Research Manager or Sr. Research Manager

americansunited; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care premiums paid

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

401(k) with match

Commuter subsidy

Job summary

Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington, DC, seeks a Research Manager (Senior Research Manager) to lead polling and public policy research efforts and to produce public-facing resources that advance church-state separation.

The role sits in the Public Policy Department and collaborates across AU to support policy work, education initiatives, and organizing efforts, including presenting findings to lawmakers, coalitions, and the public. Hybrid work available.

Qualifications

• Experience with polling projects and public resource generation.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues for a general audience.
• Strong editing and writing for a general audience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute AU's nationwide and state polling program.
• Propose and generate resources for policymakers and the public.
• Collaborate with AU departments and vendors to produce resources.
• Represent AU publicly to support church-state separation.

Skills

Research

Writing

Polling

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

About Americans United

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all of us. Founded in 1947, Americans United is a diverse and dynamic organization composed of people from all walks of life: lawyers and lobbyists, students and activists, religious leaders and impassioned Americans. AU includes people of faith and people who don’t profess any particular faith. It is a community that welcomes people of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work

Position Summary

The Research ManagerorSr.ResearchManager will bean innovative self-starter and an effective researcher and writerwho is excited to collaborate with a dynamic team and organization, working together to fight for freedom without favor,and equality without exception.

This is a new role within AU’s revamped strategic initiative to generate research and resources that build support for church-state separation. Although the role will sit within AU’s Public Policy Department and part of the role will be to analyze and support AU’s policy efforts, a successful candidate will also work across the organization to create public-facing resources that support AU’s organizing and narrative change efforts.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities will be adjusted to match the candidate’s level of experience.

Developandexecute AU’s polling program

• Envision and create a strategic plan for AU’snationwide and state-basedpolling program in consultation with all program departments and the Chief Program Officer, including goals, cadence, workflow, and budget.
• Manage the execution of the polling program, including contracting with and liaising with vendors, creating workproduct, andanalyzing and summarizingresults.
• Developand deliverpresentationscommunicating pollingresults to key stakeholdersand partners, includingcoalitions,stateand federal lawmakers, the public,and other audiences.
• Support AU departments in the effective use of polling results.

Develop and supportAU’spublic policy work andeducation initiative

• Propose and generate resources for policymakers and for thegeneral publicthateducateon the importance of church-state separation andprovide tools formobilizing people, including reports, blog posts, talking points, and other advocacy materials.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative researchand analysisin supportoffederal andstatepublic policy work andthe education initiative, includingbasicdata analysis,policy analysis,monitoringand tracking of relevant legal and policy trends,and interviews.
• Collaborate with all AU departments as well as vendorsto produceresources.
• Represent AU publicly in support of our efforts to advance support for church-state separation.

Skills and Experience

*Research shows candidates from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for positions when they don't meet 100% of listed requirements; please consider applying even if you don't match 100% of these criteria.

Americans United seeks a candidate with minimum of 4 years of work experience for the Research Manager role, including experience with polling projects and public resourcegeneration. Candidates with 7 or more years of experience may qualify for the Research Senior Manager role.

Additionally, the candidate ideally:

• Has exceptional analytical and writing skills, including writing for a general audience. The candidate should be able to break down complex legal and policy concepts for lay audiences.
• Is detail-oriented and has sharp copy-editing and proof-reading skills.
• Is a self-starter who takes initiative and gets excited about identifying and developing new projects and opportunities to pursue.
• Is committed to advancing the public interest and the separation of religion and government.
• Has experience with graphics and visual communications.
• Has the interpersonal skills to work well with our staff, vendors, and partners.
• Is demonstrably committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and to fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment.

Americans United welcomes applicants of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions and beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues and with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

This is a hybrid position that primarily involves working from a home office and/or professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and video conferencing tools. It requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, communicate effectively, and occasionally move about within the workspace.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the position is $82,335-$109,777. This stated range includes a 5% locality pay adjustment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The successful candidate’s placement within that range will be consistent with AU’s compensation framework, which is based on role placement and years of related experience.

Americans United offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid premiums for health care, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) with match, and commuter subsidy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AU is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation for a disability to apply to this position, please let us know by emailing [e-mail].

Application Information

We will only be accepting applications from candidates who currently live in or would be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC metro area.