Principal Research Analyst

The principal research analyst plays a critical role in generating, collecting and providing audience insights to stakeholders throughout The Washington Post organization and to key external partners.

This person will be responsible for managing all aspects of qualitative and quantitative research projects: designing and implementing research methodologies; drawing insights from research data to help clients make smart business decisions; creating and delivering informative and engaging presentations on research findings; and more.

This person will also synthesize data from a wide range of third-party data sources and internal analytics in order to provide audience insights for clients services and their partners

What Motivates You

• You are energized by uncovering the “why” behind audience behavior and translating insights into meaningful business impact.
• You thrive on turning complex data into clear, compelling stories that influence strategic decisions.
• You are curious by nature and constantly seek deeper understanding through thoughtful research design and analysis.
• You enjoy partnering with cross-functional stakeholders and being a trusted advisor who brings clarity to ambiguity.
• You take pride in managing end-to-end research initiatives and delivering work that is rigorous, actionable, and polished.
• You are motivated by the opportunity to shape revenue strategy, product innovation, and client success through evidence-based insights.
• You stay engaged with evolving media and advertising trends and are excited to apply that knowledge to forward-looking research.
• You value autonomy, accountability, and the ability to see your insights directly influence outcomes.

How You'll Support the mission

• Work with stakeholders across the organization to understand aims and objectives, identify knowledge gaps, and put together plans to obtain data and derive insights to help achieve those goals.
• Manage primary research projects for departments across the organization with minimal supervision
• Manage all phases of the research process, from study design to completion and reporting
• Provide guidance to client solutions teams in recommending campaign-based research for RFPs, and ensure end to end management of subsequent work.
• Select and manage third party vendors to conduct primary research and ad effectiveness research studies
• Respond to ad-hoc inquiries from sales team and beyond, and create regular reports, memos, and presentations
• Evaluate primary and syndicated research vendors to help ensure company data needs are met as effectively and cost efficiently as possible
• Help identify thought leadership research topics for client services
• Develop questionnaire instruments for web surveys and program them using Qualtrics
• Coordinate the fielding of survey instruments with third party panel providers
• Be in charge of qualitative research process and operations including respondent recruitment, scheduling and incentive disbursement.
• Manage qualitative research projects for clients throughout the organization. Conduct usability testing and in-depth interviews to understand audience mental models, improve user experience, test concepts and spark new ideas.
• Create and present customized research reports in PowerPoint for internal and external clients
• Monitor media and advertising industry trends. Provide personalized research and industry trend reports and data based on individual business units’ needs.