Research Manager

DMCC Branch; Dubai; On-site; AED 257,000 - 331,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insights and consulting firm in Dubai is seeking an experienced Research Manager to lead and manage research projects. The role involves developing innovative research proposals, driving business development, and fostering strong client relationships. Candidates should have proven experience in market research, strong project management skills, and excellent communication abilities. This position offers an opportunity to mentor junior staff and contribute to team development in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in market research with strong knowledge of research techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders effectively.
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage research projects from proposal to presentation.
• Develop innovative research proposals tailored to client needs.
• Drive business development to meet sales targets.
• Build and nurture client relationships for long-term engagement.
• Coach and mentor junior staff in research skills.

Skills

Market research experience

Project management

Excellent communication

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Research Manager to join our fast-paced team of seasoned researchers, marketing professionals and consultants. This role is pivotal in delivering high‑quality insights and driving strategic decision‑making for our clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage research projects across the full lifecycle from proposal development to final presentation.
• Develop innovative and commercially viable research proposals tailored to client needs and participate in client meetings to shape primary research strategies.
• Drive business development activities to meet sales targets, including responding to enquiries and requests for proposals.
• Build and nurture client relationships both new and existing, ensuring long‑term engagement and satisfaction.
• Coach and mentor junior staff to help them develop core research skills and grow professionally.
• Support team development by mentoring peers and contributing to company‑wide initiatives.
• Participate in organisational activities such as training days, CSR events and team away days.
• Manage freelance researchers as needed to support project delivery.

Requirements

• Proven experience in market research with strong knowledge of research techniques and methodologies – quantitative preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders effectively.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and client‑facing experience.
• Leadership and team development capabilities.

Location

Dubai Jumeirah Lakes Towers, United Arab Emirates

Kantar Rewards Statement

At Kantar we have an integrated way of rewarding our people based on a simple, clear, and consistent set of principles. Our approach helps to ensure we are market competitive and also to support a pay‑for‑performance culture where your reward and career progression opportunities are linked to what you deliver.

Required Experience

Manager

We want to create an equality of opportunity in a fair and supportive working environment where people feel included, accepted and are allowed to flourish in a space where their mental health and well‑being is taken into consideration.

We want to create a more diverse community to expand our talent pool, be locally representative, drive diversity of thinking and better commercial outcomes.

Kantar is the world's leading data insights and consulting company. We understand more about how people think, feel, shop, share, vote and view than anyone else. Combining our expertise in human understanding with advanced technologies, Kantars 30,000 people help the world's leading organisations succeed and grow.