Associate, Insights & Intelligence

Rational 360•Washington, DC

4d•$60,000 - $65,500•Hybrid

About The Position

Rational 360 is hiring an Associate, Insights & Intelligence to support and grow the firm's integrated research and analytics offerings. This role is designed for early-career professionals with one to two years of relevant experience (including internships) who are ready to move beyond learning the basics and begin owning discrete pieces of client work. The Associate will execute research projects with increasing independence, develop proficiency across social listening and primary research platforms, and contribute to a team pushing the boundaries of what insights work looks like in a fast-paced public affairs environment. This is an ideal role for someone who is detail-oriented and intellectually curious, has built foundational skills, and is eager to apply them with greater ownership and accountability.

Requirements

One to two years of experience in research, analytics, communications, or a related field; internship experience counts. Agency or consulting background a plus
Demonstrated hands-on experience in at least one of the following: Social listening or media monitoring platforms (e.g., Brandwatch, Talkwalker, Meltwater, Quid), with the ability to derive insight from unstructured data
Primary research methods, including survey design, programming, or quantitative analysis
SEO or generative engine optimization (GEO)
Strong command of Microsoft Excel, including comfort working with large datasets, pivot tables, and formulas; this role requires more than basic proficiency
Genuine curiosity about AI and a willingness to experiment with and apply AI tools in a professional context
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill findings clearly for client audiences
Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Proactive, eager to learn, and comfortable raising questions and seeking feedback

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Flourish, Datawrapper) a plus

Responsibilities

Execute social listening and media intelligence workflows, including building and refining Boolean queries, maintaining dashboards, and synthesizing narrative and sentiment trends for client deliverables
Support the design and execution of primary research projects including surveys, focus groups, and in-depth interviews, owning discrete tasks such as questionnaire drafting, basic programming, data cleaning, and crosstab review
Analyze data across sources (social, survey, qualitative, and secondary) and contribute to integrated insights that inform client communications and public affairs strategy
Identify relevant trends and flag key findings proactively, building the habit of moving from observation to insight
Conduct rigorous quality control checks on quantitative and qualitative data to ensure accuracy and consistency in client deliverables
Develop working familiarity with AI-enhanced research approaches, including AI simulations and generative engine optimization (GEO), supporting senior team members in executing and iterating on these methodologies
Stay current on new research tools, AI applications, and emerging technologies; bring awareness of relevant developments back to the team
Participate in experimentation with new methodologies, contributing to the team's culture of curiosity and rigor
Contribute to client-facing deliverables (presentations, memos, data visualizations) that translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences
Manage your own workstreams and project tasks reliably, meeting deadlines and communicating proactively when timelines are at risk
Coordinate with internal teams and outside vendors to support on-time, high-quality delivery
Actively participate in internal trainings, methodology development, and team knowledge-sharing
Seek out feedback and continuously build skills across platforms and tools