Senior Research Associate, Surveys & Analysis

As an ASHA Senior Survey Research Associate, you will be an integral part of the Surveys and Analysis Team, collaborating with Association staff, membership, volunteer leadership, and other external stakeholders while leading survey research projects from start to finish.  Your expertise in survey instrument design, data collection methodologies, and analytics will be critical to driving impactful outcomes that align with ASHA’s mission and goals.

Every day, you will:

• Lead Survey Development and Execution: Design, develop, and manage comprehensive survey instrument and research projects. Oversee data collection strategies, ensuring methodological rigor, data quality, and representativeness.
• Conduct Advanced Analyses: Use statistical and qualitative methods to analyze complex data sets, synthesizing key insights to inform organizational decisions and inform strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate and Communicate: Partner with a variety of business units to meet research needs and align finding across the organization. Present findings in clear, actionable formats that cater to a variety of audiences, from technical experts to executive leadership.
• Drive Innovation: Stay abreast of emerging survey technologies, research methods, and data visualization trends. Proactively recommend and implement innovations that enhance the quality and efficiency of ASHA’s survey research program.

To thrive in this role, you need to:

• Be Mission-Oriented: Show genuine enthusiasm for using research and data to make a difference in a nonprofit setting.
• Own Your Projects: Embrace independence in your work, knowing that a supportive, expert team is always ready to back you up.
• Communicate with Impact: Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights, adapting your message for technical colleagues and organizational leaders alike.
• Stay Curious: Welcome new ideas, methods, and technologies that keep our research approaches cutting-edge.
• Enjoy the Journey: We are serious about our work but love a good laugh (or nerdy conversation). 

Bonus points if you:

• Have a healthy appreciation for office snacks and can contribute to impromptu team debates on whether cookies should be dunked in milk or if a taco qualifies as a sandwich.

 I. Purpose 

The Senior Survey Research Associate will support the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) by managing survey research projects that meet the needs of Association membership, volunteer leadership, staff, and external stakeholders. This position involves designing methodologically sound survey instruments, coordinating survey fielding, managing datasets, and producing accessible and actionable reports. The incumbent will work collaboratively with various ASHA units to develop, implement, and communicate survey research findings effectively. Additionally, the role includes assisting with focus group research and ensuring the dissemination of information through the ASHA Website and Intranet, making survey data and insights accessible to a broad audience. 

II. Key Responsibilities 

1. Collaborate with business units, ASHA boards, committees, and councils to develop and implement survey research projects that align with the needs of Association membership, volunteer leadership, staff, and external stakeholders
2. Design and draft methodologically sound survey instruments in response to requests, ensuring that the resulting data will effectively serve organizational needs
3. Coordinate the fielding of survey projects using online survey tools, including developing project timelines, overseeing data collection, and managing resulting datasets
4. Prepare accessible technical reports, research publications, and other documents to communicate findings clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, ensuring that results are user-friendly and actionable
5. Assist with focus group research for volunteer leadership and staff, including supporting the development of moderator guides, coordinating focus group sessions, and reporting on results
6. Provide research expertise and technical assistance to National Office staff, ASHA constituents, committees, boards, and councils regarding survey methodology and data interpretation.

III. Position within ASHA 

IV. Autonomy & Decision Making: 

The incumbent works under the direction of the Senior Director of Analytics. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate independent decision-making regarding technical issues in the implementation, conduct, and reporting of all Association surveys, evaluation, and data-gathering activities. Broad latitude is given to the position to determine approaches, procedures, and methodologies for accomplishing the work. Work receives administrative review from the Senior Director of Analytics. 

V. Qualifications & Skills

Qualifications: 

a. Knowledge typically acquired through:

• Three or more years of experience in survey design, implementation, and data reporting in a professional or academic setting
• Master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders, social sciences, behavioral and decision sciences, program evaluation, survey research, public policy, public health, or a related discipline

b. Skills 

• Demonstrated skills in and knowledge of survey design, implementation, data management, evaluation research methodology and advanced quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis
• Demonstrated ability to produce accessible and user-friendly reports and dashboards for stakeholders with varying technical expertise
• Demonstrated ability to demonstrate high ethical standards in interpreting and conveying research results
• Demonstrated intermediate-level skills with word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint preferred)
• Demonstrated competency with online survey tools (SurveyMonkey preferred) for creating and sending surveys and analyzing data
• Demonstrated intermediate-level skills with statistical software platforms (SPSS preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage ongoing and emergent projects, either on an individual basis or as a leader of or participant on cross-office teams
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and complicated detail work in an organized fashion in the face of changing priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (i.e., ability to express ideas and convey information clearly and logically) 
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with integrity
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct, and set and meet deadlines 
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for continuous learning

VI. Universal Expectations of ASHA Staff

At ASHA, we believe in working together to make well-informed decisions that will advance the association and the discipline of human communication sciences and disorders; teamwork is vital to achieving our mission, vision, and maximizing impact. As committed stewards of the organization, we care deeply about our professions, members, and staff, and building a strong and welcoming community. We strive to ensure that everyone's voice is heard and valued. We are dedicated to helping each other grow and innovate by encouraging open communication and continual learning. Our focus is on delivering excellent service  and value to members, advancing equity, and promoting diversity, inclusion, and the power of science and research. 

VII. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

ASHA is an equal opportunity employer.  As such, it is ASHA’s policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard for race, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation or LGBT status, genetic information, citizenship, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ASHA's Bylaws. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation and benefits, upward mobility, training and development, access to facilities, termination, and other personnel actions. 

VIII. Disclaimer

This job description reflects the primary responsibilities of the job but is not a detailed description of all duties which may be required of someone in the position. All ASHA staff are expected to take on additional responsibilities from time to time and to help their colleagues.