Strategic Researcher

Position Title: Strategic Researcher

Reports to: Director of Legal Affairs

Bargaining Unit: Exempt

About WSNA: Washington State Nurses Association is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington. As a professional association and union, we represent more than 21,000 bargaining unit members for collective bargaining and the professional interests of more than 103,000 registered nurses. For more than 100 years, WSNA has championed issues that support nurses, advance professional standards, and improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations in Washington state.

Position Summary

The Strategic Researcher provides high-level research and analytical support to advance WSNA’s collective bargaining program and organizational priorities. This role plays a critical part in identifying strategic opportunities, strengthening negotiations, and supporting campaigns that enhance WSNA representation and advance policy initiatives impacting Registered Nurses in Washington State.

Duties and Responsibilities Common to All Positions:

• Supports WSNA Purpose, Mission, Vision, and Goals.
• Works with others, role modeling collaboration, communication, and teamwork.
• Strives for excellence in work performance.
• Remains current in the field of expertise.
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet association needs, including participation in staff teams and committees.
• Acquires and maintains knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Strategic Researcher

1. Conduct in-depth financial, industry, and labor market analysis of hospitals and health systems, worker wages, and benefits to support WSNA bargaining positions and efforts.
2. Identify and assess strategic leverage points in engagements with employers; develop data-driven, evidence-based narratives to advance organizational objectives.
3. Serve as subject matter expert during negotiations, analyze employers’ and their stakeholders' financial position, the fiscal impact, labor costs associated with WSNA and employer proposals, especially wages and benefits.
4. Prepare and deliver clear, persuasive written and verbal analyses to support WSNA bargaining units and leadership decision-making.
5. Develops educational materials, reports, and presentations to support collective bargaining, organizing efforts, and issue-based campaigns.
6. Translate complex quantitative and qualitative data into accessible insights for staff, members, and external stakeholders.
7. Prepares reports, leads training, and provides research-based education to staff, members, and community partners to strengthen engagement and advocacy efforts.
8. Simplify, through written and verbal communication, complex substantive issues into accessible information for Association leaders, members, and relevant stakeholders.
9. Monitor and analyze local, state, and national trends within the healthcare industry and the nursing profession, identifying implications for the Association.
10. Compile, maintain, and disseminate information about contract language, including provisions and best practices across WSNA bargaining units.
11. Develops and implements surveys and other tools to assess members' priorities and inform bargaining and organizing strategies.
12. Conduct research and analysis on legislative and policy issues relevant to the Association’s strategic priorities.
13. Support the evaluation of potential and ongoing organizing campaigns by providing strategic research and analysis to guide resource allocation and decision-making.
14. Collaborate closely with WSNA bargaining teams and lead negotiators to share findings, refine research approaches, and incorporate feedback.
15. Advise bargaining teams on feasibility, cost implications, and strategic positioning of proposals, including, but not limited to, options for reconciling differences with WSNA and employer positions.
16. All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Health Policy, or a related social science field required; advanced degree preferred. Experience working with or supporting labor unions is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research and analysis of employer, industry, and government data; familiarity with legislative and regulatory research and financial analysis is a plus.
• Expertise in advanced research methodologies, including digital information gathering, data synthesis, and analysis. Proven ability to engage professionally with staff, members, and external stakeholders.
• Strong technical proficiency with complex computer applications, along with advanced quantitative, analytical, and computational skills. Project management experience from concept through execution is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet concurrent deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively represent the organization to diverse internal and external audiences.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships, identify common ground, and foster consensus among diverse stakeholders to enhance collaboration.
• Demonstrated capacity to perform effectively in high-pressure environments while managing multiple, concurrent deadlines.
• Skilled in translating complex, in-depth research into clear, compelling narratives that advance organizational strategy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Requirements

This job requires:

• Meeting routine office physical demands, including climbing stairs, carrying up to 20-pound objects, and possessing the dexterity and vision to operate office computers and equipment.
• Occasional travel throughout the State, including overnight stays, is required.
• A valid driver’s license in the state of Washington and access to an operational motor vehicle that is currently insured.

The Strategic Researcher is included in the Program Specialist job classification and is subject to the WSNA-Teamsters Local #117 Contract provisions. This salary ranges from $89,635.10 to $169,738.61 annually.

WSNA provides a generous benefits package that includes employer-paid individual health, dental, vision, and life insurance, fifteen paid holidays, twelve personal days per year, twenty-two vacation days per year, one day of sick leave per month, and a defined benefit pension plan.