Research Manager

South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism seeks a skilled economist to execute economic impact analyses and marketing research vital to promoting the state's tourism. You will design ad hoc data analyses, present findings, and respond to public requests for tourism information.

The role requires advanced research expertise, collaboration across agency teams, and ability to manage multiple projects with precision; onsite location at Recreational Grants & Policy.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in economics, statistics or a related field with at least four years of applied research experience in economic development or marketing research.
• Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics or a related field with at least six years experience in economic development or marketing research.

Responsibilities

• Provide tourism-related data and technical support to agency staff and stakeholders; respond to requests for tourism research information.
• Execute economic impact analyses benchmarking tourism performance at state/local levels.
• Design and execute marketing research studies to guide SCPRT's advertising programs and evaluate effectiveness.
• Coordinate and conduct research activities supporting agency strategic planning and goals.
• Collaborate with agency teams and external stakeholders; represent the section on agency teams.

Skills

Macro-economic modeling

Inferential statistics

Consumer research

Research design

Data analysis

Presenting findings

Project management

Microsoft Office

Statistical software

LLMs for research

Education

Master's degree in economics or statistics

Bachelor's degree with 6+ years experience

Tools

IMPLAN

REMI

SAS

SPSS

R

Job description

Job Responsibilities The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism is a cabinet agency assigned to operate and manage South Carolina's state parks, market the state as a preferred vacation destination and provide assistance to communities to develop recreation assets.

Job Purpose And Duties

Executes agency's economic impact analyses efforts related to parks, recreation and tourism; Executes agency's marketing research program related to marketing South Carolina as a tourism destination; plans and designs ad hoc data analyses and research projects; Presents research findings; Respond to requests from the general public for tourism-research related information. Participates in agency teams as needed.

• Provide tourism-related data and technical support to agency staff, government officials, industry partners and the general public on an ad hoc or periodical basis. Perform special duties as requested by the Agency Director, Chief of Staff, or Director of Recreation, Grants & Policy.
• Produce macro-economic analyses that benchmark and measure the contributions of tourism-related economic performance at state and local levels.
• Produce marketing research studies to provide strategic direction for SCPRT's advertising/marketing programs and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Recommend, coordinate and execute research activities that support and inform agency strategic planning, goals and objectives.
• Practice and promote teamwork within the program area, throughout the agency and with external agency stakeholders. Represents Section as an active member on agency teams assigned throughout the year.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

Master's degree in economics, statistics or a related field and at least four (4) years experience in applied research related to economic development or marketing research or a bachelor's degree in economics, statistics or a related field with at least six (6) years experience in economic development or marketing research.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to plan and manage projects and meet deadlines. Ability to plan, assign, direct and review the work of others. Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions. Ability to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously while exercising exceptional attention to detail; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to exercise discretion. Working knowledge of agency mission, policy, and procedure.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with macro-economic modeling, preferably related to tourism; considerable knowledge of inferential statistics and consumer research methods, preferably related to marketing research; ability to design complex research studies; knowledge of sampling and other data collection methods; Knowledge and experience with data handling and creating complex analyses; Extensive knowledge and experience related to presenting findings in written and oral format. Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office products; Extensive knowledge of and experience with economic and statistical analysis software (e.g. IMPLAN, REMI, SAS, SPSS, R); Some experience with using LLMs to conduct research.

Additional Comments

Actual Job Location: Recreational Grants & Policy

• This position is Monday-Friday, onsite (not a remote position).
• This position will supervise the Research Coordinator position.

The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism is an Equal Opportunity, Aff…