hybrid opportunity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Experience with network mapping, financial analysis, or data tools that surface relationships across large datasets.
• Comfortable using AI tools to make research faster and more thorough.
• Background in political campaigns, advocacy, investigative journalism, or public interest work.
• Familiarity with political nonprofit networks, undisclosed funding structures, and the broader constellation of politically active organizations on the left and right.

Why Join Us?

• Salary range: $60,000 – $85,000, commensurate with experience
• 401(k) matching program
• 100% covered medical insurance
• Metro-accessible, downtown DC location
• Opportunities to learn, innovate, and advance within a mission‑driven, high‑performance team