Local Government Analyst

Zencity•New York, NY

About The Position

Zencity empowers state and local governments with actionable insights to better understand and respond to the needs of their residents. Our research helps public sector leaders address critical challenges such as infrastructure investment, economic development, public safety, and trust in government. As a Local Government Analyst, you will combine rigorous survey research with analysis of social media and other qualitative data sources to deliver meaningful, actionable insights for public sector clients. A significant part of this role involves direct engagement with clients – including presenting findings, participating in client calls, and helping guide discussions with senior public sector leaders. This role sits within Zencity’s Professional Services / Value team and offers the opportunity to work closely with Customer Success, Product, and R&D. You will own research projects end to end—from defining research questions and designing surveys to analyzing multi-source data and crafting clear, compelling narratives that help clients understand what the data means and how to act on it – while also contributing to the evolution and scalability of Zencity’s research tools and methodologies.

Requirements

1–3 years of experience in quantitative research, data analysis, or professional services
Demonstrated experience presenting findings and insights to clients or senior stakeholders, with a high level of comfort in frequent client-facing interactions
Experience working with survey data and familiarity with survey design or methodology
Strong storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex analyses into clear, structured narratives that drive understanding and action
Proficiency in data analysis using tools such as Python, R, SQL, and/or Excel
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Native-level English proficiency
Bachelor’s degree in a social science or related field
Ability to manage multiple projects independently and thrive in a fast-paced, client-focused environment

Nice To Haves

Experience analyzing social media or other qualitative data sources
Experience working in a service-oriented, client-facing role
Knowledge of U.S. local government, public policy, or civic issues
Familiarity with current social and political trends in the United States

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted, client-facing research partner by presenting findings, leading or participating in client calls, and clearly explaining insights and recommendations to senior-level stakeholders
Design and customize survey questionnaires to measure residents’ beliefs, attitudes, opinions, and behaviors on local and national issues
Plan and execute end-to-end research projects, including survey design, data processing, analysis, and reporting
Analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources, including representative and non-representative surveys, social media, and online forums, to identify trends, themes, and emerging issues
Transform complex quantitative and qualitative findings into clear, compelling stories that connect data to real-world implications and decision-making
Create high-quality, client-facing reports, presentations, and visualizations that communicate insights in a structured, intuitive, and engaging way
Tailor narratives and recommendations to different client audiences, ensuring clarity and relevance for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Work closely with the Customer Success team to understand client goals, manage expectations, and deliver research outputs on tight timelines
Collaborate with Product and R&D teams to support the development, automation, and productization of research tools and workflows
Contribute to team-wide best practices, test new research methods, and help streamline and scale research processes