Senior Research Manager

The Insights Family; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Insights Family is seeking a Senior Research Manager in Manchester to lead the design and delivery of high-impact research across subscription services and bespoke client projects. You will shape approaches, ensure outputs are strategically valuable, and build trusted client relationships.

This fixed-term role supports maternity cover with a start date discussed during recruitment. The ideal candidate is an experienced quantitative researcher with strong analytical and leadership skills,

Qualifications

• Substantial relevant experience in audience insight or market research.
• Experience leading quantitative research projects end-to-end.
• Experience managing junior and mid-level researchers.

Responsibilities

• Design robust research approaches aligned to client needs and briefs.
• Own complex, high-value projects from brief to delivery.
• Oversee multiple projects ensuring quality, timeliness and commercial value.
• Identify risks, challenge assumptions and keep projects on track.

Skills

Quantitative research

Project leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Data storytelling

Commercial growth

Tools

Q

SPSS

Job description

At The Insights Family, our purpose is to help the world's leading brands navigate the rapidly evolving worlds of children, teenagers, young adults and families. Through the provision of continuous audience intelligence, we empower organisations across media and entertainment, toys and gaming, sport, food and drink, retail and consumer products to make more informed, commercially successful decisions.
Research Solutions is at the heart of that mission. We transform complex data into meaningful insight, helping our customers understand not just what is happening, but why it matters and what they should do next. Alongside our subscription services, we undertake specific projects on behalf of our customers, ranging from marketing effectiveness and creative assessments to attitude and usage studies and audience segmentations.

The Opportunity

In the Senior Research Manager role, you will lead the design and delivery of high-impact research across our subscription services and bespoke client projects. You will play a central role in shaping research approaches, ensuring outputs are strategically relevant and commercially valuable, and building strong, trusted relationships with clients.
This role is suited to an experienced quantitative researcher with substantial relevant experience who combines strong analytical capability with confident team and client leadership, and who can translate complex data into clear, compelling insight and stories that drives action.
We are recruiting now to support capacity during maternity cover. This is a fixed term position anticipated to last up to 12 months, with the intended start date and cover arrangements discussed during recruitment.

Experience

• Substantial relevant experience in audience insight or market research roles
• Strong track record of leading quantitative research projects from design through to delivery
• Proficient in managing junior and mid-level researchers
• Experience handling senior stakeholders and presenting insight with confidence and credibility
• Proven ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations
• Experience supporting commercial growth through identifying opportunities or shaping proposals

Data and Tools

• Advanced capability in quantitative analysis and working with complex datasets
• Strong proficiency in survey platforms and data analysis tools such as Q, SPSS, or equivalent
• Ability to independently determine appropriate analytical approaches and challenge assumptions

Core Capabilities

• Strong strategic thinking and ability to connect research to business outcomes
• Clear, confident communication and high-quality written output
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Commercial awareness and understanding of how insight creates value for clients
• Curiosity about kids’, teens’, and families’ behaviours, attitudes, and culture
• Understanding and interpretation of audiences

What You’ll Do

Research Design and Project Leadership

• Lead the design of research approaches, ensuring methodologies are robust, appropriate, and aligned to client needs
• Take ownership of complex and high-value projects from brief through to delivery
• Oversee multiple projects, ensuring quality, timeliness, and commercial value are consistently delivered
• Identify risks, challenge assumptions, and make informed decisions to keep projects on track

Data Analysis and Insight Leadership

• Lead the interpretation of complex datasets, identifying key themes, patterns, and implications
• Ensure outputs move beyond analysis to deliver clear, insight-led recommendations
• Set the standard for how insight is structured, communicated, and delivered across the team
• Support the continuous improvement of analytical approaches and outputs

Client Leadership and Commercial Contribution

• Act as a senior point of contact for key clients, building trusted and collaborative relationships
• Lead presentations, debriefs, and discussions with confidence and authority
• Translate business challenges into effective research solutions
• Identify opportunities to extend or deepen client relationships, contributing to commercial growth

Team Leadership and Development

• Line manage, coach, and support the development of researchers within the team
• Provide clear, constructive feedback to improve quality of thinking, analysis, and storytelling
• Support the development of team capability, particularly in advanced analysis and insight delivery
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Contribute to the development of research approaches, frameworks, and best practices
• Share knowledge and promote consistency in how research is delivered across the team
• Stay informed on trends in youth, media, entertainment, and consumer behaviour
• Contribute to broader initiatives such as thought leadership, marketing outputs, or industry events where appropriate

What Success Looks Like

• Delivers high-quality, insight-led outputs that influence client decision-making
• Builds strong, trusted relationships with clients and is seen as a valued partner
• Leads complex projects with confidence, ensuring both quality and commercial value
• Raises the standard of insight, storytelling, and thinking within the team
• Supports the development of others and contributes to overall team performance
• Demonstrates sound judgement and the ability to operate with autonomy

Our Culture

We are a curious, collaborative, and commercially focused team. We value:

• Clear thinking over complexity
• Insight over information
• Proactivity and ownership
• Continuous learning and development

Working arrangements

Working hours - 37.5/hours per week FTE. Part time equivalent will be considered. Role is based in our Manchester city centre HQ with an expectation of 3 days per week (Tues/Weds/Thurs) in the office.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Please notify us if you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.