Qualitative Research Associate

Penta is a global company providing data-driven solutions to help clients achieve their objectives in an increasingly complex stakeholder environment. We provide cutting-edge intelligence products to help clients understand what their stakeholders think, see, and hear, and then leverage that intelligence to develop and execute effective, measurable strategies. 

Our global team brings decades of experience in business, government, communications, research, data science, and media. Our clients include companies across a variety of industries, including technology, financial services, energy, healthcare, and more. Penta has offices in New York, London, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Vail, Dublin, London, Brussels, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

About the Role:

Penta is actively looking for a Qualitative Research Associate to join its Policymaker Research team. Each year, Penta conducts hundreds of expert interviews with federal and state policymakers and other key stakeholders to understand their perceptions of prominent companies, associations, and nonprofits. 

The ideal candidate will have professional or academic experience in conducting interviews, leading focus groups, and/or using other qualitative research methods. This candidate will also be comfortable working on complex research projects with multiple stakeholders in a collaborative and innovative work environment.

This is a research position that requires conducting in-depth interviews (IDIs) several times a week with stakeholders who influence policy decisions. Therefore, the ideal candidate should be interested in building strong moderation and communication skills. 

Primary Responsibilities:

- Support qualitative research projects from beginning to end, including:

--> Translate a client’s research needs into a conversational discussion guide for use in IDIs

--> Proactively conduct any secondary research necessary to build an understanding of subject matters relevant to the project

--> Moderate qualitative research interviews that uncover perspectives in an unbiased manner

--> Manage project logistics such as scheduling interviews, communicating with vendors, etc. 

--> Meticulously clean and code qualitative data in software, such as Atlas.ti.

Identify gaps in a project’s data set and create strategies to ensure the project is tracking towards goals

--> Conduct an initial analysis of the qualitative data based on client needs by identifying patterns and themes that are relevant to the client and their industry

--> Consistently communicate with other teams to ensure all stakeholders have a sense of project progress and risks

- Proactively support senior staff members on requests for qualitative data

- Brainstorm ideas on how to improve and deepen our qualitative research process and products

Qualifications:

- Academic background in social science such as Anthropology, Sociology, Journalism, Psychology, Political Science or related fields

- Experience with qualitative research methodologies (e.g., IDIs, focus groups, etc.) through academic or professional experience

- Strong time management and prioritization skills

- Strong written and verbal communication skills

- Ability to take initiative; motivated and self-starting

- Strong analytical thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize ideas and provide recommendations

*The above should be viewed as more of a guide, not a check-list; If you meet some but not all of the experiences listed, we strongly encourage you to submit an application*

Salary Range:

The base salary range for this position will be $57,000 -$67,000, depending on a candidate’s experience and qualifications as it relates to the position.

Benefits:

Penta Group is proud to offer a generous benefits package for full-time employees. Please find a list below of our current benefit offerings:

- Excellent health care, vision, and dental coverage provided by United Healthcare with the majority of individual employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums covered by Penta

- Competitive retirement benefits with a 401(k) match of 100% up to 3% of an employee’s deferred salary, and 50% of the next 2% deferred

- Employer paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance, with the option to buy additional coverage

- Twelve weeks paid parental leave.

- Monthly stipend for cell phone

- Generous paid time off and holiday schedule 

- Frequent firm-wide social events and activities

-  Excellent environment for learning and growth

Location:

This position is a hybrid role and will be based in our Washington, D.C. headquarters.

Penta Group, LLC values diversity and inclusion, is committed to equal employment opportunity, and to compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. We also comply with District of Columbia law, which prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, applicants for employment and interns based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decisions and breastfeeding), national origin, disability, age (18 and over), personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family responsibilities, matriculation (e.g., being enrolled in a college or university or in a business, nursing, professional, secretarial, technical or vocational school), political affiliation, genetic information (including family medical history), lawful use of tobacco products, unemployment status and status as a victim or the family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense or stalking.