Senior Audience & Impact Research Specialist

Vets Hired; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vets Hired is seeking a Senior Audience & Impact Research Specialist to lead qualitative research and impact measurement. You’ll design studies, analyze data, synthesize findings, and translate insights into strategic guidance for organizational decision-making.

You will collaborate with quantitative researchers, mentor junior staff, and present actionable recommendations to stakeholders to support integrated reporting and audience analysis.

Qualifications

• Designed and led qualitative research studies.
• Experience with surveys, interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research.
• Strong qualitative data analysis, synthesis, and research methodology skills.
• Ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication to present findings to non-technical audiences.
• Experience with impact or outcomes measurement frameworks.
• Experience mentoring junior researchers or research support staff.
• Experience with data visualization and mixed-method reporting.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative studies.
• Develop research methodologies and maintain quality standards.
• Code, analyze, and synthesize qualitative data into actionable findings.
• Validate qualitative research and coding performed by junior staff.
• Collaborate with quantitative researchers on integrated research and reporting.
• Support data visualization and prepare audience and impact reports.
• Present research findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Provide research expertise for organizational strategy and impact measurement.
• Maintain relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure research addresses needs.
• Provide guidance and direction to research support staff.
• Stay current on best practices in qualitative research and impact measurement.

Skills

Qualitative research design

Data analysis

Research methodology

Synthesis & reporting

Mentoring junior researchers

Data visualization

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Impact measurement

Quantitative collaboration

Education

Master's degree or higher

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Audience & Impact Research Specialist leads qualitative research and impact measurement activities, focusing on research methodology, data analysis, synthesis, and translating findings into strategic insights. The role combines qualitative research with quantitative collaboration to support integrated reporting, audience analysis, and organizational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other qualitative research studies.
• Develop research methodologies and maintain quality standards.
• Code, analyze, and synthesize qualitative data into actionable findings and recommendations.
• Validate qualitative research and coding performed by junior research staff.
• Collaborate with quantitative researchers and analysts on integrated research and reporting frameworks.
• Support data visualization and prepare audience and impact reports.
• Present research findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Provide research expertise for organizational strategy and impact measurement.
• Maintain relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure research addresses organizational needs.
• Provide guidance and direction to research support staff.
• Stay current on qualitative research and impact measurement best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience designing and leading qualitative research studies.
• Experience with surveys, interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research, or similar methods.
• Strong qualitative data analysis, synthesis, and research methodology skills.
• Ability to translate research findings into actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present findings to non-technical audiences.
• Experience with impact or outcomes measurement frameworks.
• Experience collaborating with quantitative researchers or analysts.
• Experience mentoring or directing junior researchers or research support staff.
• Experience with data visualization and mixed-method reporting.
• Master's or other advanced degree such as MA, MS, MBA, or JD.