Associate, Research (External Agency Staff)

About the role

The Research Associate is responsible for developing, analyzing, and distributing football research that supports the NFL Media Group. This role will assist in ensuring editorial consistency, factual accuracy, and statistical context across all platforms. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of football history, statistics and current events, along with excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills. The NFL Media Group is seeking a collaborative and detail-orientated professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can support multiple projects while meeting tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of editorial content, ensuring ideas are properly executed into graphics, segments, features, and other content for live studio shows.
• Contributes to daily content distribution plan that pushes targeted research materials to content creators throughout the Media Group.
• Develops original storylines, notes, nuggets and boards that provide statistical context around events, news stories and topical issues.
• Identify and anticipate league and team trends, applying relevant statistics to create compelling content.
• Ensures factual accuracy of all research content.
• Works within our standards for high-quality research content while maintaining tireless work ethic on a consistent basis.
• Works closely with coordinating producers, producers, editors, writers, talent, and digital teams.
• Make significant contributions to Weekly Research Notes, breaking news coverage, and numerous research-related projects supporting the Media Group.
• Collaborate with the Research team on best practices regarding both dedicated show research and general research support.
• Assists in training for new seasonal research staff.
• Recommend improvements to research methods, tools, and standards.
• React quickly to breaking news and adhere to strict deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree.
• 3-5 years of professional experience working with statistics or covering and analyzing sports events and news.
• Strong foundation of knowledge of current and historical football statistics, news, events and milestones.
• Must be technologically savvy, with strong command of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Strong familiarity with digital and social media platforms.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and adapt quickly to breaking news and changing priorities.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in sports media.
• Previous work experience working for or covering the NFL.
• Proven track record of success working with high profile broadcasters.
• Knowledge of football research databases/resources a plus (i.e. Pro Football Reference, Pro Football Focus, Next Gen Stats, etc.).
• Strong understanding of the football media landscape, including emerging platforms and competing properties.
• Detailed knowledge of television production processes, including awareness of key editorial roles.

Other Key Attributes / Characteristics

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and departments.
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

Travel

Possible travel to events, less than 10%.

Terms / Expected Hours of Work

Required to work 40 hours per week with potential for overtime. Required to work nights and weekends around NFL games and tentpole events. This is an in-office position. This job