Sr. Strategic Insights Manager

• Lead end-to-end qualitative research programs: scope design recruit moderate synthesize and tell the story using methods such as in-depth interviews focus groups journey mapping and jobs-to-be-done (JTBD) to uncover member needs across segments (students academia industry government international).
• Create rigorous research plans and protocols: develop research briefs discussion guides screeners sampling frames and consent materials that meet ethical standards protect participant privacy and ensure representation across ACS governance structure.
• Synthesize qualitative data into actionable insights: conduct coding and thematic analysis (e.g. grounded theory affinity mapping insight frameworks) triangulate with quantitative findings and deliver clear narratives personas journey maps and opportunity areas that inform membership education meetings publishing and sustainability strategies.
• Partner closely with quantitative researchers/analysts: collaborate on mixed-methods designs; align qualitative learning objectives with survey constructs segmentation and conjoint/discrete choice modeling; interpret statistical outputs; and jointly craft cohesive insight stories that drive data-informed decisions.
• Lead market and constituencys experience research: assess program awareness value proposition pricing sensitivities channel preferences and content needs; benchmark against peer professional societies and publishers; and identify growth opportunities across the membership lifecycle (acquisition engagement renewal reactivation).
• Translate insights into decisions and measurable impact: frame insights as trade-offs and scenarios; recommend pilots/experiments; define success metrics (e.g. engagement NPS conversion retention and revenue for mission-aligned initiatives); and partner with business owners to track outcomes via dashboards (e.g. Power BI Tableau).
• Elevate research quality consistency and speed: establish research operations standardstoolkits templates IRB/ethics checks where applicable vendor management participant recruitment best practices incentive policiesand build a searchable insight repository that supports institutional memory.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and alignment: run workshops and readouts with executives and cross-functional teams; use facilitation techniques (e.g. design sprints assumption mapping opportunity solution trees) to align learning objectives decisions to be made and actions owners will take.
• Support innovation governance and strategy: contribute qualitative evidence to ACSs innovation portfolio; help prioritize concepts de-risk new offerings and validate desirability/feasibility/viability; integrate member voice into stage-gate decisions and business cases.
• Ensure global relevance and inclusion: design and conduct research that accounts for cultural linguistic and regional differences (e.g. China office Europe/Asia field representatives); apply inclusive research practices to reach underrepresented groups and diverse career stages across ACSs global community.
• Communicate insights through compelling deliverables: produce concise executive briefs narrative memos visual storyboards and decision-ready presentations tailored to stakeholders in Membership Education & Career Development Science Research & Sustainability and Meetings & Expositions.

This role is based in our Washington D.C. office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $112000-$130000 per year.

ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave paid sick leave paid holidays health insurance flexible spending account or health care savings account dental insurance life insurance vision insurance retirement benefits short- and long-term disability and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills experience and location.

Any actual offer of employment reflecting the total compensation package and benefits will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.

Required Experience:

Manager