APCO Worldwide

APCO Insight®, the strategic research consultancy within global communication firm APCO Worldwide, is seeking a Research Assistant/Analyst (Data Science) to join its growing team in Chicago,Raleigh or Washington, D.C.

APCO Insight works with many of the world’s leading companies, associations, nonprofits and public-sector organizations on a diverse range of challenges. Our core research capabilities support reputation management, brand and campaign communications, issues and crisis management, message and creative development, earned media measurement, thought leadership and consumer and cultural trends.

The Research Analyst will support APCO Insight data science team members in executing advanced data analytics assignments on behalf of the organization and clients. 

Furthermore, the ideal candidate will have an interest in working on an entrepreneurial team within APCO Insight to help develop new products and methodologies to sell to clients and prospects around reputation management, corporate branding, thought leadership and/or public affairs and issues management. 

APCO Insight’s data science team is increasingly involved in assignments employing statistics (e.g., linear/logistics regression, clustering) to develop insights for communication strategy and forecast trends. The candidate will be involved in secondary research techniques, digital and social media research and structured/unstructured data analytics. 

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support of quantitative data-related projects 
• Pull data from software sources, such as social listening and media monitoring platforms
• Clean, code and manage unstructured (text) datasets
• Conduct data analysis including advanced statistical techniques such significance testing, mean, standard deviation, regression, clustering, etc.
• Ensure data and reporting quality
• Use digital research tools to analyze the conversation landscape and identify target audiences and influencers
• Utilize Claude, ChatGPT, Bing CoPilot and custom AI tools to assist in day-to-day research tasks
• Visualize data insights using charts, graphs and tables and develop reports in PowerPoint or Tableau
• Write clearly to communicate with colleagues, research partners and clients
• Build dashboards that help colleagues and clients monitor data on brand health, trending issues and communications impact

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of relevant experience 
• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, marketing or business from an accredited college or university in a related field 
• Excellent PowerPoint & Excel skills 
• Proficient with Python, SPSS, R or other comparable statistical programs
• Working knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics, strong analytical skills
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn digital and social media research tools such as Quid, Affinio, Brandwatch, Talkwalker, Audiense or other similar programs
• Able to multi-task, strong time management and organizational skills
• Excellent written and oral skills and the ability to communicate within an organization

With our commitment to recruit, hire, promote and retain people who reflect the diverse communities in which we operate, APCO Worldwide ensures our teams bring the best possible expertise and diverse perspectives to our clients. We embrace diversity of identity, experience and thought, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independent and majority woman owned global advisory and advocacy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. APCO Worldwide, named “Public Affairs Agency of the Decade” by The Holmes Report and one of the “Top Places to Work in PR” by PRNews, offers a collegial work environment, countless training and development opportunities, and a competitive compensation and benefits package. 

EOE M/F/V/D 

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