About the Role

Ogilvy is looking for an Applied Behavioral Scientist - someone who has practically applied behavioral science knowledge to engage people to drive climate related actions and to help steer the outreach strategy for our government clients. We are looking for an entrepreneurial, innovative self-starter with an ability to effectively communicate behavioral science principles and design interventions to drive action.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience working within a dynamic and multifaceted team environment, a strong background in applied behavioral science, knowledge of what works to drive climate actions, and be able apply this knowledge to complex projects.  The candidate is expected to be curious, have a strong and informed point of view, and confidently provide insights and guidance to teams working across diverse but connected initiatives.  

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing practice within a mission-driven, versatile, and collaborative team. This role will primarily support FEMA, with whom Ogilvy has a long-standing relationship. Our current work centers around the Community Engagement and Risk Communication (CERC) contract, which focuses on growing awareness of, and resilience towards natural disasters in American communities. As the nation continues to come to terms with the long-term effects of climate change, this work is increasingly important.  

The Consultant will be a part of a specialist Behavioral Science Practice within Ogilvy who research and apply the latest thinking in cognitive psychology, social psychology and behavioral economics to create impactful behavior change in the real world.  Our team has over a decade of expertise in everything from behavior change communications (recently doubling the number of bins in London households), to behavioral safety, social change, product design, unconscious bias, growth strategy, health and well-being. Our work is featured at Nudgestock.com and here Ogilvy Behavioral Science Annual 2022.

What You’ll Do

Consulting and Capacity Building

• Establishes and advances behavior change strategy, methods, and resources, using proven methodologies for organization-wide adoption for various community engagement, planning, innovation, and capacity building activities.
• Identifies opportunities for educating internal and external teams on how behavioral science can be best utilized, from strategic planning to audience understanding to project design and execution.
• Develops communications and training materials (narratives, messaging, talking points, training, etc.) and leads the development of behavioral science-focused materials.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for behavioral science, championing behavioral science trends, learnings, and examples, and builds understanding and behavioral science skills across the team.

Project Management

• Tracks and helps team members identify behavioral science needs and activities across the contract, serving in a consultative role to both team and client, establishing best practices and opportunities for behavioral science support.
• Contributes to contract reporting activities to track progress, and document successes, risks, and challenges.
• Works with the contract leadership team, Behavioral Science Director, and Ogilvy’s Behavioral Science Practice to shape opportunities and projects, tapping a wider network of expertise and support on a project-by-project basis.
• Helps with client education and rollout, to gain buy-in for the value of the behavioral science approaches.
• Mentor members of the team, sharing expertise, experience, and knowledge to help grow their applied skills
• Works with client and internal leaders during strategic planning, to identify and articulate behavioral science applications to meet desired outcomes.
• Collaborates with team and related behavioral science team members for maximum success.

What You’ll Need 

• 3 – 5 years of applied behavioral science experience
• Strong knowledge of behavioral science and its key concepts, including the application of behavioral science principles across multiple categories, complex programs, and initiatives
• Proven ability to bring a creative mind-set to each facet of project delivery, from research methodology and problem diagnosis to workshop stimulus and output delivery
• Experience contributing to or
• Experience using behavioral science principles and best practices and methodologies to develop strategic plans and uncover behavioral insights
• Detailed and fluent knowledge of behavioral science and key concepts and theories
• Capable of interpreting research from a range of quantitative and qualitative sources and techniques (academic literature, ethnographic and complex data sets)
• Confident and engaging presenter capable of translating academic insights into a broader business context
• Proven ability to champion creative ideas and creative approaches to research
• Behavioral Science credentials and training. Relevant Master’s degree desired (fields such as cognitive or social psychology, organizational psychology, neuroscience).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative and inspiring team member
• Ability to sustain focus and leadership throughout a long-term process
• Vision for identifying and improving current ways of working
• Experience working with Government agencies a plus

How We’ll Support You

Ogilvy celebrates its people. Fully. Enthusiastically. Unhesitatingly. We’ll empower you with the tools you’ll need to succeed. We’ll give you the autonomy to seek out new paths and better ways of doing things. We’ll support you with colleagues who are experts in their disciplines, drawn from across the Ogilvy network. And we’ll provide opportunities for you to do work of which you’ll be proud, with people you’ll be proud to call your teammates.