Senior Research Director

Wearehuman8; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing insights consultancy is seeking a Senior Research Director to guide the transformation into a marketing insights agency. This role requires approximately 10 years of experience, mentoring teams, and driving strategic client engagement. The ideal candidate will excel in insights activation, storytelling, and leveraging AI tools to drive client growth. Join us to shape the future with empathy and innovative solutions in Manchester.

Benefits

Work alongside great people

Autonomy and accountability in client growth

Opportunity to master human empathy and technology

Qualifications

• Approximately 10 years of professional experience in relevant roles.
• Strong foundation in understanding human behavior.
• Experience in mentoring and inspiring teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and select methodologies to address business objectives.
• Synthesize complex data to identify patterns and trends.
• Drive commercial outcomes and manage client relationships.
• Inspire and develop a team of insights professionals.

Skills

Strategic Vision & Commercial Acumen

Critical Thinking & Problem Framing

Executive Storytelling & Influence

Insight Synthesis & Activation

Client Leadership & Collaboration

People Leadership & Learning Culture

Technical & AI Comfort

Human-Centric Mindset & Behavioral Science

Education

Degree in Social Sciences, Psychology, or Business

Advanced study or Master's degree

Tools

AI-assisted analysis tools

Digital qualitative platforms

Job description

Senior Research Director

Department: Client Teams

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Manchester

Description

As Human8 transforms from a research-led organization into a true marketing insights consultancy, this role is at the forefront of that evolution. The Senior Research Director is not just a leader of clients or projects – you are a catalyst for change, shaping how we partner with clients and how we deliver impact.

You operate at the intersection of human understanding, marketing expertise, and strategic foresight, turning insights into bold actions that redefine brands and experiences. Your mission is to lead the shift from data delivery to strategic activation, embedding consultancy principles into every engagement.

Externally, you are the trusted advisor who reframes client challenges, inspires confidence, and co-creates solutions that accelerate growth. Internally, you champion our transformation – mentoring talent, advancing methodologies, and fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning. You ensure Human8’s promise of Human Spark shines through in an AI-driven world, combining empathy and creativity with cutting-edge tools to deliver undeniable commercial impact. Kindly note that we have an office London and Manchester, and will be accepting applicants from either location.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Insight Activation & Storytelling

• Design and select optimal methodologies (phases, methods, sample) to address core business objectives and test hypotheses.
• Uncover the deeper truth by going beyond the brief to identify unstated client needs, question assumptions, and pinpoint the real business challenges.
• Synthesize complex data and integrate findings from multiple sources (qualitative, quantitative, cultural) to identify powerful patterns, trends, and "what's next" implications.
• Craft compelling narratives by transforming data into boardroom-ready, insight-driven stories for both foundational ("Now") and forward-looking ("Wow") stages that inspire action.
• Build client capabilities and develop actionable toolkits, playbooks, and strategic road maps to guide ongoing client marketing decision-making.

Client Consulting & Commercial Growth

• Drive commercial outcomes by identifying, creating, and converting opportunities to grow existing and new client revenue at target margins.
• Act as a trusted advisor and manage senior client relationships, setting strategic direction, managing scope, and ensuring exceptional delivery satisfaction.
• Lead strategic workshops by designing and facilitating AI-assisted client workshops across Innovation, Brand, and Experience to unlock new value.
• Deliver actionable foresight and synthesize complex information to provide clear, memorable implications and strategic "how to win" recommendations grounded in commercial reality.

Practice Leadership & Business Impact

• Inspire, coach, and develop a team of insights professionals into future strategic consultants.
• Champion excellence and innovation by guiding project teams, setting research direction, and ensuring the highest quality of delivery across all engagements.
• Shape the future of the practice and contribute to our market-facing thought leadership and drive the evolution of our consultancy offerings and internal culture.

Commercial & Strategic Acumen

• Demonstrated expertise in applying knowledge across key marketing domains: Brand Strategy, Experience Design, Innovation, and Segmentation to deliver client value.
• Ability to leverage deep understanding of client-specific context, competitive landscapes, and sector dynamics to inform all strategic recommendations.

Technical & Analytical Expertise

• Proficiency in leveraging advanced tools, including AI-assisted analysis and our proprietary canvases, to drive efficiency and uncover deeper meaning.
• Mastery in designing and managing engaging digital qualitative platforms, including online communities and asynchronous activities.

Understanding Human Behavior

• Deep, applied knowledge of behavioral science principles, social influence, and cultural context to uncover the "why" behind consumer actions and provide richer, more predictive insights.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• We are seeking candidates with approximately 10 years of professional experience in relevant roles. We value a strong foundation in understanding human behavior and applying structured thinking to complex problems, typically developed through a degree in a relevant field (such as Social Sciences, Psychology, or Business) or equivalent practical experience. Advanced study or a Master's degree is a plus.
• Strategic Vision & Commercial Acumen: Ability to translate insights into forward-looking strategies that drive measurable business impact. Deep understanding of marketing domains (Brand, Experience, Innovation, Segmentation) and commercial realities.
• Critical Thinking & Problem Framing: Skilled at reframing briefs, questioning assumptions, and diagnosing unstated client needs to uncover the true business challenge.
• Executive Storytelling & Influence: Expertise in crafting compelling, boardroom-ready narratives and visualizations that inspire action and secure stakeholder buy-in.
• Insight Synthesis & Activation: Proficiency in integrating complex, multi-source data (qualitative, quantitative, cultural) into clear implications and actionable roadmaps, toolkits, playbooks, and marketing assets.
• Client Leadership & Collaboration: Proven ability to act as a trusted advisor, lead strategic workshops, and foster co-creation with clients and cross-functional teams to unlock new value.
• People Leadership & Learning Culture: Experience in mentoring and inspiring teams, modeling curiosity and continuous learning, and embedding a culture of growth and innovation.
• Technical & AI Comfort: Knowledge of advanced tools, including AI-assisted analysis, proprietary canvases, and digital qualitative platforms, to enhance efficiency and insight depth.
• Human-Centric Mindset & Behavioral Science: Deep applied knowledge of behavioral science principles, cultural context, and empathy-driven approaches to uncover the “why” behind consumer behavior and build authentic connections.

Job Benefits

• You will work alongside great people to define the future of the industry, not just adapt to it.
• You will master the intersection of deep human empathy and cutting-edge technology.
• You will have the autonomy and accountability to identify opportunities, grow client revenue, and see your recommendations directly accelerate client growth.