Research Associate (Qualitative)

J.L. Partners is looking to hire a Research Associate to join us in our DC or New York City office. J.L. Partners is a US-based polling and analytics firm, conducting both qualitative and quantitative research. After having the most successful forecast model of the 2024 Presidential Election and entering an exciting period of growth, we are looking for someone to drive our research forward in 2026 and beyond. This is an opportunity to develop a career at a fast-paced, growing organization.

We are looking for individuals who have strong qualitative research and communication skills and a passion to understand how people think.

We are a small team in the US of 4 people, so this will suit an enthusiastic self-starter who can work well independently and with others.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advising and assisting the core team with client projects, related to qualitative research and analysis

• Moderation of focus groups and in-depth interviews

• Analyzing research findings for use in presentations and briefings

• Assist with recruiting participants for qualitative research projects (focus groups, interviews, etc.)

• Manage outreach and communication with research participants

• Providing advice and insight to the core team

Requirements:

• An excellent academic record, including a Bachelors or Masters degree

• Strong consultancy skills, including the ability to tell compelling stories using data and their own judgement. This will include excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• High-level, strategic thinking. We are not just looking for people who can execute research and report basic findings, but who can understand and begin to solve complex, high-level problems.

• Ability to manage time effectively and tight deadlines; flexibility to adapt to different projects and client needs

• The ability to analyze qualitative data for presentations and memos

Desirables:

• At least 1 year of experience in a qualitative research setting

• Advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills

• An educational or professional grounding in research

Compensation

We ensure our pay is competitive according to industry standards and experience. We have a flexible approach to location but would want at least two days a week office time in either New York City or Washington DC. 

To apply

Please send a resume and short covering letter to Kyla Starr at kstarr@jlpartners.com . We will review applications as they are submitted

Research Manager

J.L. Partners is looking for a new Research Manager to join us in our DC or New York City office. After having the most successful forecast model of the 2024 Presidential Election and entering an exciting period of growth, we are looking for someone to drive our research forward in 2026 and beyond.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and delivering industry-leading quantitative opinion research to political campaigns, large corporate partners, financial firms, and more.

We are looking for ambitious, well-rounded researchers who have already excelled in polling or market research and are looking to take the next steps in their career.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a minimum of 3-4 years’ experience in market research or polling. Ideally, you should have experience running every part of a quantitative research project: from interfacing with clients, to writing surveys, to designing and executing plans for fieldwork, to data analysis, to making strategic recommendations. Line management experience is preferred but not essential.

• Approach problems in a high-level, strategic manner. We are not just looking for people who can execute research and report basic findings, but who can understand and begin to solve complex, high-level problems.

• Have experience using data analysis software. Ideally, this would be R, but experience using Python, or to a lesser extent Stata or SPSS, is also valuable.

• Have strong consultancy skills, including the ability to tell compelling stories using data and their own judgement. This will include excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Be highly organized: comfortable managing numerous fast-moving projects with short deadlines.

• Be fascinated by opinion research: what drives how people think, how to understand it, and how to change it.

Experience or familiarity with qualitative research and data science or modelling skills are a plus but not required.

The role

The successful candidate will be at the heart of our quantitative research process. You will work closely with our Co-Founder and directly with clients to scope, resource and plan new projects. You will guide our analysts through every stage of the research, before helping present findings back to our client. You will have a brief to drive standards to their highest possible level, and will be encouraged to suggest improvements to our ways of working.

In return, you will be welcomed into a successful and fast-growing firm. You will be trusted to make this role your own, and will have a high level of access to our senior team. With the right skills and application, you will have excellent opportunities for progression.

Compensation

We ensure our pay is competitive according to industry standards and experience. We have a flexible approach to location but would want at least two days a week office time in either New York City or Washington DC.

To apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a resume and a short covering letter to kstarr@jlpartners.com. We will arrange interviews as we receive applications and will appoint as soon as we find the right candidate.

Associate Director

J.L. Partners is looking for an Associate Director (Research) to join us in our DC or New York City office. After having the most successful forecast model of the 2024 Presidential Election and entering an exciting period of growth, we are looking for someone to help lead our research practice, and grow it, in 2026 and beyond.

This is a senior appointment. The successful candidate will own the delivery of industry-leading quantitative opinion research for political campaigns, large corporate partners, financial firms and more, while building the client relationships and new business that drive the firm forward. It is a role for someone who wants commercial responsibility alongside research leadership, and who wants to be visible in the market as one of the faces of the firm.

In return, you will be welcomed into a successful and fast-growing firm at a genuinely formative moment. You will be trusted to make this role your own, will have direct access to and influence with the senior team, and will have a clear path to Director with the right skills and application.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a minimum of 6-8 years' experience in market research or polling, including significant experience running every part of a quantitative research project: from interfacing with clients, to writing surveys, to designing and executing plans for fieldwork, to data analysis, to making strategic recommendations. Line management experience is essential.

• Lead and develop a team. You will directly manage research managers and analysts, own their development and progression, and be accountable for the quality of everything the team produces. You should be someone who raises the standard of the people around them, not just their own output.

• Win and grow business. You will be expected to convert inbound opportunities, identify and pursue new ones, lead pitches and proposals, and grow existing accounts. Experience selling research or consultancy services is strongly preferred..

• Own client relationships at a senior level. You will be the primary point of contact for major accounts, trusted by clients to advise them rather than simply deliver to them, and confident in the room with campaign principals, C-suite executives and investment teams.

• Represent the firm publicly. This includes speaking at conferences and client events, engaging with press and broadcast media on our polling, writing for publication, and building a personal profile that reflects well on J.L. Partners.

• Approach problems in a high-level, strategic manner. We are not looking for people who can execute research and report basic findings, but who can understand and solve complex, high-level problems - and who can shape a client's thinking about what question they should be asking in the first place.

• Have experience using data analysis software. Ideally R, but experience using Python, or to a lesser extent Stata or SPSS, is also valuable.

• Have exceptional consultancy skills, including the ability to tell compelling stories using data and their own judgement, with excellent written and verbal communication.

• Be highly organised, and able to run a portfolio of fast-moving projects with short deadlines across multiple teams and clients simultaneously.

• Be fascinated by opinion research: what drives how people think, how to understand it, and how to change it.

Experience or familiarity with qualitative research, data science or modelling is a plus but not required.

The role

You will sit at the centre of our research practice and work directly with our Co-Founders on both delivery and growth. You will scope, resource and price new work, guide teams through every stage of research, and lead the presentation of findings to clients. You will have a brief to drive standards to their highest possible level and real authority to change how we work.

Beyond delivery, you will have a defined role in the commercial development of the firm: building your own network, bringing in new clients, growing the accounts you hold, and contributing to how we position ourselves in a competitive market. You will also play a part in how we hire and how we develop the next generation of researchers here and go from start up to established research firm.

Compensation

We ensure our pay is competitive according to industry standards and experience. In addition to base salary, this role carries a performance bonus with a direct, formulaic component tied to new business you originate and to the growth of accounts you own, so the commercial value you bring to the firm is reflected in what you earn. There is no cap on the business development element. Full details will be shared during the process.

We have a flexible approach to location but would want at least two days a week office time in either New York City or Washington DC.

To apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a resume and a short covering letter to kstarr@jlpartners.com. We will arrange interviews as we receive applications and will appoint as soon as we find the right candidate.

Are the opportunities listed not quite the right fit for you, or are there no opportunities currently listed, but you’re still interested in joining us? Feel free to send a resume and short covering letter to info@jlpartners.com and we’ll get back to you if there may be an alternative role for you.