Associate Director/Director, Economic Analysis

Reports to: Acting Vice President, Inclusive Economy

Staff reporting to this position: None, with potential to change

Department: Inclusive Growth

Position classification: Exempt, full time

Minimum compensation: $77,000/$92,000

Work site: Hybrid (on-site two days per week, Washington, D.C., office)

Summary

American Progress has an immediate opening for an Associate Director or Director to join its Inclusive Economy team. This position requires strong quantitative skills and experience using data to advance economic policy proposals as well as strong quantitative and writing skills; experience working with economic data; and an interest in making compelling, evidence-based public policy arguments. The ideal candidate will be meticulous and comfortable in a fast-paced environment and able to juggle rapid-response requests as well as have a passion for advancing progressive economic policies through thoughtful new research. The candidate’s primary role will be to creatively and accurately help use evidence to respond to and inform a range of policy and political debates with analyses of relevant economic and demographic data. The candidate will support the Inclusive Growth department and other departments and teams across American Progress on issues related to building an economy that works for all people. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate leadership across the organization in identifying promising directions for new research and analysis, and they may be asked to supervise staff. They will be actively engaged in training and reviewing quantitative work supported by early-career staff.

The successful candidate will be guided by American Progress’ mission to improve the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action, with the aim of not only changing the conversation, but changing the country. They will join a committed group of colleagues with extensive research expertise to strengthen American Progress’ policy and advocacy work in support of the organization’s five crosscutting priorities:

• Building an economy for all
• Restoring social trust in democracy
• Advancing racial equity and justice
• Tackling climate change and environmental injustice
• Strengthening health

Responsibilities:

• Lead or contribute analysis to research that distills key economic and public policy issues for technical and nontechnical audiences, including policy experts and nonexperts. This will include active collaboration with subject matter experts to support policy recommendations and helping to develop an agenda for the team’s work.
• Independently manage the creation, scoping, and execution of analysis and other projects.
• Advance the organization’s policy goals through original research and quick-turnaround requests as they arise.
• Mentor and train early-career staff and other researchers throughout the organization.
• Partner with American Progress communications and advocacy experts—including in Production, Government Affairs, Digital Strategy, and Press—to create maximally compelling, accessible, and engaging research and analysis to support policies or legislation that create a just and equitable economy.
• Ensure and advocate for the factual accuracy and consistent narrative of internal analysis and external products within and across policy teams.

Requirements and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; advanced degree or equivalent experience are a plus. This is not an entry-level position. At least six years of experience is required for the Associate Director role; seven to 10 years of experience is required for the Director role.
• Strong quantitative skills and familiarity with a variety of economic and demographic data, including major U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data sets.
• Ability to use economic data to make creative, compelling policy arguments.
• Ideal candidates will have proficiency with at least one public microeconomic data set—such as CPS, ACS, or SIPP—or other large survey data sets.
• Ability to manipulate, probe, and clean data sets to ask interesting questions and share findings in a clear and convincing manner. This includes mastery of statistical software, such as STATA, R, Python, or similar statistical programming language.
• Data visualization skills are a plus.
• Knowledge of economic concepts and familiarity with a broad range of issues in economic policy. Specialized policy expertise is a plus but not required, and the candidate must be interested in learning about new subjects and contributing to the areas of highest need across the team.
• Ability to explain complex policy ideas and data analysis clearly through written, visual, and verbal communication.
• Meticulousness, attention to detail, and ability to quickly get up to speed on a new policy area or research question.
• Strong commitment to accurate and evidence-based analysis.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well on a team.
• Flexibility; commitment to working toward broader Inclusive Economy team and Inclusive Growth department goals; and willingness to apply analytical skills across a wide range of issue areas and organizational needs.
• Political or legislative experience—or experience in the use of data analysis for narrative-building or advocacy—is a big plus. Experience using data or research to persuade or create calls to action is key.
• Commitment to American Progress’ mission and goals.

American Progress provides a competitive compensation and benefits package. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is not represented by a union. The Associate Director position has a minimum salary of $77,000, and the Director position has a minimum salary of $92,000.

American Progress’ hybrid work policy is posted on our Jobs page. Please visit this page for updates. Any changes to this policy will also be communicated at the time of hire.