Communications Research & Evaluation Manager

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

Ripple Effect is looking for a Communications Research and Evaluation Manager to support our client’s mission. This role will work closely with our Communications team to conduct in-depth research, evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, and deliver successful mixed methods evaluations and research studies.

If this position sounds of interest, there’s a place for you here at Ripple Effect! We have a diverse, progressive, and engaging work environment, offering a multitude of incentives and flexible work options that work for you and your lifestyle. 

General Information 

• Job Code: SHR-PE-04M
• Location: Ripple Effect Headquarters – Rockville, MD
• Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular  
  (Ask our recruiters about flexible work arrangements) 
• Telework: Partial
• Clearance: Public Trust 
• Manager: Yes 
• Number of Openings: 1 
• Salary Range: $92,821 to $106,744 per year (how we pay and promote) 

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. 
• Generates evidence-based recommendations and summarizes them in reports to highlight insights and drive actions.
• Contributes to proposal writing and technical solutioning for communications research and evaluation projects and may lead technical sections.
• Develops processes and procedures to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of team's operations.
• 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 mixed evaluation methods
• 2 years focused on communications research

Basic Requirements 

• Technical experience with qualitative and quantitative evaluations
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• 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
• Ability to report to our Headquarters location (Rockville, MD) 1-2 days per week

To be successful at Ripple Effect, you must be able to pay attention to details, clearly communicate, work independently, and have an eagerness to learn. Learn more about what makes Ripple so great check out our capabilities.  

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

If you don’t have all of the skills above, don’t be discouraged—no resume paints a complete picture of a person. There’s a good chance you’re more wonderful than you think, so please apply! 

About Ripple Effect 

 Ripple Effect is an award-winning women-owned small business providing professional consulting and exceptional talent for federal, private, and non-profit clients. We deliver multi-disciplinary solutions across Communications & Outreach, Research & Evaluation, Program Management & Policy, Digital Transformation, and Technical & Scientific Support solutions with a focus on science, research, and healthcare domains. 

Hiring Process | Life at Ripple | DEIA

Benefits

Ripple Effect rewards our employees for their contributions to our mission in many ways, from competitive pay and exceptional benefits to a range of work/life programs based on your employment classification and personalized preferences. 

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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.