Who We Are

30,000 products are launched every year, and 90% of them fail. Highlight is the first and only end-to-end agile product testing platform, enabling the efficient collection of scaled product performance data. Brands like Nestle, P&G, and Estee Lauder rely on Highlight for competitive benchmarking, pre-launch formulation testing, in-market product renovation, and more, to optimize product success. Highlight, launched in 2021, has seen runaway growth and scale, having tested hundreds of products at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional analog methods, and becoming the dominant SaaS platform in the product testing space. Highlight is a woman-owned, minority-owned startup on a mission to create better products for people and the planet. We’re a diverse and collaborative team committed to fostering an environment of innovation, impact, and growth.

Highlight is a fast-paced, high-growth company changing how brands test physical products along the product development lifecycle. We are focused in 2025 on bolstering our team of functional experts whose contributions will deepen relationships with core customers, defend the unique value we’re providing today, and propel future growth by embedding research expertise into our software.

We are seeking a Senior Research Specialist focused on Data & Reporting to support the transformation of raw data into actionable insights that drive informed decision-making. The ideal candidate has expertise in research best practices, descriptive and inferential analyses, data visualization, and the interpretation of findings. This role requires a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to identifying and solving challenges. Strong analytical skills, clear and concise communication, and the ability to translate complex data into meaningful insights are essential for success in this role.

• Data Analysis & Visualization: Conduct descriptive and inferential analyses with precision. Create clear, compelling data visualizations and reports to effectively communicate insights.
• Customer Advisory: Align with stakeholders on deliverables, offering recommendations on statistical analysis, data visualization, and reporting. Present findings clearly to drive alignment on key takeaways.
• Insight Generation & Reporting: Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to generate meaningful insights. Collaborate with internal teams to interpret results and develop strategic recommendations.
• Custom Data Solutions: Utilize internal analytics tools to create custom data deliverables, including banner tables, database exports, data stacking, and significance testing. Tailor solutions to project needs.
• Process Improvement: Develop best practices to enhance data analysis and reporting quality. Identify opportunities for greater efficiency and enforce standard operating procedures.
• Problem-Solving: Proactively troubleshoot data challenges, identify root causes, and implement solutions to maintain high-quality deliverables.
• Communication & Collaboration: Ensure polished, timely communication and follow-through on issues, action items, and escalations. Work cross-functionally to align on analytical approaches and present insights effectively.

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Psychology, Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in research, data analysis, or a related field
• Expertise in survey research, including weighting, cross-tabulation, and significance testing
• Commitment to quality control, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and zero-defect customer deliverables
• Proficiency in survey tools (Typeform, Qualtrics, Decipher, Alchemer, SurveyMonkey)
• Strong analytical skills to synthesize and interpret data, providing actionable insights
• Experience crafting storytelling reports for qualitative and quantitative research (e.g., focus groups, concept tests, segmentations, product tests)
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, formulas, and macros
• Proficiency in SPSS or Stata; SQL knowledge is a plus

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision) with 100% of employee premiums covered
• Unlimited PTO
• Flexible, remote WFH culture
• Access to the iconic Hearst Tower & its facilities in NYC (should you choose to ever be in person)
• Based on previous experience and skillset, the starting salary range for this position: $75,000 - $93,000 annually

You don’t need to meet every qualification listed to apply—we value potential, curiosity, and diverse perspectives. At Highlight, we believe that innovation thrives when different experiences and ideas come together. We’re committed to building an inclusive team where individuals of all backgrounds - including but not limited to - race, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, and more—feel empowered to contribute and grow.

If you’re a critical thinker who’s not afraid to challenge assumptions, we’d love to hear from you. We’re a passionate, supportive team that puts Humans First , cares about each other, and yes—we take our tacos seriously.