Research Manager

Research Manager

Onsite in Stuttgart, Germany

About the Company

ORB is a US/UK based company providing research and analytics to public and private sector clients in over 115 countries! We offer great benefits, interesting and challenging work, and the opportunity to build skills and experience in international quantitative and qualitative research.

Position Overview

This Research Manager position combines project management, analysis, and stakeholder coordination. This position is onsite in Stuttgart, Germany and offers the opportunity to work closely with the leadership in specific Combatant Commands (AFRICOM) close gaps, and manage and conduct primary research to fill those gaps. This work covers the issues of U.S. global standing, development, and security. This role will suit someone with a keen interest in international politics and a background in research.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Client management

• Have a thorough understanding of how client requirements translate into research projects
• Actively contribute and/or lead discussion with the client about research design
• Identify any weaknesses or gaps in the client’s approach and ask the right questions to get clarity on client brief
• Take ownership of client relations – communicating regularly and ensuring that they are satisfied with our delivery

Project management & delivery

• Take responsibility for research design, taking client objectives all the way through to instrument and indicator design.
• Coordinate with the research team to ensure they are aligned on client objectives
• Designs and implements complex sampling methodologies, develops/reviews quantitative and qualitative instruments, builds and enforces project-specific quality control. Suggests new approaches to sample, instrument, scripting, quality control, analysis, and reporting.
• Help junior staff to manage their time and take responsibility for ensuring that all deadlines within the team are met.
• Take the lead with reporting design and analysis, and writing, communicating research findings in a clear and convincing way. Help to manage junior staff who are contributing to reporting
• Briefing client on research findings – tailoring to the specific team/objective
• Contribute to creation of budgets, including for complex projects or those required to adhere to pre-specified client formats

Requirements

• Degree in International Affairs, Social Sciences, or History *Advanced degree preferred
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience for research deliverables, including studies, specialized products, quantitative studies, case studies, and other products
• SECRET CLEARANCE Required.
• High proficiency with quantitative data (using Excel/SPSS) and excellent writing skills
• Leadership experience within a team environment
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally
• General knowledge of the politics, economics, and societies of Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East
• Foreign language fluency is strongly preferred; French, Arabic and Spanish
• Preference given to candidates with M&E background; knowledge of the methods and techniques of monitoring and evaluation, including developing survey questionnaires, drawing a sample and assessing the quality of resulting data

US Citizenship Required

Salary Range begins at $100,000+ based on experience

ORB offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off and profit sharing.