WHO WE ARE: At Fors Marsh, we combine the power of science and strategy to improve people’s lives. Each day, we work with institutions and organizations that seek to disrupt markets, understand and influence behavior, drive action on a national scale, and create positive impact. Our approach extends far beyond our client portfolio—as a certified B Corporation and a 2020 Greenbook Top 50 Market Research Company, we make a difference in our community through corporate-sponsored employee volunteer programs and pro bono partnerships with values-aligned nonprofits. Most importantly, as a 2019-2024 Top Workplace, we are committed to putting people first and foster a culture that reflects that commitment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we celebrate diversity and inclusivity as the foundation of a healthy, successful, and innovative work environment. Join us, and together we can work to ensure a better tomorrow.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Fors Marsh is seeking an experienced marketing research professional to provide leadership on audience understanding, marketing and brand insights, and advertising performance for the U.S. Army’s recruitment advertising program. Fors Marsh supports this program as part of a team including advertising and public relations agency partners. This team executes audience segmentation, brand perception research, advertising and brand tracking research, message and concept testing, and other applied research tasks required to lead one of the largest employment branding efforts in the world. The primary client is in Chicago, and while our team is spread around the country, preference is given to Chicago area candidates given the proximity to agency partners and U.S. Army advertising, marketing, and research executive leaders.
The selected individual will work in a technical leadership role providing subject matter expertise across a portfolio of research studies conducted by Fors Marsh using various methodologies (e.g., focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys, secondary data review and analysis) and audiences (e.g., youth, parents, influencers of youth).
Responsibilities include:
• Passion for being creative with research—both in terms of data analysis techniques as well as developing presentations that “tell the story of the findings” through compelling visuals and headlines that drive to key conclusions and strategic recommendations.
• Guide research approach, strategic direction, and technical execution of audience research activities in collaboration with a research lead, research team, and agency partners.
• Oversee technical accuracy of research reports and presentation decks and other external communications summarizing research methods, findings, and strategic implications for marketing strategies and advertising messaging. Present these reports as required to staff, senior and executive agency and client personnel.
• Ensure theoretical application and methodological rigor during planning, coordination, design, execution, and interpretation of social-psychological, social persuasion and/or behavior change studies across a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Be the champion for this level of sophistication and rigor to be applied to every research project.
• Work directly and effectively with advertising agency strategists and creatives to facilitate creative development and evaluation.
• Synthesize data and other information/research sources to draft points of view on Army recruitment efforts, advertising effectiveness, emerging trends, and audience insights.
• Interact with the Fors Marsh research team and senior leadership, as well as advertising agency/client teams on a day-to-day basis working under tight deadlines to fulfill requests.
• Contribute to organizational thought leadership; remain current with applicable social science and advertising effects literature and facilitate information sharing among internal research team and external partners.
• Contribute to technical design and contribute to written proposals for research in response to federal and commercial RFP bid submissions and new business prospecting opportunities.
Qualifications:
• Minimum 15 years of professional research experience in applied settings.
• Extensive applied research training, including an advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., advertising, marketing research, mass communication, psychology, etc.).
• Experience applying advertising, marketing, and communication theory and application to industry problems.
• Experience applying behavior change and social science theory to employer recruiting, campaign development, or marketing and communication.
• Experience working with advertising agencies, PR agencies, or branding firms.
• Extensive experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis required along with a solid understanding of multivariate techniques.
• Demonstration of strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Experience influencing decision makers at the agency and client levels.
• High degree of team orientation, as well as ability to work independently under minimal supervision to effectively balance and manage personal workload.
• Comfort with fast-paced and evolving settings, balancing multiple priorities, delivering under quick turnarounds, and reconciling multiple viewpoints.
• Military-related and youth-related research experience preferred, but not required.
• Experience with brand and attitudinal tracking studies strongly preferred.
• Experience with creative concept testing and copy research strongly preferred.
We Offer:
Our benefits typically meet or exceed our competitors’ packages. Ways we are unique?
• Ability to make an impact on people’s lives, both internal and external to the organization.
• Top-tier health, dental, vision, and long and short-term disability coverage all covered at 100% for employee coverage.
• Remote work.
• Our company culture, which values balance and allows each employee to take leave as they require it to balance the responsibilities of both their work and home lives without worrying about depleting their available leave hours.
• We provide a floating holiday bank so you can celebrate the days you value.
• Generous matching retirement contributions and no vesting period starting the third month of employment.
• Dedicated training and development budgets to expand your expertise and grow your skillset.
• You can volunteer your way with paid time off.
• You can participate in Fors Marsh staff-led affinity groups.
• Our employees receive product and service discounts through the certified B Corp network.
Salary: $175,000-$185,000
Location: Remote, United States Residents only.
FM Career Map: Principal Researcher I
EOE: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran
What We Do
Work with purpose. At FMG, we are deeply committed to helping people make better decisions. Society’s greatest challenges won’t be solved on a whim. That’s why we collaborate with our partners and clients to find creative solutions to complex problems through research and strategy to create lasting change. From individuals to institutions, we’re deeply invested in the change we want to see.
By delivering behavioral expertise within eight key markets—technology, consumer behavior, policy, health, homeland security, defense, finance, and elections—we’re not just committed to the project; we’re committed to the problem. Our work helps people make better choices. And if we can help them choose better, we can help them live better.
If you’re curious, adaptable, and want to change the world, you might do well here. FMG is a place of growth and change for thinkers and doers from all walks of life. Our ambition to make the world better for people begins with a workplace that’s better for people. To ensure every voice is heard, we founded the Driving Inclusion and Valuing Equity (DIVE) Committee, Racial Equity Team, and Affinity Groups, as well as sponsor an annual Indigenous Internship Program.
As a certified B Corporation, we partner, lead, and serve our clients, staff, and community through honesty, stewardship, and equity. And as a Climate Neutral Certified organization, we continue to make bold choices and drive innovation moving forward in our goal to become net-zero by 2030. Our commitment to solving economic, social, and environmental problems can be seen in every fraction of our business. Join our team and learn what it’s like to use business as a force for good.
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