Insights & Research Manager – Word In Black
Title of Position: Insights & Research Manager
Reports To: General Manager
Position Type: Full-Time Contract Employee
Location: Remote; Word In Black works on Eastern Time; 4-6 weeks of travel
Compensation: $80,000-$95,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Benefits: Health, dental, generous PTO, 401K, technology stipend.
Application Deadline: June 17, 2025
Application Review: Rolling basis beginning May 19, 2025
Hiring Committee Interviews: June 2025
Potential Start Date: July 2025
About Word In Black
Word In Black is a national media platform uniting leading Black publishers and organizations under one powerful brand. Backed by the legacy of the Black Press, we combine solutions-focused journalism with research, branded content, and events to amplify Black voices, address racial inequities, and foster prosperous outcomes for Black communities.
Word In Black was launched as a collaborative of legacy Black publishers dedicated to addressing racial inequities by centering the Black experience and equipping Black Americans with the knowledge and resources to prosper and drive meaningful change.
We envision a world where Black stories are honored, Black voices are amplified, and racial equity is a reality. Through knowledge, we empower. Through storytelling, we uplift. We strive for a future where Black communities have equitable access to opportunities and the prosperity they rightfully deserve.
From Freedom’s Journal in 1827 to today, the Black Press has provided news and information to Black communities, amplified Black voices and long championed civil rights. Word In Black builds on this foundation, carrying forward the spirit of advocacy and representation with innovative solutions to engage and empower Black America.
Role Purpose
We are seeking an Insights & Research Project Manager to launch and oversee high-impact, multi-method research initiatives that drive national conversations. This role is perfect for someone who lives at the intersection of project management, journalism, and equity-centered research — and who thrives in fast-paced environments where every detail matters.
As our Insights & Research Project Manager, you’ll coordinate a monthly cadence of surveys capturing the Pulse of Black America, support 2–3 annual deep-dive research projects tied to key issues and activation moments (like Breast Cancer Awareness Month), and serve as the connective tissue between internal teams, external partners, and the communities we engage.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Coordination: Manage multiple research initiatives from kickoff to publication — setting timelines, allocating resources, and keeping our Insights reports delivered on time.
- Research Operations: Build and maintain project management systems to ensure transparency, consistency, and excellence in execution. Support the development and execution of surveys, focus groups, interviews, and archival analysis—ensuring ethical and culturally competent research practices.
- Stakeholder Management: Serve as the liaison between our community partners in market, publishers, data analyst, and funders to align.
- Data Collection Oversight: Coordinate fieldwork for qualitative and quantitative studies, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and archival research.
- Budget & Grant Support: Track project budgets, timelines, and deliverables for grant-funded research and ensure funder reporting is timely and accurate.
- Quality Control: Uphold rigorous standards of research ethics, integrity, and cultural sensitivity across all outputs.
- Activation Support: Plan logistics for presentations, briefings, and campaign activations tied to major reports (e.g. Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Student Debt Crisis, etc.)
Impact & Measurement
- Monthly: Publish a short-form, survey-based “Pulse of Black America” insights report across topics.
- Quarterly: Deliver a thematic deep-dive report tied to key issues or awareness months (e.g., Black Maternal Health, Student Loan Debt, Climate Resilience).
- Annually: Contribute to the development of our State of Black America Index — a flagship benchmarking project.
- Metrics: Audience reach, partner usage, media citations, and policy or program impact.
Must-Have Skills & Strengths
- Experience with mixed-methods research — survey design, data analysis, and qualitative interviewing; familiarity with community-based participatory research (CBPR) and mixed method design.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with journalistic instincts and the ability to translate data into compelling narratives.
- Deep knowledge or lived experience within Black communities and a strong understanding of racial equity frameworks.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple timelines and balance quick-turn deliverables with long-term strategy.
- Excellent organizational habits and attention to detail.
- Comfortable using tools like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Tableau, or Looker Studio.
- Collaborative spirit and a solutions-oriented mindset — especially across disciplines and stakeholders.
Preferred Experience & Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in data journalism, public opinion research, sociology, public health, or related fields.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (social sciences, journalism, public policy, public health, data science, etc.)
- Track record of publishing or presenting research findings for public audiences.
- Experience working with media companies, advocacy orgs, community-based initiatives or policy teams to extend research impact.
- Budget or grant management experience.
- Familiarity with managing research intended for public audiences or campaigns.
Join us.
If you’re a proactive, organized, and equity-minded project leader who can balance the art and science of research. You’re not just managing projects — you’re helping build a new institution in Black media and public insight.
