Research Analyst

Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, Inc.; California (MO); Remote; USD 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, a leading public opinion research firm, is seeking a Research Analyst to engage in strategic political and communications research. This remote-first role involves conducting research, developing messaging strategies, and coordinating multiple projects for nonprofit and political campaigns. Applicants should possess strong organizational skills, experience in public opinion research, and proficiency in communication strategies. A college degree and relevant experience are required.

Benefits

Paid vacation accrual

Paid holidays

Company-funded medical insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years professional experience in public opinion research or strategic political communications.
• Experience with political campaigning, social change, or advocacy issues preferred.
• Skills in statistical analysis and fluency in Spanish are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, analyze, and communicate findings from research projects.
• Develop communications and messaging recommendations based on research.
• Coordinate project timelines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Skills

Organizational skills

Writing

Editing

Detail-oriented

Statistical analysis

Communication

Education

College degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

SPSS

Stata

R

Job description

Goodwin Simon Strategic Research (GSSR) is seeking a Research Analyst to engage in strategic political and communications research with the firm’s Oakland, CA-based Partners, Research Directors and Senior Research Analysts. Applicants should have direct experience with public opinion research and with strategic political communications (e.g. using research findings to develop strategic communications and messaging and/or advising on communication strategies for issue-based, social change, or political campaigns). You can live anywhere in the U.S. for this job and work remotely.

GSSR is a progressive, independent public opinion research firm that conducts cutting-edge quantitative and qualitative research to develop strategic communications to advance social change. Our research team brings our expertise in politics, public policy, and communications to our work for nonprofit and issue advocacy organizations, foundations, labor unions and ballot measure and candidate campaigns. Over the last dozen years, we have developed a whole new approach to public opinion research, message development, and message delivery (see www.heartwiredforchange.com ).

GSSR is a remote-first firm: staff work remotely but gather for in-person meetings and activities as needed throughout the year. This position requires travel. Candidates for this position must be based in the U.S. and be able to travel, as needed, to the Oakland, California area as well as to other parts of the U.S. for client meetings, conferences, trainings, and qualitative research such as focus groups.

The Research Analyst plays a key role in all stages of the research and strategic communications process, and in managing the project work flows and project timelines, including:

• Conducting, analyzing and communicating about research, including both orally and in writing;
• Applying research findings to develop communications and messaging recommendations, and strategies for engagement with target audiences;
• Participating in the development of qualitative and quantitative research instruments;
• Coordinating and supporting the Research Directors and Senior Research Analysts in managing multiple concurrent projects across a variety of issues;
• Developing and tracking project timelines to ensure deliverables are produced to meet deadlines;
• Overseeing survey data collection and fielding;
• Overseeing focus group recruiting and logistics;
• Conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis of survey and focus group data;
• Synthesizing key findings and producing toplines and PowerPoint presentations;
• Drafting report content;
• Working with clients;
• Providing proofing and quality assurance throughout the research process;
• Managing other project related responsibilities, as needed; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Goodwin Simon Strategic Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people of different backgrounds and with different life experiences to apply. Our organization has fostered a culture of inclusion with our staff, in which each member of our team enriches all of us with their diverse perspectives.

The successful applicant will have a college degree or more education and a minimum of 3 to 5 years of professional, full-time employment experience, post-college, in public opinion research and/or strategic political communications.

In particular, we are looking for someone who has prior political experience on ballot measure campaigns, candidate campaigns, other issue-based, social change, or political campaigns, or in a politically-oriented work environment.

We are also looking for a strong project coordinator who can coordinate project timelines, help keep projects on task, is highly organized and detail-oriented, and can operate effectively in a fast-paced environment while juggling multiple projects and deadlines.

We cannot emphasize enough how much this job requires strong organizational, writing, proofreading, editing, and multi-tasking skills; comfort working with numbers; and strong attention to detail. The successful applicant will be able to balance many different responsibilities and meet quick deadlines as a member of a small hardworking team working in a fast-paced environment where multiple projects are occurring at the same time.

In addition, this job requires direct interaction with clients—in writing, on the phone/Zoom, and in-person. As such, we are looking for applicants who communicate professionally and with confidence in these situations.

Previous professional experience working side-by-side with colleagues, the ability to work independently, and computer skills—including experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)—are also necessary.

If you have experience conducting advanced statistical analysis using SPSS, Stata, R or other statistical packages, please include in your cover letter a description of your skills (this is not required but is a plus).

If you are a Spanish speaker with advanced reading, writing and speaking skills in Spanish, those skills will definitely be put to work in this role.

While the position is remote, GSSR hosts in-person staff gatherings and work travel will be required. As such, proof of COVID vaccination is required for our employees. (Reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs and medical matters reviewed).

Salary is commensurate with the kinds of experience that are directly relevant for our firm and how our firm conducts research. Salary for this position starts at $75,000. There is potential for growth within the company based on work performance. Benefits include two weeks of paid vacation accrual, paid holidays, including leave from December 24 through January 1, company-funded medical insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to [e-mail]. Please, no phone calls.

Candidates who wish to be considered may be asked to submit a writing sample and/or participate in a brief writing and data analysis, and translation test as part of the screening process if you are including fluency in a language other than English in your qualifications.