Insights Analyst @ NPR | Simplify Jobs

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Application Deadline:

Please submit your application by 5:00 pm EST on October 23rd, 2026

Intro to Position

You will be critical to building a new, leaner, audience-centric, data-driven app that serves NPR and partnering stations in multi-modal formats. As the Insights Analyst, you will support data-informed decision-making for NPR’s digital ecosystem. Central to this role is hands-on SQL expertise—writing complex queries against massive, unaggregated datasets, translating raw digital behavior into actionable product insights.

In this role, you will be the main point of contact to create measurement plans, implement and QC analytics tags, build automated dashboards, and perform deep-dive analyses across app, web, and video platforms. Working closely with digital product teams, the newsroom, and member station leaders, you will apply a blend of data curiosity and technical pragmatism to expand weekly audiences, increase listening hours, and deepen daily habits.

This role reports to the Audience Insights Director, Digital Insights.

This is a union-represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with NABET-CWA DMU.

Responsibilities

Advanced SQL Analysis & Querying: Independently write, optimize, and streamline complex SQL queries across app, video, and web datasets; regularly handle raw event data, including unnesting nested arrays and struct fields (e.g., BigQuery GA4 export).
Tagging Implementation & QC: Develop and manage measurement plans for NPR's owned and operated platforms using Google Tag Manager; conduct quality control (QC) and validation of tracking tags across releases.
Data Infrastructure & Automation: Maintain and optimize scheduled queries, data summaries, and automated reporting pipelines to support sustainable backend data hygiene.
Stakeholder Consultation & Dashboards: Partner closely with Product and Data Products teams to design, build, and maintain interactive dashboards (e.g., Looker) and establish self-service analytics frameworks for internal stakeholders.
Product Optimization Insights: Support product analytics needs for the NPR App, website, and video platforms, extracting actionable user habit and audience retention insights.
Data Quality & Troubleshooting: Diagnose, investigate, and resolve data discrepancies, tracking errors, or underlying schema issues across reporting tools.
Documentation & Best Practices: Write clear technical guides, tagging specifications, and documentation for app, video, and website analytics standards.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with product managers, editorial teams, and technical groups to translate business questions into technical measurement plans and data infrastructure updates.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

2+ years of hands-on SQL experience: Demonstrated proficiency writing complex queries from scratch, working with relational databases and enterprise data warehouses (e.g., BigQuery, Dataform).
Raw Data & Array Manipulation: Proven experience querying large-scale, raw digital event datasets (such as GA4 raw exports), including demonstrated skill in unnesting arrays and handling complex record structures.
2+ years of App & Digital Analytics: Direct experience with app and web event tracking (Firebase, GA4, or similar platforms) and understanding the full tracking lifecycle from tag firing to analysis.
Tag Management Expertise: 2+ years of experience creating measurement plans and testing/QCing tracking implementations via Google Tag Manager (GTM).
Data Visualization & Tools: Experience building reports and dashboards in Looker (or similar BI tools) alongside advanced spreadsheet modeling capabilities (Google Sheets/Excel).
Cross-Functional Communication: Proven ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical teams, translating stakeholder needs into structured data infrastructure plans.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience within news media, public broadcasting, or digital content platforms.
Experience modeling or analyzing data using statistical scripting languages (R or Python).
Familiarity with building sustainable data governance or self-service analytics systems.

Required Skills/Competencies

Advanced SQL & Raw Data Querying: Fluent in writing efficient SQL queries against high-volume, event-level and unaggregated data
Tagging & Analytics Implementation: Technical competence in digital analytics architecture, Google Tag Manager deployment, Firebase event tracking, and data QA protocols.
Data Visualization & Storytelling: Proficiency in transforming raw SQL query outputs into intuitive Looker dashboards and clear spreadsheets for stakeholder decision-making.
Cross-Functional Alignment: Strong partner capable of bridging the gap between digital product managers, software engineers, and editorial teams.
Analytical Problem-Solving: A self-starter mindset dedicated to identifying root causes of data anomalies, writing clear documentation, and iteratively improving data systems.

Work Location & Requirements

NPR Remote-Permitted: This is a remote-permitted role. This role is based out of our Washington, D.C. office, but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position.

Job Type

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S.-based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $91,276.23 to $98,294.51 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Benefits: NPR provides comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

#LI-REMOTE

The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Pay Range

$91,276.23—$98,294.51 USD

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to [email protected].

You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.

Want more NPR? Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra blog. Get social with NPR Extra on Facebook and Instagram. Find more career opportunities at NPR.org/careers.

NPR Pay Range 91276.23 - 98294.51 USD

About the company

NPR provides trusted, in-depth news and cultural storytelling to a national audience through radio, online content, and live events. It publishes reports from a nationwide network of award-winning journalists and 17 international bureaus, collaborating with member stations to reach listeners wherever they are. NPR’s products include radio broadcasts, online articles and multimedia stories, and podcasts, which are produced by reporters, editors, and producers and distributed through member stations, NPR.org, and its apps. Unlike many other media outlets, NPR emphasizes independent, fact-based reporting and a broad range of perspectives across ideas, cultures, and arts. The company’s goal is to help the public stay informed and engaged—cultivating understanding and thoughtful dialogue about current events and society.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$22M

Headquarters

null

Founded

1970

Get referred to NPR

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Judge Randolph Moss’ March 31, 2026 ruling blocked Trump’s defunding order.
Machine Gods launches in October 2026 and reaches YouTube, podcasts, radio, and app users.
NPR’s reorganization preserved climate, science, international, and business coverage despite consolidation.

