Research Specialist, Social Marketing

ICF Open · verified Aug 22, 2026

Reston Full-time Mid-level General Marketing

Mid-level General Marketing role at ICF. Reston · full-time · $74,090–$125,954 base.

SalaryStated by ICF

$74,090 – $125,954

Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.

This role, from ICFOur estimate for the market: $103,000–$116,000

Below the market median of $114,000 for mid-level general marketing roles in Reston.

Worked out from 5 postings that stated pay, median $114,000. Last updated Mar 10, 2026.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

You’ll create recruitment tools, surveys, interview guides, and other data-collection materials
You’ll select samples, gather research data, and coordinate interviews or survey work
You’ll analyze qualitative and quantitative findings with tools such as NVivo, SPSS, or SAS
You’ll turn results into reports, visuals, presentations, and client-meeting updates
You’ll manage research approvals, vendor purchasing, proposals, timelines, and budgets

What you bring

You hold a master’s degree in public health, social or behavioral sciences, marketing, or a related discipline
You bring at least five years of social science research experience, including qualitative or quantitative work
You communicate clearly in English, stay organized, and manage competing deadlines
You can lead research tasks independently and explain complex findings to nontechnical audiences
You have experience with research analysis tools such as SAS, Stata, SPSS, NVivo, or MaxQDA

Who this fits

This role suits someone building a mixed-methods research career while supporting several projects. You’ll need to work effectively in a fast-paced setting with competing priorities and strict deadlines. The position will ultimately be onsite at ICF’s Rockville, Maryland office, and Spanish fluency is preferred.

From the employer

Our strategic health communications and social marketing work tackles some of society’s greatest challenges and drives audiences to make positive attitudinal and behavioral changes.

A growing research team needs a self-starter to support formative, process, and summative evaluations that guide the planning, implementation, and revision of national health communications and social marketing campaigns. This entry-level position is ideal for someone who is starting a career in mixed methods (i.e., qualitative and quantitative) research and likes to support multiple projects.

We seek to hire a Research Specialist to support formative, process, and summative evaluations that guide the planning, implementation, and revision of national health communications and social marketing efforts.

Job Location: This role will ultimately sit onsite at our Rockville, MD office location.

As a Research Specialist you will:

Develop recruitment and data collection materials (e.g., surveys or interview guides).
Conduct sampling (e.g., develop literature review search terms and interview/survey inclusion/exclusion criteria and draw samples).
Conduct data collection (e.g., extract information from the literature review sources, facilitate interviews, or coordinate survey data collection).
Conduct data analysis (e.g., code text using software such as NVivo, or analyze campaign outcome data in SPSS, SAS, or some other software program).
Create reports and presentations (e.g., draft white papers or develop data visuals using software such as Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint).
Present research plans, updates, or findings at client meetings.
Lead purchasing, subcontracting, and consulting requisitions by obtaining and comparing vendor and consultant quotes, establishing suitable justifications, developing or modifying forms, and processing payments.
Lead research review processes (e.g., IRB or OMB approval).
Contribute to project proposals and research plans that describe project purpose, methods, and staffing and provide an estimated timeline and budget.

As a Research Specialist will have:

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in public health, social or behavioral sciences, marketing, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in social science research to include experience in conducting qualitative or quantitative research

Professional Skills

Strong verbal and written communication and organizational skills
Proficiency in English
Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work under strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Desired Qualifications

PhD in public health, social or behavioral sciences, marketing, or a related field
Strong qualitative and/or quantitative research experience, including research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation
Demonstrated ability to independently lead research activities, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality work
Experience applying behavioral science, human-centered design, or Design Thinking approaches to understand audiences and inform recommendations
Ability to translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights for clients and nontechnical audiences
Proficiency with statistical and/or qualitative analysis software, such as SAS, Stata, SPSS, or NVivo or MaxQDA
Experience in PowerBI or Looker Studio
Spanish fluency preferred

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration. Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact Candidateaccommodation@icf.com for assistance.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. 

Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. 

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.  

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$74,090.00 - $125,954.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)