Research Manager

MasterCard; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company in London seeks a Research Manager to lead and manage research projects. The role requires 8+ years of experience in primary research and a strong background in banking or digital technology. Ideal candidates will have excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, alongside proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel. This position offers an opportunity to work in a fast-paced, client-focused environment with a commitment to delivering high-quality insights.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience in primary research.
• At least 2 years of experience leading research teams.
• Proven experience in banking or financial services is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end-to-end research projects across multiple sectors.
• Design and execute quantitative research and analyze data.
• Conduct qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in relevant field

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Job description

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart, and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships, and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses, and governments realize their greatest potential.

Research Manager Overview

The Advisors Research Center (ARC) is a dynamic and rapidly growing capability designed to meet the evolving needs of clients through high-quality research support. Our mission is to deliver value by transforming data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Research Manager to join our European team, based in London, UK.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead and manage end-to-end research projects across multiple sectors, with a focus on financial services, digital technology, and payments.
2. Design and execute quantitative research (e.g., survey design, data collection, statistical analysis).
3. Conduct qualitative research (e.g., in-depth interviews, focus groups, online forums).
4. Manage and mentor a team of researchers, ensuring high-quality project delivery and professional development.
5. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into research objectives.
6. Synthesize complex data from multiple sources into clear, insightful presentations and strategic recommendations.
7. Ensure timely and accurate delivery of research outputs in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.

Qualifications & Experience

1. Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience in primary research (quantitative and qualitative).
2. At least 2 years of experience leading research teams.
3. Background in a research agency or consulting environment.
4. Proven experience in banking, payments, financial services, or digital technology is highly desirable.
5. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
6. Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

Education & Language Skills

1. Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
2. Native-level fluency in English is required.
3. Fluency in other European languages is a plus.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks come with an inherent risk to the organization. Therefore, every person working for or on behalf of Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach; and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

About Us

Everyone wants easier ways to pay; we invent them.

Checkout lines are slow; we speed them along.

Merchants want more sales; we give them data and insights.

People need financial access; we connect them.

Corporate purchasing is complicated; we make it simple.

Commuters are busy; we speed them on their way.

We help create them.

Small businesses are virtual; we give them access to a world of buyers.