Research Manager - Qualitative Research - Mumbai

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

Job summary

Kantar in Mumbai seeks a Research Manager/Senior Research Manager to lead qualitative research projects, uncover consumer motivations and drive strategic insights. You will design research frameworks, guide discussions and analyze data with AI-enabled approaches to deliver actionable narratives for clients.

You will collaborate with clients and colleagues to interpret findings, craft compelling insight stories and strengthen partnerships within the qualitative team.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years in qualitative market research or insights.
• Experience building discussion guides and narratives.
• Comfort with AI-powered research tools.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver qualitative research projects from proposal to final recommendations.
• Develop research frameworks, discussion guides and screeners aligned to client objectives.
• Conduct and oversee focus groups, interviews, ethnography and online communities.
• Analyze qualitative data and apply AI-enabled tools to extract patterns and insights.
• Create compelling insight stories connecting consumer understanding to business outcomes.
• Build trusted client relationships and provide strategic guidance throughout projects.
• Identify cultural and category trends to inform opportunities.

Skills

Qualitative Research

Discussion Guides

AI Tools

Storytelling

Stakeholder Mgmt

Job description

We go beyond the obvious, using intelligence, passion and creativity to inspire new thinking and shape the world we live in.

Job Details

Kantar is the world's leading marketing data and analytics business. We deliver the intelligence needed to power brand growth.

We provide the signals that help organisations act quickly and confidently. We empower brands to make effective marketing decisions based on predictive evidence. And we help them craft powerful growth strategies rooted in the connection between consumers, brands and enterprise value.

All this is powered by our uniquely robust human and synthetic data, our unrivalled IP, our AI-native platform and the team of global brand experts that bring this all together.

Qualitative Unit 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.

Job Goals

• 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.

Ideal Skills & Capabilities

• 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.

What are we looking for

• 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.

Why Join Kantar?

We shape the brands of tomorrow by better understanding people everywhere. By understanding people, we can understand what drives their decisions, actions, and aspirations on a global scale. And if we combine the expertise of our people with the latest AI technology, we can really help brands discover some amazing insights.

And because we know people, we like to make sure our own people are being looked after as well. Equality of opportunity for everyone is our highest priority and we support our colleagues to work in a way works for them. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and sections of society. Even if you feel like you're not an exact match, we'd love to receive your application and talk to you about this job or others at Kantar

Location

Mumbai, The ORB BuildingIndia

Kantar Rewards Statement

At Kantar we have an integrated way of rewarding our people based around a simple, clear and consistent set of principles. Our approach helps to ensure we are market competitive and also to support a pay for performance culture, where your reward and career progression opportunities are linked to what you deliver.

We want to create an equality of opportunity in a fair and supportive working environment where people feel included, accepted and are allowed to flourish in a space where their mental health and well being is taken into consideration.

We want to create a more diverse community to