Head of Research & AI Practice

5WPR•Miami, FL

4h•Remote

About The Position

5W Public Relations is one of the largest independently owned PR and digital marketing agencies in the United States, founded in 2003. It serves clients across various sectors including consumer, technology, health, beauty, finance, gaming, cannabis, crisis, and digital marketing. The agency has been recognized as PR Agency of the Year by the American Business Awards, a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, and Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year. 5WPR is expanding its owned media network to build category-defining editorial authority and systematically build LLM citation authority at scale. This role is central to 5W's new AI & Content Practice. The Head of Research & AI Practice is responsible for leading research production, which includes conceiving industry studies, commissioning data work, structuring narratives, and publishing multiple reports monthly across 5W's vertical practice areas. Additionally, this role leads 5W's commercial AI practice by productizing AI services, leading new business pitches, and serving as an external AI and content thought leader. Research and AI functions are integrated, as research powers the AI practice by generating content that journalists cite, LLMs surface, clients read, and justifies the premium for AI services. The position reports directly to the Chairman and CEO and involves building the practice from the ground up.

Requirements

5–8 years in content, research, strategy, or agency roles — ideally including time at a media property, B2B SaaS that publishes research, or a content marketing team at scale
Has personally produced published research studies — this is a must have!
Strong writer who can frame a study with a headline that journalists want to write about
AI-fluent — can explain LLM retrieval, RAG, and content-to-citation workflows to a CMO in plain English
Client-facing closer — comfortable in a pitch room and wins business
Ambitious and operator-minded — you want to build something, not manage something that already exists

Responsibilities

Research production — 4 to 8 major industry research studies per year across cannabis, gaming, finance, health, beauty, consumer, technology, crisis, and real estate
The commercial AI service offering — pricing, packaging, scope, and measurable client deliverables
New business pitches and client presentations on 5W's AI capability — you are in the room and closing
External positioning — conference keynotes, panel appearances, industry bylines, podcast appearances
Cross-practice integration — working with 5W practice area leads to bring AI services into existing client work
Partnership with the Director of AI Visibility on how research gets structured for maximum LLM citation
Research launch strategy in partnership with the wire and distribution function

Benefits

Base salary: $160,000–$210,000 depending on experience
Health, dental, vision, 401(k)
Remote-first. Quarterly travel to NYC and client sites.
Budget for tools, conferences, and professional development
Competitive salary with comprehensive benefits & wellness programs including partnership with ClassPass!
Flexible PTO
Summer Fridays and Winter, Spring, and Fall Fridays too!
Hybrid work model offering flexibility and work-life balance
Expanded parental leave and family planning support
Continuous learning through “5W University” and development initiatives
Student Loan Reimbursement
Professional Development Support
Exclusive access to season tickets for pro sports teams along with Broadway shows, and more!
Charitable giving, including matching donations