Associate, Investor Research & Insights

About the Role

Breakwater Strategy's Capital Markets division seeks a talented Associate to join their global advisory team. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to help deliver high-level research and actionable strategic counsel to clients navigating complex, time-sensitive, and value-driven environments. You'll operate at the crossroads of analytical work, communications, and corporate strategy—crafting research that sharpens organizational understanding of market sentiment, investors, and other stakeholders. Your contributions will directly shape how clients respond to challenging situations, build credibility, and create long-term value.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop research materials such as screeners, surveys, and guides for interviews and focus groups.
• Analyze and distill research results to highlight major trends, recommendations, and their implications.
• Create top-quality presentations and other client deliverables that effectively convey strategic findings.
• Work with outside research vendors and project partners to ensure projects run smoothly and uphold quality standards.
• Enhance the practice's research processes, analysis techniques, and knowledge resources.
• Coordinate with internal teams to support wider communications and consulting projects.
• Assist in generating new business by researching markets, drafting proposals, and preparing for client pitches.
• Travel as needed for client projects or research assignments.

Candidate Profile

This role is ideal for a highly motivated entry-level professional with one to two years of hands-on experience—internships or jobs—in areas related to capital markets, research, or advisory services. The ideal applicant is analytical, pays strong attention to detail, communicates expertly, and enjoys intellectual challenges in a dynamic, confidential, and high-stakes setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 1–2 years of relevant experience (including internships).
• Demonstrated analytic and organizational skill, meticulous work habits, and commitment to high-quality output.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication, adept at producing polished products for executive stakeholders.
• Professionalism, eagerness to learn, and resilience in deadline-driven environments.
• Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research approaches is preferred.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint required; capability with research, data analysis or visualization tools is a plus.

Additional Information

The anticipated annual salary for this position in Washington, DC is between $65,000 and $68,000 USD.