Director Qualitative Insights

material; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Material is seeking a Director, