Arena Careers

The Role

• Stay at the forefront of political science and civic engagement research, both public and private, on voter behavior, persuasion, mobilization, and organizing, as well as the cutting-edge methodologies that can be used to measure their effectiveness.
• Ensure Analyst Institute’s work is innovative and of the highest standards of quality.
• Provide general vision and direction for Analyst Institute’s research program. In doing so, manage two deputy directors who oversee all research and analytics staff and provide day-to-day project oversight.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including fellow researchers, as well as programmatic partners, donors and their advisors, and consultants to support their understanding and application of research findings in keeping with real-world needs.
• Guide the analysis, synthesis, and translation of research findings into actionable and accessible insights via published reports, briefings, presentations, and other materials.

• A passion for promoting evidence-informed decision-making in campaigns and civic engagement efforts.
• Experience conducting methodologically sophisticated social science research, including RCTs and mixed-methods projects with nonprofit organizations, political campaigns, and/or advocacy groups, with a track record of applying the most rigorous measurement techniques available for the topic of inquiry.
• Experience setting the general direction, standards, and tone of a large research program.
• Up-to-date knowledge of research on individual and group-level voter behavior, political persuasion, and mobilization, including academic and private progressive research.
• A strong understanding of political and civic engagement campaigns, including how digital tools, artificial intelligence, and social media shape modern organizing.
• Demonstrated experience of interpreting, synthesizing, and translating research findings into actionable insights for diverse audiences, including via written media and verbal presentations.
• Familiarity with common political data sources, such as voter files, survey responses, volunteer data, and digital engagement metrics.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion principles within team-based work, stakeholder engagement, and research.

• A well-established network within the progressive ecosystem, including political operatives, nonprofit strategists, donors, and donor advisors.
• Experience managing a remote-based team.
• Proficiency in statistical software, especially R.

• Location: Remote (Continental U.S.-based). Some travel (10 - 25%) for conferences and meetings.
• Start Date: Ideally shortly after an accepted offer, but negotiable for an exceptional candidate.
• Compensation: $130,000 - $154,000, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits: These include 100% premium-covered health care and 99% covered dental and vision care, generous paid time off, 401(k) matching, disability and life insurance, twelve weeks of paid parental leave (including for the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child), home office stipend, and professional development stipends for self-directed growth.