Associate Director

GapExec; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GapExec seeks an Associate Director for our New York office in Dumbo, with the option to work remotely. You will lead large qualitative research projects, shape brand strategy, and mentor junior researchers while partnering with major brands in CPG, tech, and financial services.

The ideal candidate brings 3–6 years of consumer insights experience, excellent storytelling, and a proven track record of winning proposals, moderation, and client leadership.

Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in consumer insights, qualitative research, brand strategy consulting.
• Brand, communications and new product development research experience.
• A leader with proven smart thinking and results with major brands in CPG, Tech/Digital, Financial Services.
• Proven ability in all aspects of the research process including proposals, moderation, analysis, and client presentations.
• Interviewing/ethnography experience with innovative methods preferred.
• Strong project management and client communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a skilled research practitioner capable of designing, executing and delivering inspiring research.
• Lead multiple projects in qualitative insights, brand and innovation consulting, and cultural analysis.
• Build and grow client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor to senior clients.
• Guide analysis, insights and recommendations to ensure optimal product delivery.
• Manage project teams and client relationships to handle dynamic workloads and pace.
• Mentor junior team members and foster collaborative teamwork.

Skills

Qualitative research

Brand strategy

Client management

Project leadership

Moderation

Ethnography

Storytelling

Entrepreneurial spirit

Job description

Our Client are Human Strategy Partners to some of the world's biggest brands, making sense of real life and putting it at the heart of their decision-making. We help businesses innovate, communicate and grow across our Centers of Excellence - Brand Strategy, Brand Communication, Cultural Insight, Innovation, and Customer Experience - by looking at things from new angles and in new ways. We call this Unconventional Thinking. We take this approach as we feel the conventional approach to research is no longer enough. The world is more complex than ever, and the need for fresh insight and transformational thinking is greater than ever. We believe that only by looking at things from different angles, talking to different people, using different approaches and different frameworks of thinking, will you get fresh insights and breakthrough thinking to give clients the confidence and power to move forward.

We are a diverse team of brand consultants, entrepreneurs, cultural anthropologists and social psychologists with a passion for helping clients transform their businesses. We want the stories we tell about the work we do to be as clear, impactful, and insightful as the work itself. Was founded in 2000 and has 70+ employees with offices in London and New York.

The Role in a Nutshell

The New York office is at an exciting time in our period of growth. With clients such as Google, Twitter, ABI, Unilever, Pernod Ricard, Tommy Hilfiger and many others we are set up now to take the business to a new level. We are looking for an Associate Director for our New York office in DUMBO to help us grow. The position can also be remote. The ideal person would have a proven track record in qualitative research and moderating experience and strong analytical and consulting skills with major brands in CPG and Tech/Digital. Associate Directors run our largest projects and are expected to lead new clients and projects on a consistent basis. Associate Directors are responsible for interpreting client needs and delivering strategies that meet client expectations and result in repeat client engagements. You will be expected to roll up your sleeves to create and execute a range of consumer research and brand strategy projects. Travel can be up to 30-40% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a highly skilled research practitioner and insights consultant capable of designing, executing and delivering inspiring research
• Lead multiple projects working in the areas of qualitative insights, brand and innovation consulting and cultural analysis
• Create, build and grow client relationships and maintain a position as a trusted advisor and consultant with senior clients
• Guide analysis, insights and client recommendations as needed to ensure optimal product delivery
• Manage project teams and client relationships effectively to deliver with the dynamic workload and fast pace of a client services business
• Instill a spirit of mutual inspiration on the team and mentor junior team members

Desired Skills & Experience

• 3-6 years of experience in consumer insights, qualitative research, brand strategy consulting
• Brand, communications and new product development research experience
• A leader with proven smart thinking and results working with major brands in CPG, Tech/Digital, Financial Services
• Proven ability in all aspects of the research process (i.e., delivering winning proposals, outstanding moderation, strong and strategic analysis skills, clear and engaging client presentations)
• Experienced and passionate interviewer and ethnographer. Experience with more innovative methodologies and approaches strongly preferred
• Strong project management and client communication skills
• Experience developing existing client relationships and bringing in new client relationships
• Strong storytelling skills
• Entrepreneurial spirit