Survey Manager - Research Operations

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 279,000 - 424,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM Middle East Ltd in Riyadh is seeking a Survey Manager - Research Operations for a senior market research role focused on survey design, data quality, and end-to-end project delivery.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, translate findings into actionable recommendations for clients and internal stakeholders, and ensure timelines, budgets, and compliance. This is a high-impact leadership position in a dynamic market.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in survey management or market research with strong methodological depth.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage client expectations.
• Strong communication skills to explain complex analyses in business terms.

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee survey instruments aligned with objectives and stakeholder needs.
• Manage end-to-end survey projects from planning through fieldwork, analysis and reporting.
• Present findings to clients and senior stakeholders with clear, actionable recommendations.
• Monitor schedules, budgets, quality, and compliance across projects.
• Coach and develop junior researchers and analysts within the team.

Skills

Survey instrument design

Questionnaire development

Sampling methodology

Quantitative research

Statistical analysis

Data interpretation

Survey quality assurance

Research project management

Fieldwork coordination

Data validation

SPSS

R

Data visualization

Research reporting

Executive presentations

Budget management

Cost control

Client relationship management

Stakeholder coordination

Research ethics and compliance

Team leadership

Training and mentoring

Tools

SPSS

R

Survey software platforms

Job description

Survey Manager - Research Operations Job Snapshot

Role

Survey Manager - Research Operations

Location

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Industry

Market Research

Function

Market Research

Experience

15 years

Job Type

Full-time

Position Overview

The Survey Manager - Research Operations role in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is a senior Market Research opportunity focused on survey design, statistical analysis, data quality, and research project delivery. AECOM is hiring an experienced manager to lead end-to-end survey programs, supervise multidisciplinary teams, and translate complex findings into practical recommendations for clients and internal stakeholders.

Job Details

Country: Saudi Arabia

City: Riyadh

Industry: Market Research

Function: Market Research

Salary: 25000-38000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in Riyadh; please confirm the final offer with the employer.

Gender: Any

Nationality: Any

Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Survey Manager will oversee the full research cycle, from defining objectives and developing questionnaires to controlling data collection, completing statistical analysis, and presenting final findings. The position requires a balance of methodological expertise, project leadership, commercial awareness, and clear stakeholder communication. Accurate survey results can influence project planning, investment decisions, service improvements, and organizational strategy. This manager will protect research quality by applying suitable sampling methods, monitoring performance indicators, resolving data issues, and ensuring that each project meets agreed timelines, budgets, and compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Design survey instruments and questionnaires that align with research objectives and stakeholder information needs.
• Select appropriate sampling frameworks, response scales, research methods, and data collection approaches.
• Manage survey assignments from initial planning through fieldwork, analysis, reporting, and final presentation.
• Establish project schedules, staffing requirements, budgets, milestones, and quality expectations.
• Oversee data collection activities and introduce validation procedures that protect accuracy and completeness.
• Monitor response rates, sample quality, survey completion patterns, and fieldwork performance.
• Investigate incomplete, inconsistent, duplicated, or unreliable responses and coordinate corrective action.
• Analyze quantitative survey data using statistical techniques and specialist analytical software.
• Identify meaningful trends, correlations, patterns, risks, and stakeholder insights.
• Convert technical results into clear recommendations that support management and client decisions.
• Prepare research reports, executive summaries, visual presentations, dashboards, and supporting documentation.
• Present findings to clients, senior leaders, project teams, and audiences with different levels of technical knowledge.
• Coordinate with internal departments to confirm requirements, resolve issues, and maintain delivery progress.
• Manage client expectations by providing accurate updates on scope, timing, methodology, and research limitations.
• Maintain survey platforms and assess tools that could improve automation, data quality, or operational efficiency.
• Apply recognized research standards, ethical requirements, privacy principles, and regulatory controls.
• Lead, coach, and develop survey researchers, analysts, coordinators, and supporting team members.
• Review project expenditure and keep survey activities within approved financial limits.
• Evaluate completed projects and refine methodologies based on performance data and lessons learned.

Ideal Profile

The position requires at least 15 years of professional experience in survey management, market research, quantitative research, or a closely related discipline. Candidates should demonstrate substantial knowledge of questionnaire development, sampling methodology, statistical analysis, data interpretation, and research quality assurance. A successful applicant will be comfortable managing several assignments at once while controlling schedules, resources, costs, and stakeholder expectations. Strong written communication and presentation skills are essential, particularly the ability to explain complex analytical findings in practical business language. Experience leading research teams, advising clients, and mentoring junior professionals is required. Familiarity with advanced statistical applications such as SPSS or R will be highly beneficial, together with experience using digital survey platforms and data visualization tools.

Skills Set

• Survey instrument design
• Questionnaire development
• Sampling methodology
• Quantitative research
• Statistical analysis
• Data interpretation
• Survey quality assurance
• Research project management
• Fieldwork coordination
• Response rate optimization
• Data validation
• SPSS
• R
• Survey software platforms
• Data visualization
• Research reporting
• Executive presentations
• Budget management
• Cost control
• Client relationship management
• Stakeholder coordination
• Research ethics and compliance
• Team leadership
• Training and mentoring

Why Join Us

This role provides the opportunity to direct high-value research activities that can shape decisions across infrastructure, buildings, planning, and development programs. The successful candidate will combine analytical expertise with leadership responsibility while improving how survey information is collected, evaluated, and applied. AECOM offers access to multidisciplinary specialists, complex regional projects, advanced research requirements, and international professional networks. The position creates scope to strengthen technical leadership, develop research teams, and introduce more efficient survey methods within a growing Saudi Arabian project environment.

About the Company

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm delivering planning, design, engineering, environmental, program management, and construction management services. Its teams support public- and private-sector clients in developing sustainable and resilient solutions across buildings, transportation, water, energy, and environmental projects.