Research Manager

Job Description

GENERAL FUNCTION:

The Research Manager will drive data-informed strategies by analyzing audience behaviors, content performance and industry trends to inform programming, marketing, partnerships and fundraising strategies. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical mindset, deep understanding of news and information media analytics and consumption trends, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights that support content development and audience engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conducts in-depth research on audience behaviors, content performance and media consumption trends across TV, digital, social media, audio and emerging platforms.

Tracks and analyzes key performance indicators (KPIs) such as engagement rates, viewership and retention metrics to provide data-driven insights.

Analyzes audience and market data to identify opportunities for business development, sponsorships and fundraising initiatives, providing insights that support revenue growth and strategic partnerships.

Creates and delivers comprehensive research reports and visualizations to inform decision-making across content, programming, marketing and partnerships.

Identifies emerging trends and opportunities by analyzing competitor content strategies and industry best practices.

Collaborates with cross-functional teams to provide insights that enhance content development, programming and distribution strategies.

Utilizes analytics tools such as Comscore, Google Analytics, social media insights and other audience measurement platforms to assess content performance.

Prepares monthly competitive analysis reports on audience engagement, platform effectiveness and media trends.

Stays up to date on evolving media technologies, new content platforms and industry shifts to ensure the organization remains competitive.

Supports audience segmentation and targeting strategies to optimize content reach and engagement.

Presents findings and strategic recommendations to leadership in a clear, concise manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

BACKGROUND SKILLS:

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Data Science, Analytics, Media Studies or a related field.

Minimum of six years in research, content analytics or strategic initiatives, preferably in media or communications.

Strong ability to synthesize complex data, identify key insights and translate them into actionable recommendations.

Understanding of content consumption patterns across linear TV, digital, social and audio platforms.

Proficiency in linear TV analytics (Comscore), Google Analytics, social media analytics (Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube), podcast analytics platforms (Megaphone), Excel, PowerPoint and other data visualization tools.

Passion for media, journalism and the evolving digital landscape, with a keen awareness of audience engagement trends.

Strong interest in and awareness of public policy, politics and government, with the ability to contextualize media trends within the broader political and public affairs landscape.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey data-driven insights to non-technical audiences.

Self-starter with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while managing multiple projects.

Ability to work effectively with executives and various teams, including content creators, marketing, partnerships and fundraising.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and deadlines.

Full-time