Job Title: FREELANCE RESEARCH ANALYST - Slover Linett Strategies, Chicago, IL

Deadline Date: Open Until Filled

Starting Date: Open

Institution: Slover Linett Strategies is a Chicago-based audience research and planning firm for cultural and educational organizations nationwide. We help museums, orchestras, universities and other mission-driven enterprises take a fresh look at their relationship with their constituents—current and potential—through qualitative and quantitative research. We also help their staffs and boards turn that insight into action through facilitated planning or visioning processes designed to articulate clear, compelling principles for identity and growth. We are a small, intellectually creative consultancy that has developed long-term relationships with leading local and national nonprofit institutions. Our Chicago clients include the University of Chicago, the Art Institute, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Chicago Public Radio. Ongoing national engagements include the Walters Art Museum (Baltimore), the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Job Duties: The Research Analyst will work on all several aspects of our qualitative and quantitative audience research projects, which primarily entail focus groups, interviews and surveys (mail, phone, web, and on-site intercepts). These studies are sometimes part of a larger, multi-mode research effort designed to inform strategic change and sometimes part of a single-mode, ongoing program to track audience trends and changes over time.

The Research Analyst will work closely with the firm’s senior associates in areas such as:
• analyzing and interpreting data (for quantitative research projects this would include data cleaning, weighting, statistical analysis using a broad range of techniques, and developing appropriate graphs, tables, and diagrams; for qualitative research projects it would include reviewing transcripts and identifying key themes);
• writing research reports in both bulleted and narrative text formats.

The majority of the research projects will be quantitative in nature. Prior knowledge of statistics and SPSS is required for consideration.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be a smart, energetic, and positive-spirited person with excellent research, analytical, and writing skills. A Masters involving statistical analysis or equivalent experience with quantitative research is desired, as is expertise with SPSS. PhD candidate desired. Ideally, we are seeking a newly admitted candidate who wants to commit to a 4-5 year relationship with our firm while completing his/her PhD program. Candidates should also be proficient with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Knowledge of the nonprofit cultural sector is a plus.

The ideal candidate will also:
• possess a positive, can-do attitude and relish new challenges;
• be extremely well organized;
• have a love of the arts and the nonprofit sector generally;
• be a quick learner and able to work flexibly and independently;
• enjoy the casual, creative atmosphere of this small business;
• be able to maintain a big-picture view of each project even while getting the details right;
• be comfortable presenting research findings to clients and at conferences.

Salary/Benefits: A freelance part-time contractor (would range from 10-15 hours per week, not in our office; hourly)

To Apply: Please e-mail a brief cover note and resume to Erin Funck. We are not looking for writing or report samples at this time. Please, no phone calls. We look forward to hearing from you.

EEO/AA: