Associate Director

Harnham; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Career progression

International projects

Job summary

Harnham in London is seeking an experienced qualitative research leader to own a high-performing client services team within a global healthcare insights environment. You will deliver complex projects, develop talent, strengthen client relationships, and drive operational excellence across a growing function.

As Associate Director Qualitative Research, you will lead and mentor the team, manage project delivery and client challenges, and partner with senior leadership to improve processes,

Qualifications

• Strong commercial experience within qualitative market research.
• Experience leading, coaching, or developing research teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences research.
• Strong stakeholder management and client relationship skills.
• Excellent project management, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word).
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on project oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a client services team, supporting performance and career growth.
• Manage project delivery, ensuring studies are on time, on budget, and high quality.
• Escalate complex project and client challenges and drive solutions.
• Build relationships with clients and internal stakeholders to improve service delivery.
• Monitor team productivity, project quality, and commercial performance.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to improve processes and efficiency.
• Support adoption of best practices across client services and project management.
• Oversee onboarding, training, and continuous development within the team.
• Partner with commercial teams to ensure a seamless client experience.

Skills

Commercial experience

Team leadership

Project management

Healthcare knowledge

Stakeholder management

Communication

Office suite

Strategic leadership

Hands-on oversight

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Word

Job description

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced qualitative research leader to take ownership of a high-performing client services team within a global healthcare insights environment. You will play a key role in delivering complex research projects, developing talent, strengthening client relationships, and driving operational excellence across a growing function.

The Company

They are a global research and insights organisation supporting leading healthcare and life sciences businesses with high-quality market research solutions. Operating internationally, they deliver qualitative and quantitative research that helps clients make informed strategic decisions. With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and collaboration, they have built an excellent reputation for delivering impactful insights and exceptional client service.

The Role

As Associate Director Qualitative Research, you will lead a team responsible for delivering complex qualitative market research projects from brief to completion.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading, mentoring, and developing a client services team, supporting performance and career growth
• Managing project delivery, ensuring studies are completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard
• Acting as a senior escalation point for project and client challenges, identifying solutions and driving successful outcomes
• Building strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders to enhance service delivery
• Monitoring team productivity, project quality, and commercial performance
• Collaborating with senior leadership to improve processes, systems, and operational efficiency
• Supporting the implementation of best practices across client services and project management functions
• Overseeing onboarding, training, and continuous development initiatives within the team
• Partnering with commercial teams to ensure a seamless and positive client experience

Your Skills & Experience

• Strong commercial experience within qualitative market research
• Previous experience leading, coaching, or developing research teams
• Expertise in managing multiple research projects within a fast-paced environment
• Experience working with healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences research projects
• Strong stakeholder management and client relationship skills
• Excellent project management, organisational, and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on project oversight

What They Offer

• Salary of £60,000 - £70,000depending on experience
• Hybrid working model based in London
• Exposure to international, high-profile healthcare research programmes
• Clear opportunities for progression into more senior leadership positions
• Collaborative and supportive culture focused on professional development