Associate Director of Research

Position Title: Associate Director of Research

Position Location: Candidates are welcome to apply from across the U.S. Those that are near a Popular Democracy office in DC or Brooklyn may be asked to work from the office one or two days/week if necessary. Applicants outside of those areas may be required to travel to a Popular Democracy office occasionally.

Popular Democracy is seeking an Associate Director of Research to join the Fightback Department. This is a full-time, exempt position.

About Popular Democracy:

Popular Democracy works to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We work with 50 affiliates in 34 states and DC to build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations that envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position:

We are seeking an Associate Director of Research that will drive the production of sense-making research materials. This work will include supervising a Research Analyst and overseeing the work of the Research team. The methods of research include strategic campaign research, data gathering and analysis, and creating campaign and community education materials. The Associate Research Director will identify and foster research engagement opportunities for external researchers, allies, and partners. The Research team’s work will engage affiliates and communities in understanding Fightback efforts and agitate them into action.

It is expected that the Associate Director of Research will travel and attend in-person meetings and events, including staff and team retreats approximately once every two months.

We estimate that candidates will have about 12 years of relevant experience, but our review of candidates for this role will focus on whether they can fill the needs of the position, not years of experience.

The Associate Director of Research will supervise the Research Analyst and will report to the Chief of Fightback.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Associate Director of Research will:

• Drive the direction and production of research materials in collaboration with Senior leadership.
• Oversee research support across departments and throughout the network.
• Develop structures for coordination and collaboration around research between the Fightback, Organizing, and Communications and Narrative teams.
• Work collaboratively with external partners and allies to identify opportunities for and shape high-impact research that drives Popular Democracy’s initiatives.
• Lead the development of sophisticated, impactful, and politically relevant analyses, working collaboratively to explore emerging issues and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
• Expand and deepen internal and external research partnerships that advance the organization’s core vision.
• Supervise the Research Analyst.
• Provide coaching and strategic guidance to Popular Democracy staff and the network.
• Drive a fundraising plan to meet established objectives.
• Other related duties as needed and assigned.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Significant experience in research, including experience with base-building, community, or labor organizations.
• Ability to manage high-quality campaign research materials, including creating campaign and community education materials.
• Familiarity with designing strategic and campaigns-oriented research projects in partnership with community organizations.
• Familiarity with socioeconomic and political data sets and statistical methods.
• Ability to conceptualize high-impact new projects and research agendas, policy priorities and content, and new work areas in alignment with evolving strategic goals and a changing political landscape.
• Experience as a supervisor of research staff, and manager of research projects in collaboration with base-building community organizations or in strategic campaigns settings.
• An ability to effectively communicate and collaborate across lines of difference.
• Fundraising knowledge, experience, and success.
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep understanding of challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, communities of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ folks, and people at the intersections of the above communities.