Policy & Data Visualization Associate

National Journal’s Presentation Center seeks a Policy & Data Visualization Associate to join our Syndicated team of experts producing insight and intelligence on how Washington works. 

National Journal is a premier research and insights company committed to helping organizations effectively navigate Washington. Best known as one of Washington’s most trusted media brands for nearly 50 years, our expertise is unmatched with teams of specialists dedicated to government affairs, communications, and political research, as well as exceptional journalism. Our mission is to equip the thousands of government and business leaders in the nation’s capital with the intelligence, insights, and connections they need to save time, increase efficiency, and deliver success. 

This role will be part of National Journal’s associate program. This program’s curriculum intends to give our associates the benefit of comprehensive training plus real-world experience in analysis, research methods, and approach to insight-led reporting. The training will range from identifying client challenges and synthesizing research findings to visualizing data and communicating insights. 

What is National Journal’s Presentation Center Syndicated? 

We analyze, synthesize, and visualize news and information related to policy and politics, creating content exclusively for senior public policy practitioners and government affairs executives. Our diverse membership includes policymakers and senior professionals from leading companies, nonprofits, and associations. 

Each week, we develop hundreds of slides, curating and translating complex policy information and election analysis into easy-to-edit slides and charts. Using this background and our expertise, our team creates content on policy and politics, delivering 40-60 bespoke deliverables per week. 

About our future Policy & Data Visualization Associate: 

• You have a deep interest in American politics: how it works, policy and legislation, and the people in charge 

• You are a skilled writer, able to convey facts and ideas with concision and accuracy 

• You are excited by all types of research–both quantitative and qualitative–and apply a high level of rigor and strong data hygiene practices to all phases of work

• You “nerd out” when presented with data outputs, and you creatively apply tools to uncover critical (and unexpected) trends in data

• You know when to shift gears, when to dive deep into data exploration, and when to distill the information gathered to produce actionable insight, keeping to project deadlines

• You know that research must be made accessible to be consumed and are skilled at producing graphically-oriented research summaries

• You are always excited by the prospect of teaching what you’ve learned, putting your superior writing skills and excellent oral communication skills to good use

• You listen and quickly adapt when requirements change, exhibiting a willingness to “go above and beyond” in service to others; you are equally effective working independently or in a team

• You are skilled at identifying the appropriate way to present given complex material based on the intended message, context, and audience

• You are a “policy wonk,” and while you may be deep on one topic, you are conversant and knowledgeable across several topic areas

In this role, the Policy & Data Visualization Associate:

• Conducts research on policymakers, policy, and politics using a variety of sources and search tools

• Creates high-quality presentations based on primary (quantitative and qualitative) data sources and secondary news sources

• Drafts high-quality, in-depth profiles that cover the essential information about an individual’s life, career, and policies

• Extracts key insights for an executive audience, conveying them in clear, concise written and visual summaries, employing data-driven charts, maps, and graphics where appropriate

• Actively participates in content planning and product development sessions

• Serves as an individual contributor and team player, both authoring content and editing peers’ work 

• Assists with database management as necessary

• Explains public policy issues for a non-Washington audience; excels in understanding news developments in a variety of policy areas, like infrastructure, trade, health care, or the federal budget 

• Explores opportunities to integrate AI, automation, and other tools into our workflow, increasing efficiency and enhancing output quality

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate: 

• 1-3 years (post-undergraduate) experience conducting research in a professional setting; an excellent academic record

• Excellent data management skills and ability to synthesize quantitative/qualitative research, distilling large amounts of information into concise bullets, charts, and graphics 

• Experience analyzing and visualizing data, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint

• Basic fluency with Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini); background in computer science or programming considered a plus

• Excellent time management and judgment; demonstrated proficiency managing competing project priorities and adhering to timelines

• Demonstrated interest in public policy and politics

• Outstanding client-service ethic and entrepreneurial spirit; track record of building new initiatives from conception to execution

• Strong creative thinking skills and resourcefulness in problem-solving

Employment Type: Full-time

Compensation: The salary for this role is $50,000 - 55,000

Remote Status: This job is based in Washington, DC. National Journal operates on a hybrid schedule, with employees required to be in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. During the month of August 2025, National Journal teams will be fully remote.

About Us

Across National Journal Group, generally, the firm looks for two “pillar gifts” in you, and everyone else.  In all of us, these are more aspirational than actual, but they are central in our intentions –

• Force of Ideas:  At the center of National Journal Group work are the ideas within our writing.  We believe that ideas – to the good and not – have consequences.  Our highest work is bringing rigor, insight, intellectual honesty, to that ultimate purpose of separating the bad from the good, and giving voice to the latter.

• Spirit of Generosity:  National Journal Group seeks in its ranks a spirit of generosity – a natural disposition in each colleague toward service and selfless conduct.  National Journal Group writing should be cut from the same cloth –critical on the merits but informed by charity and forbearance in measuring motive and personal character.

National Journal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.