Research Manager - Qualitative Research

Kantar; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Kantar Mumbai is seeking a Research Manager / Senior Research Manager to lead qualitative research that uncovers motivations, behaviours and cultural contexts shaping consumer choices. You will design impactful studies, interpret data and craft compelling insight stories for clients, blending AI-enabled approaches with qualitative methods to unlock growth.

As an integral member of the qualitative team, you will develop frameworks, guide discussions and build trusted client partnerships while

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in qualitative market research, consumer insights or strategic consulting.
• Ability to build discussion guides, analyse qualitative data and develop impactful stories.
• Experience using emerging AI-powered research tools to enhance analysis.
• Strong presentation and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver qualitative research projects from proposal through to final recommendations.
• Develop research frameworks, discussion guides and screeners aligned to client objectives.
• Conduct and oversee qualitative methodologies including focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnography, online communities and digital approaches.
• Analyse qualitative data and apply AI-enabled tools to identify patterns, themes and actionable insights.
• Create compelling insight stories that connect consumer understanding to business outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and provide strategic guidance throughout the research process.
• Identify cultural, behavioural and category trends informing decision-making and opportunities.

Skills

Qualitative research

AI-enabled tools

Insight storytelling

Client presentation

Stakeholder management

Research design

Tools

AI-powered tools

Job description

Role Overview

At Kantar, we help brands understand people and make better decisions. As a Research Manager / Senior Research Manager, you will lead qualitative research that uncovers the motivations, behaviours and cultural contexts shaping consumer choices. Combining human understanding with innovative methodologies and AI-enabled approaches, you will deliver insights that help clients make confident business decisions and unlock growth.

You will work closely with clients and colleagues to design impactful research, interpret complex data and create compelling insight stories. As an integral member of the qualitative team, you will contribute to strengthening client partnerships and advancing how consumer understanding is delivered.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver qualitative research projects from proposal through to final recommendations.
• Develop research frameworks, discussion guides and screeners aligned to client objectives and business challenges.
• Conduct and oversee qualitative methodologies including focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnography, online communities and emerging digital approaches.
• Analyse qualitative data and apply AI-enabled tools to identify patterns, themes and actionable insights.
• Create compelling insight stories that connect consumer understanding to business outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and provide strategic guidance throughout the research process.
• Identify cultural, behavioural and category trends that inform decision‑making and future opportunities.

Skills

• Apply qualitative research techniques to understand consumer behaviour, culture and decision‑making.
• Analyse and synthesise qualitative data to develop evidence‑based narratives and recommendations.
• Use emerging technologies and AI‑powered research tools to enhance efficiency, depth and quality of insight generation.
• Present complex findings clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences.
• Combine analytical rigour, creativity and commercial awareness to solve client challenges.

Requirements

• Experience of 3 to 5 years into qualitative market research, consumer insights or strategic consulting.
• Demonstrated ability to build discussion guides, analyse qualitative data and develop impactful stories, narratives.
• Comfortable using emerging technologies and AI‑powered research tools to improve efficiency and depth of analysis.
• Excellent presentation, storytelling and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance analytical rigour with creativity and commercial thinking.

Location

Mumbai, India