Managing Director

Aptitude Recruitment; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Aptitude Recruitment is seeking a commercially minded Managing Director in Sydney to drive strategy, brand, operations and culture across a growing consumer research and strategy consultancy.

You will lead revenue growth, marketing initiatives, hiring and quality control while advising senior marketers and client teams. The role requires hands-on leadership across the full business and a track record of delivering high-impact projects.

Qualifications

• Commercial leadership experience within a research, insights or marketing consultancy, ideally with P&L accountability.
• Ability to grow new business capability as a consultancy scales.
• Strong content, events and thought leadership to build brand presence.
• Experience with finance, CRM and operating systems to keep a business running efficiently.
• Familiarity with structured business operating frameworks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic vision and manage business planning and reporting.
• Oversee brand and marketing initiatives across content, PR, social and events.
• Lead new business development and strategic client relationships.
• Manage financial performance, including pricing, budgeting and forecasting.
• Mentor and coach senior team members across strategy, research and operations.
• Deliver high-impact projects spanning concept, packaging, sensory and brand strategy work.

Skills

Commercial leadership experience

P&L accountability

Business development

Job description

A boutique Sydney-based consumer research and strategy consultancy trusted by some of Australia's most ambitious FMCG and retail brands. The team works closely with clients on high-impact projects across product, packaging and brand strategy, combining rigorous research with a hands-on, commercially minded approach. It's a close-knit, people-first business known for long-term client relationships and the team have a genuine say in how the company runs.

The Role

We're looking for a commercially minded Managing Director to lead strategy, brand, operations and culture at a growing consumer research and strategy consultancy. It's a hands-on leadership role spanning the full business, from revenue growth and marketing through to hiring and quality control, while acting as a trusted advisor to senior marketers and client teams.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic vision and manage business planning and reporting
• Oversee brand and marketing initiatives across content, PR, social and events
• Lead new business development and strategic client relationships
• Manage financial performance, including pricing, budgeting and forecasting
• Mentor and coach senior team members across strategy, research and operations
• Deliver high-impact projects spanning concept, packaging, sensory and brand strategy work

About You

• Commercial leadership experience within a research, insights or marketing consultancy, ideally with P&L accountability
• Confidence growing new business capability as a consultancy scales
• A strong hand at content, events and thought leadership that build brand presence
• Comfortable working across finance, CRM and operating systems to keep a business running efficiently
• Familiarity with structured business operating frameworks is a plus