What critics are saying

Congress’ July 2025 rescission killed CPB appropriations, slashing NPR’s fee base and stability.
May 2026 buyouts and layoffs cut 28 newsroom jobs after an $8 million gap.
If station-fee and sponsorship declines persist, NPR’s newsroom shrinks faster than competitors’ audiences.

What makes NPR unique

NPR’s 17 international bureaus and member-station network deliver unmatched national-local reporting reach.
The September 16, 2026 Machine Gods deal expands NPR into video-first AI programming.
NPR’s public-service brand still commands trust across broadcast, podcasts, and local station affiliates.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth

Yahoo Finance

Sep 16th, 2026

Kevin Roose and Casey Newton launch 'Machine Gods' AI show with NPR

Kevin Roose and Casey Newton have partnered with NPR for distribution and ad sales of their new show, "Machine Gods". The twice-weekly, video-first programme about AI will launch in October on YouTube and as a podcast, with NPR bringing it to radio in early 2027. The show is the first venture from Machine Gods Media, the company Roose and Newton formed after leaving "Hard Fork" at the New York Times. They own the company 50-50 and have hired producers, with plans for more staff. NPR's chief content officer Nadine Zylstra approached the pair shortly after joining this summer. The deal reflects NPR's strategy to reach new audiences whilst attracting creators with its radio reach. Zylstra says NPR wants to strike more deals with outside talent.

NPR

Jun 11th, 2026

NPR merges climate desk into national department amid $15M revenue drop

NPR is folding its stand-alone climate desk into a larger national desk as part of a newsroom restructuring that reduced staff by 28 positions and consolidated departments from 11 to eight. Two climate journalists departed, whilst eight will continue reporting on climate within the national desk. The restructuring comes as NPR faces financial pressures from the withdrawal of $500 million in annual federal funding. Although recent donations totalled $113 million, revenue from member stations is expected to drop by $15 million under a new fee system. Editor-in-Chief Thomas Evans said climate coverage will not diminish and may increase as more reporters on the national desk contribute climate stories. Climate Solutions Week and coordination with member stations will continue, with senior supervising editor Sadie Babits leading the climate team.

NPR

Jun 8th, 2026

NPR hires Nadine Zylstra as chief content officer from Pinterest

NPR has hired Nadine Zylstra as chief content officer, a role vacant for nearly a year. She will start in July, tasked with expanding audiences for NPR's news, entertainment and music content across digital platforms. Zylstra joins from Pinterest, where she served as global programming chief. She previously led YouTube Originals and was a top programming executive at Sesame Workshop. NPR President Katherine Maher praised her experience in mission-driven media and understanding of audience engagement. The appointment comes as NPR faces challenges including declining broadcast audiences and recent federal funding cuts. The network recently cut 30 newsroom positions but secured over $113 million in gifts to improve technology and distribution. Zylstra will oversee NPR's newsroom, music, podcasts and related departments, though editorial decisions will remain with Editor-in-Chief Tommy Evans.

NPR

May 18th, 2026

NPR cuts newsroom jobs to fill $8M budget gap despite receiving $113M in donations

NPR is offering buyouts to approximately 300 employees, mostly journalists, as it restructures its newsroom to address an $8 million budget gap. The shortfall stems from reduced corporate sponsorship and the elimination of federal subsidies for public media stations, which pay NPR programming fees. Editor-in-Chief Thomas Evans says the network plans to consolidate several news desks, merging coverage areas including culture, education and sports into a society-and-culture desk, whilst combining science and climate reporting. The Washington desk will expand to cover power and policy developments. If 30 staff members don't accept voluntary buyouts by 26th May, targeted layoffs will follow. The cuts come despite NPR receiving $113 million in recent donations, though most funds are earmarked for technology infrastructure. The network is also negotiating to require journalists to work in-office at least three times weekly from autumn.

Associated Press

Mar 31st, 2026

US judge blocks Trump order cutting NPR and PBS funding, citing First Amendment violations

A US federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump's executive order to cut federal funding to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, citing First Amendment violations. Judge Randolph Moss ruled the order constitutes viewpoint discrimination and retaliation. Moss wrote that the order punishes NPR and PBS for "past expression" and seeks to silence viewpoints Trump dislikes. He noted Trump had previously stated he would "love" to defund the organisations due to perceived liberal bias. NPR and PBS welcomed the ruling as a victory for press freedom. However, significant damage has already occurred, as Congress separately eliminated general federal appropriations, forcing the closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The ruling's operational impact remains unclear pending likely appeals.

NPR

Insights Analyst - Implementation & QA

About the job