U.S. News & World Report is a multifaceted digital media company dedicated to helping citizens, consumers, business leaders and policy officials make important decisions in their lives. We publish independent reporting, rankings, data journalism and advice that has earned the trust of our readers and users for 90 years. Our platforms on usnews.com include Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News and 360 Reviews.
We reach more than 40 million people monthly during moments when they are most in need of expert advice and motivated to act on that advice directly on our platforms. Our signature franchises include our “Best” series of consumer guides on colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, diets, cars, financial services and more. These guides provide an easy-to-digest list for consumers to better understand and compare when making their decisions. We continue to publish annual guides of the authoritative Best Colleges and Best Hospitals rankings on our website and in print. And our U.S. News Live flagship conferences highlight important national conversations including Healthcare of Tomorrow and Healthiest Communities.
We believe in having a broad range of talent and backgrounds at U.S. News. We strive to maintain a welcoming workplace where everyone is given an opportunity to succeed and contribute to their fullest. Learn more about our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative.
Your role in helping us shape the future:
U.S. News empowers everyone to thrive. In this position, you will have the opportunity to leverage your strengths and skills to help people make smart decisions about the things that really matter. The Research Analyst, Commerce will analyze sleep, home goods, and digital privacy/tech related products and services, including mattresses, identity theft, and streaming services using our unique 360 approach of unbiased, data-driven reviews. The 360 Reviews team operates as a startup within the larger U.S. News organization, giving it a fast-moving, innovative culture, along with the stability of an established and respected media company. Analysts on the 360 research team have the opportunity to make a real impact on the development and direction of a U.S. News product. Though 360 Reviews is based in our Washington, DC office, this position is open to remote workers.
Collaborating with an enthusiastic team of product managers, SEO analysts and editors, the Research Analyst, Commerce will have the opportunity to leverage strengths and skills to analyze and review the developments of methods and models to make recommendations about products and services to people who visit our website.
Are you up to the challenge?
- Conduct and review analyses of Mattresses, Streaming Services, Identity Theft, among other categories as the point person in the quickly growing Commerce vertical
- Assign and review the collection of research data, including web search volumes and other key metrics, to support new online initiatives within the Commerce vertical of 360 Reviews
- Assign and review any Commerce data points gathered by the offshore team
- Test and implement optimizations on each of the Commerce research methodologies
- Work closely with the editorial, product, tech, and offshore team members to optimize pages and review data quality for accuracy
- Create and update tracking spreadsheets for various research projects
- Collaborate with editorial and 360 Reviews Labs to incorporate product testing into the methodology
- Oversee and optimize the methodology, data, processes, and improvements for US News’s 360 Reviews consumer rankings and ratings
- Conduct research to source data and develop statistical algorithms that can turn data into actionable information for consumers
- Create new rankings products and improve existing ones in collaboration with our editorial, technology, design, and business teams
- Cultivate relationships with data providers and identify new partners to support and improve our rankings projects
- Implement processes and systems to ensure that all rankings leverage best practices for data management and quality assurance
You should definitely have:
- A bachelor’s degree
- 1 - 3 years of relevant experience
- Strong Excel/Google Sheets data analysis skills and the ability to pinpoint and fix small errors in spreadsheets
- Experience with SEO and SEMRush
- Experience with quantitative research methodologies (ex: survey)
- Excellent communication and organization skills
- Experience with working with market industry reports
- Experience conducting 1:1 interviews and focus groups
It would be nice if you had:
- A love of helping consumers make smart choices
- Experience working with online content management systems
- Prior experience using AP style
- Self-starter who can identify opportunities to improve content and better engage our audience
- Ability to create roadmaps, manage your own project timelines, and meet multiple deadlines
- Previous experience working with project management tools such as Airtable and Jira
- Entrepreneurial / startup experience.
What it’s like to work with us:
Talent is our best asset!
We invest in people with passion and potential who understand U.S. News’ dedication to our consumers.
- Entrepreneurial, mission-driven culture with core values of quality and integrity
- Focus on fostering personal and professional growth
- Competitive benefits including paid vacation time, medical, tuition reimbursement, and training
- Collaborative Work Environment : Fun, diverse, inclusive and ambitious co-workers
Other Job Info:
- These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job.
- Preference for New York or Washington, DC based applicants to work a hybrid schedule in those office locations.
- U.S. News & World Report strongly encourages all employees to be fully vaccinated (including boosters).
- The anticipated base salary for this position is $57,000 - $67,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, interview performance, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.
