Account Supervisor/Senior Research Associate, Strategic Planning & Research

Hager Sharp is an independent marketing and communications agency owned by employees with a shared passion: Developing ideas that make a difference. We create award-winning campaigns that achieve results for organizations committed to improving health, advancing education, and transforming our communities—through communications that engage, motivate, and inspire in any and every medium that best reaches a particular audience, from earned to paid, digital to print, in-person to outdoor. If you’re looking for an agency where making a difference is in the DNA, come to Hager Sharp. We are seeking an Account Supervisor/Senior Research Associate to support our strategic planning, research, and evaluation team and to engage with our other asset groups, including our Health, Digital Strategy, Multicultural Marketing, and Education, Labor, and the Economy teams An Account Supervisor/Senior Research Associate within our strategic planning, research, and evaluation team is responsible for an array of qualitative and quantitative primary and secondary research tasks across Hager Sharp’s clients and for business development needs. They manage specific client projects as assigned by the project manager and ensure that client needs are met with guidance and oversight from senior members of the team. They provide consistent and reliable support, including “managing up” where necessary to ensure adherence to internal and client deadlines. They possess and demonstrate an emerging understanding of the agency business, have developed a range of research and communications skills (e.g., primary and secondary exploratory research, qualitative and quantitative research report, focus group moderation, business development, etc.), and are building strategic thinking skills. They support the efficient and successful pursuit of new business opportunities. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct primary and secondary exploratory research to inform various planning components, including target audience analysis and segmentation, literature reviews, environmental assessments, competitive reviews, communications audits, and traditional and digital media measurements
• Conduct research related to formative, process, outcomes, and impact evaluations for clients across the Firm
• Conduct research to support the development of strategic planning, research, and evaluation sections of proposals
• Support the development of various qualitative and quantitative research reports (e.g. reports for literature reviews, surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, etc.)
• Support the development of qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments, including survey questionnaires and interview guides
• Collaborate across practice centers (digital, creative, and media relations) and with account teams to develop research-informed strategies and tactics
• Support and moderate focus group sessions and conduct qualitative interviews
• Act as liaison to account team members on research-related deliverables
• Contribute to the development of manuscripts, presentations, and posters on research findings
• Deliver excellent client service, including attending promptly to client requests, monitoring client satisfaction, keeping senior leaders abreast of progress, developing and seeking input on solutions for any issues that arise, and ensuring that all work performed is strategic, creative, innovative, and error-free
• Support project manager(s) with basic financial management functions, including maintaining budget trackers, running charge activity reports, preparing forms for processing vendor and consultant invoices, and developing and verifying activity reports
• Support the quality control process (e.g., proofreading, formatting, editing) and ensure that all work performed is error-free
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects concurrently
• Establish and maintain strong relationships within each assigned client, as appropriate
• Maintain a timely and thorough understanding and awareness of key issues relating to client(s)
• Develop and write content for proposals (in narrative and/or presentation form)
• Support business development knowledge management activities, including developing case studies, capabilities documents, and capabilities presentations
• Support the coordination and management of proposals and other business development efforts
• Demonstrate behaviors that support inclusion, diversity, and equity
• Mentor junior staff to develop and enhance their client service, project management, and business development skills
• Demonstrate emerging skills in developing and delivering presentations in an effective, persuasive manner
• Demonstrate an emerging expertise in strategic communications, integrated marketing, and/or social marketing
• Demonstrate emerging thought leadership and actively seek visibility opportunities to bring positive recognition to the firm
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, research, statistics or related field
• At least 5 years of experience in communications or related field; experience in a communications agency setting a plus
• Strong writing, editing, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to provide consistent and reliable support, including balancing multiple projects well under tight deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and critically to advance client projects
• Proven experience in writing for various audiences as well as earned media outreach, social media, partnership outreach, materials development, and/or events management
• Demonstrated proficiency in communications and marketing tools (e.g., Cision) is preferred
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially creating and formatting documents in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Demonstrated proficiency in Adobe, especially creating and formatting documents in pdf
• Preferred, but not required: English-Spanish bilingual

Hager Sharp is an employee-owned firm (ESOP) known for its collegial, collaborative, and creative work environment.  Employee benefits include health and dental insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, flexible spending plans, 401(k) plan, exercise facilities, holidays, paid personal and sick leave.  Employees are also eligible for stock shares.  Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.