Job Description

LMD - a change agency, is a woman-owned small business seeking an experienced  Research Manager  to join our fast-paced, award-winning, full-service marketing & communications team. The successful candidate will lead the day-to-day execution of qualitative and quantitative research across LMD client engagements.

Reporting to the VP of Strategy, this role owns research project planning and timelines, oversees research staff and vendors, ensures research quality and compliance (with a focus on federal requirements), and translates insights into clear, actionable recommendations that inform positioning, messaging, and brand, content, and marketing strategy for our clients. The Research Manager works on cross-functional teams (strategy, account services, creative, video, etc.) to ensure client brand and marketing work products are research-informed and evidence-based.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research lead: Serve as the day-to-day research point of contact; translate marketing/brand objectives into research questions, decisions, and clear, actionable recommendations.

• Project scoping & design: Scope engagements and design fit-for-purpose market research approaches (mixed methods, segmentation, message/concept testing, UX/HCD, experimental/quasi-experimental, trackers/longitudinal) aligned to objectives and contract requirements.

• Delivery management: Build and manage workplans, budgets, timelines, and resourcing from kickoff through delivery of the final research report; monitor risk and proactively course-correct.

• Federal compliance (REQUIRED): Lead compliance planning for federal engagements, including privacy and human-subjects protections; PRA/OMB clearance pathways and timelines; informed consent; data retention/records management; and secure handling of PII.

• Instrument & protocol development: Create and QA research instruments and protocols (discussion guides, screeners, surveys/questionnaires, moderator/observer guides, consent materials, checklists).

• Fieldwork & vendor management: Lead/supervise data collection (IDIs, focus groups, usability tests, intercepts, online communities, diary studies, surveys); manage sampling, recruitment, incentives (if applicable), panel/vendor partners, and weighting/post-stratification as needed.

• Analysis & storytelling: Conduct and/or oversee qualitative coding and quantitative cleaning/validation/statistical analysis; synthesize findings into compelling narratives, decision-ready outputs, and actionable marketing recommendations. 

• Cross-functional research enablement: Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure briefs, concepts, creative, content, and final deliverables are grounded in evidence—and to pressure-test drafts against findings.

• People leadership: Provide day-to-day oversight and coaching for research staff/contractors; assign work, review outputs, and deliver feedback aligned to SOPs and quality standards.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8–10 years of demonstrable experience designing and executing primary (qualitative and quantitative) and secondary research in an agency, consultancy, or in-house insights function.
• Proven experience working with federal government clients and familiarity with compliance for federally sponsored research projects (PRA/OMB, privacy/consent, records management, Section 508, data security expectations).
• Experience with message and creative testing, brand tracking, segmentation modeling, and A/B or multivariate testing.
• Proficiency with research tools: SurveyMonkey (or similar tool), Excel, Dedoose (or similar tool), and Power BI.
• Excellent written communication and interpersonal facilitation/presentation skills.
• Strong project management discipline (budgets, timelines, risk, vendor management) and experience supervising analysts/contractors.
• Collaborative team player who embodies LMD’s values of people, exploration, positive change, and integrity. 
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, statistics, marketing).
• U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain Public Trust Clearance.
• Applicants within 60 miles of our headquarters are strongly preferred.

Job Location(s):  
This position is a  fully remote position. 

Salary Range:
$90,000 - $110,000  a year

Benefits: We offer a work environment that encourages personal and professional growth and a generous benefits package:

• Health Ins with HRA plan
• Dental Ins
• Vision Ins
• Short-Term Disability Ins
• Term Life and AD&D Ins
• Voluntary Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital, and Pet Insurance
• Holidays (12)
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Personal Mental Health Days
• Volunteer Time Off
• Bereavement Leave
• Parental Leave
• 401(k)
• Profit Sharing
• FSA and DCA plans
• Training Budget
• Remote Work Stipend
• In-person & Virtual Team Building & Training

LMD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is subject to VEVRAA requirements. Employment opportunities at LMD are based on one's qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, veteran status, protected veteran status, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law, unless such disability, even with reasonable accommodation, prevents the applicant from being able to perform the essential functions of a job. Further, LMD will not retaliate against or condone retaliation against any person or group of persons who oppose actions, treatment, or conduct they believe to be discriminatory.

By applying for a position with us, you agree to our participation in the E-Verify program. If you are offered employment, you must provide documentation verifying your identity and legal authorization to work in the United States, in compliance with federal law.

LMD will not accept solicitations from recruiters, placement firms, or development firms seeking to do business with LMD.

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, For contractors,

Similar Jobs