Director, Insights & Intelligence

Rational 360 is hiring a Director, Insights & Intelligence to expand the firm’s integrated data approach for clients. This is a mid-level research role ideal for someone with a background in market research, consumer insights and/or social intelligence.

This is a growth-oriented position that will strengthen our core offering around intelligence products by providing training and quality assurance to junior staff, and evolve our approach to primary research projects by cultivating expertise and spearheading new technologies.

About Rational 360

Rational 360 is a leading, independently-owned, strategic communications and public affairs firm with expertise across media relations, public policy, corporate reputation, and digital strategy. Our bipartisan team members work with clients including Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, national nonprofits, and advocacy groups operating in highly regulated and politically sensitive environments. We are entrepreneurial, client-focused, and committed to results.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end research projects, including analyses across the social, news and broadcast media landscape; as well as primary research vehicles such as surveys, focus groups and in-depth interviews.
• Spearhead research offerings at the intersection of data and AI. For example, this can include innovating the firm’s capabilities around synthetic polling, AI-moderated qualitative sessions and/or generative engine optimization (GEO).
• Manage relationships with sample providers, recruiting partners, and panel vendors to ensure high-quality respondent recruitment and data integrity.
• Participate in industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to expand client relationships and stay abreast of market trends.
• Serve as a leader to junior staff and interns, providing training and quality control.

Requirements

• 5+ years of research experience, either in a marketing/communications or agency/consulting setting. This can include a background in opinion research, consumer insights and/or social listening.
• An aptitude for data storytelling and transforming raw findings into compelling insights, underpinned an ability to draft clear written communication, develop creative data visualizations, and deliver engaging presentations as well as survey results and crosstabs.
• History working directly with clients or internal stakeholders to translate complex needs into actionable research methodologies.
• Comfort driving multiple aspects of the research process, from drafting initial questionnaire or discussion guide documents, to packaging findings with thoughtful analysis.
• Experience with survey design and execution, mitigating response bias and ensuring accurate logic, quotas, and weighting setup. 
• In addition to the management of individual vendors, this can include exposure to recruiting platforms (ex: Prolific, Respondent.io, User Interviews), participant panels (ex: Toluna, Dynata, Cint), syndicated databases (ex: Mintel, Statista, IBIS World) and programming/hosting technology (ex: Qualtrics, Alchemer, Forsta).
• Familiarity with social listening and media intelligence, including proficiency with one or more related tools (ex: Brandwatch, Talkwalker, Meltwater, Quid, Audiense) and knowledge of Boolean search logic.
• Demonstrated ingenuity in pioneering AI-powered solutions to address business challenges.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Benefits

Rational 360 offers competitive compensation including year-end bonuses and a 401K match for full-time employees. Rational 360 is part of a unique group of companies that share ownership with employees though an ESOP.  Every employee has a stake in the Company's success. This is a long-term wealth-building retirement benefit. Full-time staff members are eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance. The salary range for this role is $80,000 - $105,000.

We offer employees paid time off, paid holidays off, paid family leave, sick leave, and a flexible work schedule around the holidays which include the office closing between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Full-time employees are expected to work in our Washington, DC office Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week and have the option to work remotely each Tuesday and Friday. Additionally, employees can take up to two (2) additional weeks of remote workdays during the calendar year.

Employees have the opportunity to continue to grow their skills with professional development in the office or remotely. Rational 360 hosts weekly all-staff professional development trainings led by a leader at Rational 360 or by an expert brought in from outside of Rational 360 to lead the trainings.

Each employee is paired with a senior member of the management team at Rational which will serve as his or her mentor throughout the year to continue to grow in his or her career at Rational.

Rational 360 is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.