Policy Advocacy - Political Research

Anthropic•San Francisco, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthropic is seeking an experienced public opinion researcher to establish and lead its in-house polling and research function. This role is crucial for understanding how key audiences, including policymakers, third-party groups, and the general public, perceive Anthropic's policy positions, messages, and campaigns. As a foundational role with high autonomy, the successful candidate will build this research function from the ground up. The Central Policy team, distinct from government relations and communications, relies on this role to ensure policy and communications strategies are informed by a rigorous understanding of stakeholder sentiment. The insights generated will directly influence high-visibility campaigns and policy efforts. Anthropic operates as a research lab, policy think-tank, and technology startup, prioritizing the safe development of AI systems and engaging in substantive policy conversations with governments. This position offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of AI policy, applying rigorous research to strategy. Success involves building relationships with leading polling firms, delivering consistent, high-quality research, and becoming the internal expert on audience perceptions of AI and Anthropic. The role requires translating polling insights into strategic recommendations to enhance campaign effectiveness and building scalable processes for growth.

Requirements

Experience designing and executing public opinion research, including survey and questionnaire design, sampling approaches, and message testing.
Ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative polling data and translate findings into clear, decision-ready written recommendations.
Experience selecting, briefing, and managing external polling or research vendors.
Strong writing and presentation skills, including distilling complex research for senior, non-technical audiences.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of professional experience in political or public opinion research, ideally spanning multiple campaign cycles and policy environments.
Corporate public affairs experience, ideally in a highly scrutinized or regulated industry.
Strategic thinking that spots emergent issues, identifies and tests the right messages, and translates those insights into tactical recommendations.
A track record of building relationships with vendors, external experts, and complex stakeholder ecosystems.
Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, maintain clear priorities, and deliver on tight timelines.
Comfort operating in ambiguous environments, taking ownership of problems, and proactively driving initiatives with limited precedent.
A resourceful, collaborative working style and genuine commitment to being a strong teammate.
Passion for AI policy and alignment with Anthropic's safety mission and commitment to responsible AI development.

Responsibilities

Develop a comprehensive strategy for the in-house political research function aligned with Anthropic's policy goals.
Identify, evaluate, and establish relationships with leading research and polling firms across various demographics, geographies, and political perspectives.
Conduct detailed, proactive research to test messages, policy proposals, campaign themes, and evaluate Anthropic's brand perception.
Execute rapid-response polling to assess messaging strategy in reaction to external events, policymaker actions, competitive developments, or emerging opportunities.
Collaborate with external affairs colleagues (federal, state, international) and policy communications to define research priorities, interpret findings, and translate insights into actionable strategic recommendations.
Develop and maintain a knowledge management system for polling data, insights, and recommendations to ensure accessibility and actionability.
Manage polling vendors at scale, including performance management.
Participate in strategy sessions and provide thought partnership on the design of messages, policy proposals, and campaigns.
Create clear, compelling deliverables that distill polling findings into insights and recommendations.
Identify opportunities to build and scale the polling function, including staffing, process improvements, and capability expansion.
Track and report on the impact and utility of research, measuring how insights contribute to more effective campaigns and strategic decisions.