Data Journalist, Economics & Research Group

About the Role:

The CIH Data & Analytics organization produces data-driven research and content that help agents, consumers, and the media understand what's happening in housing markets. We are looking for a Data Journalist to help us find the story in the data and bring it to life for a broad audience.

You will work directly with the Chief Economist to turn housing market analysis into editorial content — reports, commentaries, social media, and visualizations — that is accurate, engaging, and built on rigorous data.

Responsibilities: 

Writing & Editing

• Write and edit market reports, economic commentaries, and narrative summaries of housing data for agents, consumers, and media.
• Translate findings from quantitative analysis into stories that are accessible to non-expert audiences.
• Edit and refine content from the economics team for clarity, structure, and narrative coherence.
• Contribute to regular publications including market outlooks, regional reports, and luxury market coverage.

Data Journalism & Research

• Work with housing and economic datasets to identify trends, anomalies, and narratives worth telling.
• Collaborate with the Chief Economist to develop story angles and frame data findings as editorial content.
• Fact-check data claims and ensure accuracy and consistency across all published content.

Data Visualization

• Produce charts, graphics, and interactive visualizations that communicate data findings effectively.
• Develop a consistent visual style for Compass research output across reports, presentations, and social media.
• Work with tools such as Flourish, Datawrapper, or similar platforms.

Content Distribution

• Adapt research content for different formats and channels, including social media, email, press releases, and agent-facing materials.
• Support media and PR efforts by preparing data summaries and backgrounders for journalists.

Requirements:

• Career experience:  5+ years of experience as a data journalist, business reporter, analyst, writer, or editor in online media or print journalism
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Journalism, Communications, Economics, or a related field.
• Proven track record of published work translating data or economic topics for general audiences.
• Experience working directly with data — pulling, cleaning, and analyzing datasets to find the story. Experience with tools such as Excel, Python, or R.
• Experience producing graphics for publication using tools such as Flourish, Datawrapper, or similar.
• Strong understanding of economics, financial markets, and real estate.

Other Skills: 

• Background in business, financial, or economic journalism.
• Experience at a media outlet, research firm, or within a chief economist's team.
• Familiarity with real estate data sources such as MLS, Census, or BLS.
• Experience producing content for both editorial and brand publishing contexts.
• You should know and exemplify the Compass Entrepreneurship Principles

Research & Analysis

• Monitor and synthesize macroeconomic trends, including Fed policy, labor markets, consumer sentiment, inflation, and interest rates, and translate their implications for residential real estate markets.
• Produce regional and local market analyses that bring national macro insights down to the metro, neighborhood, and price-tier level.
• Contribute research on topics such as luxury market dynamics, the impact of AI on labor markets and housing demand, and geographic market segmentation.

Content & Communication

• Write research reports, market commentaries, and data-driven narratives for agents, consumers, journalists, and institutional partners.
• Contribute analysis and writing to Compass market intelligence publications, including luxury and high-end market reporting.
• Prepare data summaries, charts, and talking points for media and PR efforts.

Data Visualization & Presentation

• Produce data visualizations that make economic and housing data accessible and engaging.
• Build presentation materials for agents, sales meetings, and leadership briefings.

Modeling & Forecasting

• Build and maintain housing market forecasting models incorporating macroeconomic inputs such as mortgage rates, employment, and GDP.
• Apply econometric techniques including regression analysis and time series modeling to support market outlooks.

Requirements: 

• Graduate degree in Economics, Applied Economics, Real Estate, Statistics, or a related quantitative field preferred.
• Strong understanding of macroeconomics with knowledge of housing markets, mortgage finance, Fed policy, labor markets, and consumer economics.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain economic concepts to non-expert audiences.
• Experience producing charts and graphics for research or media; familiarity with tools such as Flourish or Datawrapper.
• Experience producing published research, market reports, or economic commentary.

Other Skills: 

• Experience in real estate economics, housing finance, or urban economics.
• Background at a research institution, think tank, bank, or government agency.
• Experience collaborating with editorial or communications teams on consumer-facing content.
• You should know and exemplify the Compass Entrepreneurship Principles

Compensation: The base pay range for this position is $125,500-$139,400 annually; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Bonuses and restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of benefits. Base pay is based on market location. Minimum wage for the position will always be met.