Research Assistant, Executive Communications

Research Assistant, Executive Communications at Bentley Systems

This position is open to location and may be remote, hybrid or office-based.

Bentley Systems is seeking a detail-oriented Research Assistant for Executive Communications to bolster the CEO communications team. This crucial role ensures every CEO statement, statistic, and citation is rigorously grounded in verifiable evidence and supported by clear documentation prior to public release.

Job Summary

You will serve as the ultimate checkpoint for factual accuracy, meticulously validating all facts, figures, and claims across speeches, op-eds, press releases, and presentations. Practically, this involves establishing and maintaining a reliable documentation process that underpins the accuracy and credibility of all CEO communications—from sensitive investor materials to public blog posts.

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, intellectually curious, and exceptionally meticulous—someone who inherently ensures every 'T' is crossed and every 'I' is dotted. Reporting to the Executive Communications lead, you will be instrumental in guaranteeing that the CEO’s messages are accurate, consistent, and fully defensible.

Responsibilities

• Fact-Checking & Verification: Scrutinize all content for factual accuracy, maintaining a verifiable record of every source. Treat each public statement as an auditable item, ensuring it can be traced back to its evidence. This includes checking statistical claims, dates, names, and quotes in all CEO executive communications (speeches, articles, social media posts, etc.). For example, if a speech states “we grew by 30%,” you will confirm that number against official reports; if an op-ed cites an industry ranking, you will locate the original source to verify it. No content will be released without being accurate, fully sourced, and documented in the audit log.
• Research Support: Conduct rapid-turnaround research to substantiate key statements or address questions that arise during content development. This might involve researching recent AI adoption statistics, gathering background on infrastructure policy, or finding examples to reinforce a narrative point. You will compile your findings into concise briefs or annotated sources for the writers and strategists.
• Source Management: Build and maintain an organized archive of facts, figures, and references for the communications team. Over time, you will develop a comprehensive library of vetted data (with citations) on recurring topics, becoming the primary resource for “do we have a source for that?” inquiries. Establish and maintain a robust audit trail of all source materials and verification notes, ensuring every data point or quote in CEO communications can be readily substantiated if reviewed by legal, investor, or media stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Review: Work closely with speechwriters, content strategists, and the graphic designer to proactively identify and flag any unsupported assertions or potential inaccuracies in drafts. If something appears incorrect, you will investigate to find the accurate information. You will also coordinate with subject matter experts (internal or external) as needed to confirm technical details. As the final checkpoint before publication, you ensure CEO communications are accurate, consistent, and uphold the company’s reputation for integrity.
• Cross-Team Assistance: During periods of high volume or for special projects, provide research and fact-checking support to adjacent teams such as Corporate Communications or Investor Relations. This could involve verifying facts in a press release or double-checking figures in an investor FAQ document. This support not only aids other teams in meeting deadlines but also ensures a consistent standard of accuracy across all communications related to the CEO’s messaging.

Qualifications

• Education & Background: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Library Science, or a related field. Candidates with diverse backgrounds (e.g., research-intensive internships, academic research experience) are encouraged to apply. 0-2 years of experience in a research, writing, or fact-checking role.
• Obsessive Attention to Detail: A meticulous eye for accuracy is paramount. You take immense pride in catching even minor errors or inconsistencies in data. You consistently double- and triple-check facts and never assume information is correct without compelling evidence.
• Research Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in online research tools, databases, and advanced search techniques. You possess the ability to quickly locate information and critically evaluate the credibility of sources. Familiarity with academic journals, industry reports, and public data sets is a definite asset. You can effectively distill large volumes of information into the key points relevant to our messaging.
• Analytical Ability: Comfortable working with figures and performing basic data analysis. You are adept at using Excel to validate data (e.g., recalculating percentages, verifying totals) and identify anomalies. Experience with basic Python scripting or data tools is desirable (though not mandatory)—for instance, the ability to run a simple script to aggregate information or check consistency in datasets.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. You can clearly document your findings and articulate the rationale behind corrections or fact-check results. You are capable of writing succinct research summaries and source annotations that are easily understandable by the rest of the team.
• Curiosity & Initiative: Possess a naturally curious mindset with a strong drive to delve deeper. When presented with a claim, you instinctively seek to understand its veracity. You are proactive in asking questions and pursuing obscure references. You are self-directed in managing your tasks and take initiative to enhance our collective knowledge base.
• Team Orientation: Ability to thrive under tight deadlines and manage multiple concurrent requests. You maintain composure and a methodical approach even when faced with last-minute changes. You are comfortable adapting to support different teams as needed and take pride in being a reliable resource. Integrity and professionalism in handling potentially sensitive information are crucial.

Key skills/competency

• Fact-checking
• Verification
• Research methodologies
• Attention to detail
• Analytical thinking
• Source management
• Communication skills
• Data validation
• Content accuracy
• Collaboration