Marketing Research Manager (Top Secret cleared)

ICF Olson; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 81,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF Next seeks a Marketing Research Manager/Strategist to support a high-visibility federal client in the national security space. This fully onsite role is in a secure government environment in Washington, DC, with close collaboration to client stakeholders.

You will analyze market trends, audience insights, and campaign performance to inform recruitment marketing and measurement frameworks, translating data into actionable insights for targeting and messaging.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required.
• Ability to work onsite full-time in Washington, DC.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, economics, or a related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in marketing research, analytics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market, audience, and competitive research to support recruitment marketing strategies.
• Analyze marketing and campaign performance data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Develop insights and recommendations to improve targeting, messaging, and engagement.
• Support development of audience segmentation and data-informed marketing approaches.
• Collaborate onsite with government stakeholders and cross-functional teams to align research with program objectives.
• Contribute to reporting, briefings, and presentations for stakeholders.
• Utilize analytics and marketing technology platforms to monitor performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assist in development of measurement frameworks, tracking methodologies, and KPIs.

Job description

Company

At ICF Next, we are driven by the opportunity to solve complex challenges that matter. Our teams combine expertise in science, technology, analytics, and program management to help government clients tackle critical national priorities. We are fearless in exploring new ideas, relentless in delivering results for our clients, and committed to making a meaningful impact. We bring together strategists, creatives, technologists, and communicators to deliver integrated marketing and recruitment solutions that strengthen mission-driven organizations.

Work

ICF Next is seeking a Marketing Research Manager/Strategist to support a high-visibility federal client within the national security space, focused on large-scale recruitment marketing and employer branding initiatives. This is a fully onsite role within a secure government environment requiring close, day-to-day collaboration with client stakeholders. The role supports data-informed strategy development by analyzing market trends, audience insights, and campaign performance to inform recruitment marketing efforts and improve overall program effectiveness. The role operates at the intersection of research, analytics, and marketing, translating data into actionable insights that support targeting, messaging, and campaign optimization in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Job Location

Onsite – Washington, DC (government facility, Metro accessible). All work is performed onsite in a secure federal environment. Limited telework may be authorized only as permitted by the client and contract requirements.

What You Will Do

• Conduct market, audience, and competitive research to support recruitment marketing strategies
• Analyze marketing and campaign performance data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Develop insights and recommendations to improve targeting, messaging, and engagement
• Support development of audience segmentation and data-informed marketing approaches
• Collaborate onsite with government stakeholders and cross-functional teams to align research with program objectives
• Contribute to reporting, briefings, and presentations for stakeholders
• Utilize analytics and marketing technology platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI, and platform-native analytics across paid media and social channels) to monitor performance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Assist in development of measurement frameworks, tracking methodologies (e.g., UTM tagging, conversion tracking, and cross-channel attribution), and performance benchmarks to support KPI reporting and optimization
• Support integration and alignment of data across platforms (e.g., CRM/email systems, web analytics, and media platforms) to enable cohesive reporting and full-funnel performance insights
• Identify emerging trends in workforce behavior and digital engagement
• Support ongoing optimization efforts through testing and analysis

Basic Qualifications

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required
• Ability to work onsite full-time in Washington, DC
• U.S. citizenship required
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, economics, or a related field
• 3+ years of professional experience in marketing research, analytics, or related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting federal government or public-sector programs
• Familiarity with recruitment marketing or employer branding
• Experience analyzing data to generate actionable insights
• Experience using analytics and reporting tools such as Google Analytics (GA4), Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms to interpret performance data and generate insights
• Familiarity with digital marketing analytics, including paid media, social media, and web performance measurement

Professional Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across teams

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future. We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist.

All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Candidate AI Usage Policy At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: $81,147.00 - $137,949.00 DC Client Office (DC88)

About ICF

ICF is a global consulting and technology services company with approximately 9,000 employees, but we are not your typical consultants. At ICF, business analysts and policy specialists work together with digital strategists, data scientists and creatives. We combine unmatched industry expertise with cutting-edge engagement capabilities to help organizations solve their most complex challenges. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the future. Learn more at icf.com.