Remote Social Science Research Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA

General Information

• Job Code: SHR-PE-04M
• Location: Ripple Effect Headquarters
• Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular
• Telework: This role is fully remote
• Clearance: Public Trust
• Salary Range: $102,413 to $117,774 per year (how we pay and promote)

Are you passionate about understanding and improving communication strategies? Do you thrive on analyzing data and making impactful recommendations?

Ripple Effect is seeking a Communications Research & Evaluation Manager to lead and deliver high-quality communications research, program evaluations, and evidence-based insights that improve communication strategies and outcomes for our clients. This role combines technical leadership, project management, and team supervision to ensure research and evaluation projects are methodologically sound, completed on time and within budget, and generate actionable recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive research on communication messaging and strategies to evaluate effectiveness of communications campaigns.
• Provides technical advice on methodology approaches to accomplish project objectives (e.g., research design, analytical techniques, sampling methods).
• Coordinates internal resources and external consultants and vendors to execute evaluation and research studies.
• Ensures projects are delivered on-time, within scope, and within budget and are technically sound and accurate.
• Manages a small research team and provides mentoring and oversight to manage performance.
• Develops a detailed project plan to track progress and manage changes in project scope, schedule and costs.
• Provides expert advice and contribute to technical execution of projects, including data collection, instrument design, report development, analysis and synthesis of findings or other deliverables.
• Synthesize findings from multiple data sources and translate complex results into clear and compelling insights.
• Contributes to proposal writing and technical solutioning for communications research and evaluation projects and may lead technical sections.
• Develop and implement processes and procedures that enhance team efficiency and project effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain quality assurance processes to ensure technical accuracy and integrity across all project activities.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, health, science or any other relevant field
• 10 years' experience
• 2 years project management experience
• 6 years' experience with evaluation methods (qual/quant/mixed)
• 2 years focused on communications research

Basic Requirements

• Technical experience with qualitative and quantitative evaluations
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook
• Project and people management skills in budgeting, resourcing, planning, tasking and risk management
• Ability to communicate results simply and effectively
• Ability to develop strong relationships with clients, stakeholders and external vendors
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to execute instructions
• Previous experience working with or directly supporting federal agencies

Skills That Set You Apart

• Master's or doctoral degree (can substitute for years of experience)
• Experience preparing OMB and IRB clearance packages
• Previous supervisory experience
• Demonstrated ability to keep up with industry trends in communications research and evaluation
• Working knowledge of communications theories
• PMP or other project management certification

About Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect is a woman-owned, 200-person company of communicators, scientists, researchers, and analysts. Established in 2003, and named as one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” in 2024 and 2025 by the NABR, Ripple Effect has earned acclaim for delivering unparalleled consulting services and top-tier talent across federal, private, and non-profit sectors.

Benefits

At Ripple Effect, we reward our employees for their contributions to our mission. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes competitive pay, exceptional benefits, and a range of programs that support your work/life balance and personalized preferences.

Learn more about our benefits and culture here.

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Ripple Effect is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, political affiliation, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please let us know by contacting our HR department at HR@rippleeffect.com or your recruiter. Eligibility for employment will be verified using E-verify.