Research and Analysis Lead

M&C Saatchi World Services is seeking a Research and Analysis Lead to drive the development and application of high-quality audience and behavioural research within a federal and Department of Defense (DoD)-aligned mission environment. You will lead the design and execution of qualitative and quantitative research programmes, working closely with communications, digital, UX, and strategy teams to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.

This is a hybrid role; however, the ideal candidate will live in the greater District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. We are also open to applicants who can work from our NYC office.

In this role, you will combine strategic research leadership with hands‑on execution, shaping how WSUS understands audiences, informs decision‑making, and strengthens programme impact. You will be responsible for building structure, rigour, and clarity across research initiatives, ensuring that insights are robust, evidence‑based, and directly inform communications, engagement, and user experience strategies.

• Lead development and execution of qualitative and quantitative research studies to understand user needs, motivations, behaviors, and preferences.
• Conduct in-depth audience analysis, segmentation, and behavioural research to inform strategic decision‑making.
• Design research plans, study instruments, sampling strategies, and analysis frameworks.
• Perform interviews, focus groups, surveys, usability assessments, and ethnographic research.
• Analyze and synthesize research findings to identify insights, themes, pain points, and strategic opportunities.
• Present findings to leadership in clear, actionable formats including reports, executive summaries, journey maps, dashboards, and briefings.
• Support development of communication strategies, engagement campaigns, and UX enhancements using research‑driven insights.
• Oversee data integrity, methodological rigour, and ethical research practices.
• Maintain research repositories, knowledge bases, and trend analysis dashboards.
• Advise communications, UX, product, and outreach teams on audience‑centred solutions.
• Support ongoing measurement, impact assessment, and optimisation of communication and engagement strategies.

• Minimum 10 years of experience conducting advanced qualitative and quantitative research.
• Experience designing and executing audience/user studies in federal, DoD, or enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated ability to derive clear insights from complex data and communicate them effectively.
• Experience supporting strategic planning or communications strategy with research‑based recommendations.
• Strong understanding of research methodologies including interviews, surveys, focus groups, diary studies, and observational methods.
• Experience with statistical analysis, qualitative coding, and research synthesis.
• Familiarity with research tools such as Qualtrics, User Testing, SPSS, R, NVivo, or similar platforms.
• Exceptional analytical and synthesis capabilities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for leadership‑level audiences.
• Ability to translate research into actionable strategy recommendations.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to research rigour and ethical standards.

• Knowledge of behavioural science frameworks and audience modelling concepts.
• Experience integrating research with UX design, digital strategy, or enterprise communications.
• Experience developing personas, journey maps, and behavioural archetypes.
• UX research, insights analysis, or behavioural science certifications.
• ITIL v4 Foundation.
• Project management certifications.

We offer a competitive salary ($140,000-$165,000) and a benefits package designed to support your health, family life, financial wellbeing, and growth.

• 12 weeks’ full pay for Primary Carers and 6 weeks for Secondary Carers (after one year of service; return requirements apply for subsequent leave).
• Applies to birth, adoption, and surrogacy.
• Up to 10 days’ paid fertility leave per year (5 per cycle).
• 2 days’ paid…