Researcher

ABOUT COLOR OF CHANGE

Color Of Change is the nation's largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by millions of members, we campaign on issues of criminal justice, economic justice, voter freedom, big tech, and culture change and work to move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org to learn more.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Researcher works within the Campaigns Department to conduct research and analyze data to inform the organization's strategic goals for a wide range of campaigns and programs. The Researcher will synthesize this data to produce a variety of internal and external products for many audiences, which could include strategy decks, infographics, reports, and other related documents, ensuring they align with Color Of Change’s overarching goal of making the world better for Black people and contribute to informed decision-making within the department and the organization. Researchers are required to meet in person occasionally in Washington D.C. or New York, NY offices.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research Plan Development: Develop and lead the completion of research plans by collaborating with cross-functional teams to define research objectives, methodologies, and timelines that allow the department to effectively address current and emerging issues that impact Black people. This type of research could include:
• Corporate Industry: Conduct research on corporate entities to evaluate the impact of industry dynamics and identify opportunities and threats that can impact Black people; Provide insights and recommendations on potential impacts and strategic implications for Color Of Change strategic initiatives. 
• Government (Federal, Local, State Affairs): Conduct research on legislative and regulatory issues impacting government affairs initiatives, including research on candidates, officials, and ballot and legislative initiatives, to support strategic decision-making and advocacy efforts.
• Landscape Analysis: Conduct targeted research to provide an understanding of the landscape of a particular sector, field, or other categories, including key individuals, organizations, challenges, and emerging trends, to inform strategic decision-making and guide future research directions.
• Fact-Checking: Verify data accuracy through accredited sources and ensure research data is credible and accurate.
• Data Synthesizing: Synthesize relevant data to produce clear and concise research reports that summarize findings, make an analysis of this data, and make informed recommendations for the department and organization’s strategic initiatives. This could include scaling the data to create communication that translates complex information effectively to diverse audiences, including policymakers, government officials, and the general public.; corporate industry analysis memos; general data memos; talking points for internal members; strategy decks; infographics; reports; websites; and other work products.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilize mechanisms for tracking research projects as part of larger department and organizational projects. 
• Support the department and the organization in research products to inform convenings, panels, coalitions, and other special projects to build upon the department’s strategy.
• Represent Color Of Change in working groups, coalitions, and cross-organizational projects during research periods.  
• Participate in the development and training of research concepts and skills for internal team members and external partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• At least 2 + years of experience in campaign research and related skills, including strong competency with research tools, internet searching, familiarity with databases and spreadsheet applications, and experience with business, financial, legal, and political concepts.
• Strong critical thinking, writing, and verbal skills. The ability to communicate information clearly is fundamental to this role, including a variety of public communications with varied audiences, as well as internal reports, strategy decks, memos, and other strategy-related documents. 
• Deep intellectual curiosity, creativity, and the ability to quickly learn new skills 
• Excellent interpersonal skills. You are confident in interacting with other staff, external partners, organizations, and consultants.
• Attention to detail. Ability to maintain high levels of accuracy and assist the team with fact-checking and ensuring public communications are clear and correct. 
• Top-notch organization skills.  Experience managing multiple priorities and timeliness is key.
• A coherent racial justice analysis.
• Ability to effectively use a Black/racial justice frame of reference to write strong and persuasive strategic plans and program development materials.
• A commitment to confidentiality. In this role, you’ll have a window into movement and organizational politics at the highest level – confidentiality is key.
• Constructive optimism. The work that we do – be it political, organizing, or creative – is all about the art of the possible. While we’re looking to remedy deep structural issues, our progress comes incrementally – a series of wins, some small and some large, that help advance us closer to the systemic change we seek. 
• Flexibility. Willingness to adapt to changing needs and to travel as needed. 

MORE INFORMATION

Location: New York, NY or Washington, D.C.  

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employees Report to this Position: No

Job Classification: Bargaining Unit

Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Research Director

COMPENSATION

The salary range for the Researcher position is $76,000 - $79,800. Color Of Change also offers a competitive benefits package. This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should click the "Apply for this position" link and submit a resume and COC-specific cover letter. Applications will be received on a rolling basis.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Working at Color Of Change (COC), you should be prepared to work remotely and/or in the assigned office location when hired. This position requires working core hours, Monday - Friday, on a laptop for most of the work day and additional time as required by job duties. We are not offering U.S. visa sponsorship for this role.

Color Of Change is an equal-opportunity employer. Color Of Change prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic characteristics, disability, status as a special disabled veteran or veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity or any other basis prohibited by law.