Research Manager or Sr. Research Manager

About Americans United
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all of us. Founded in 1947, Americans United is a diverse and dynamic organization composed of people from all walks of life: lawyers and lobbyists, students and activists, religious leaders and impassioned Americans. AU includes people of faith and people who don’t profess any particular faith. It is a community that welcomes people of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work

Position Summary

The Research Manager or Sr. Research Manager will be an innovative self-starter and an effective researcher and writer who is excited to collaborate with a dynamic team and organization, working together to fight for freedom without favor, and equality without exception.

This is a new role within AU’s revamped strategic initiative to generate research and resources that build support for church-state separation. Although the role will sit within AU’s Public Policy Department and part of the role will be to analyze and support AU’s policy efforts, a successful candidate will also work across the organization to create public-facing resources that support AU’s organizing and narrative change efforts.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities will be adjusted to match the candidate’s level of experience.

Develop and execute AU’s polling program

• Envision and create a strategic plan for AU’s nationwide and state-based polling program in consultation with all program departments and the Chief Program Officer, including goals, cadence, workflow, and budget.
• Manage the execution of the polling program, including contracting with and liaising with vendors, creating work product, and analyzing and summarizing results.
• Develop and deliver presentations communicating polling results to key stakeholders and partners, including coalitions, state and federal lawmakers, the public, and other audiences.
• Support AU departments in the effective use of polling results.

Develop and support AU’s public policy work and education initiative

• Propose and generate resources for policymakers and for the general public that educate on the importance of church-state separation and provide tools for mobilizing people, including reports, blog posts, talking points, and other advocacy materials.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research and analysis in support of federal and state public policy work and the education initiative, including basic data analysis, policy analysis, monitoring and tracking of relevant legal and policy trends, and interviews.
• Collaborate with all AU departments as well as vendors to produce resources.
• Represent AU publicly in support of our efforts to advance support for church-state separation.

Skills and Experience

*Research shows candidates from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for positions when they don't meet 100% of listed requirements; please consider applying even if you don’t match 100% of these criteria.

Americans United seeks a candidate with a minimum of 4 years of work experience for the Research Manager role, including experience with polling projects and public resource generation. Candidates with 7 or more years of experience may qualify for the Research Senior Manager role.

Additionally, the candidate ideally:

• Has exceptional analytical and writing skills, including writing for a general audience. The candidate should be able to break down complex legal and policy concepts for lay audiences.
• Is detail-oriented and has sharp copy-editing and proof-reading skills.
• Is a self-starter who takes initiative and gets excited about identifying and developing new projects and opportunities to pursue.
• Is committed to advancing the public interest and the separation of religion and government.
• Has experience with graphics and visual communications.
• Has the interpersonal skills to work well with our staff, vendors, and partners.
• Is demonstrably committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and to fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment.

Americans United welcomes applicants of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions and beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues and with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

This is a hybrid position that primarily involves working from a home office and/or professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and video conferencing tools. It requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, communicate effectively, and occasionally move about within the workspace.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the position is $82,335 - $109,777. This stated range includes a 5% locality pay adjustment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The successful candidate’s placement within that range will be consistent with AU’s compensation framework, which is based on role placement and years of related experience.

Americans United offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid premiums for health care, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) with match, and commuter subsidy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AU is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. If you need an accommodation for a disability to apply to this position, please let us know by emailing hr@au.org.

Application Information

We will only be accepting applications from candidates who currently live in or would be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC metro area.