LEAD RESEARCHER

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR –
CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS

TITLE:   Lead Researcher
DEPARTMENT:  Organizing
REPORTS TO:  Center for Strategic Research
LOCATION:  Headquarters [Washington, D.C.]

Fund Position, not to exceed 3 years

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Center for Strategic Research, a part of the AFL-CIO Organizing Department, provides strategic planning, corporate research, industry research, and issue research to support the AFL-CIO organizing program.  The Center works closely with other departments of the AFL-CIO, including the Office of Investment and the Campaign Department.

The Lead Researcher assists in the development and execution of strategic industry and corporate campaign plans.  Lead Researchers are expected to coordinate campaign research efforts, including worker, community, company, and industry elements and serve as a key deputy to a campaign coordinator.

The Lead Researcher works under the direction and guidance of CSR management and is a member of CSR Senior Staff. The Lead Researcher works under the overall supervision of the Organizing Department.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

1. Provides analyses of company and industry structure, profitability, and finances.
2. Performs full vulnerability analyses on companies and industries and collaboratively develops campaign plans.
3. Understands industry trends and recommends appropriate programmatic changes in response.
4. Helps draft industry campaign plans which include objectives, key tactics, key issues, proposed timeline, needed resources and listing of relevant research lines of inquiry.
5. Develops and executes appropriate regulatory tactics as part of campaign.
6. Possesses working knowledge of relevant industry laws and regulations.
7. Integrates relevant bargaining and representation considerations into campaign planning.
8. Leads a group of researchers on their assignments and  campaign duties, including evaluating work progress, determining priorities, supporting work plan development, and creating a system of accountability for work.
9. Works with campaign coordinator and researchers to develop overall strategy and research effort that will contribute to overall goals.
10. In coordination with campaign coordinator, leads targeting analyses on both company and industry level.
11. Effectively evaluates a campaign and its components.
12. Develops and provides effective campaign presentations to various audiences.
13. Works effectively with other departments and affiliates on relevant public policy, legislative, and other issues.
14. Takes responsibility for helping to ensure Federation resources are being used effectively.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters degree or higher in relevant field (e.g., economics, law, or business) preferred.  B.A. or B.S. required in relevant field (e.g., economics, law, or business).

• Experience working with union leaders, staff and members on union organizing campaigns.
• At least five years relevant work experience including mastery of Research Analyst skill set. 
• Ability to lead research planning on a multi-employer, industry or corporate campaign.
• Ability to coordinate activity with field, community, political and affiliate leaders.
• Working knowledge of relevant industry laws and regulations.
• Working knowledge of liability and risk considerations of campaign work.
• Academic coursework in statistics and research methods required.
• Experience performing vulnerability analyses at the company and industry level.
• Dissertation or lengthy research study preferred.
• Publication on relevant subject matter in a reputable publication preferred.
• Experience drafting campaign work plans.
• Excellent writing and communication skills; ability to produce and oversee near final written projects and sophisticated campaign communications.
• Effective time management skills, including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks, and demonstrated experience in developing campaign and personal work plans and goals.
• Demonstrated proficiency in corporate research utilizing highly technical computer databases and communications systems. 
• Demonstrated ability to build teams and work effectively in a team environment in both a lead and a support role.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and high-pressure environments.
• Ability to work well in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to work independently within the context of a plan.
• Ability to travel on a regular basis as needed, and for extended periods of time.

Please send all resumes, references and a cover letter to the AFL-CIO Human Resources Department.

AFL-CIO Human Resources Department
815 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
jobpost@aflcio.org
(202) 637-5256  Phone
(202) 508-6961  Fax

Equal Opportunity Employer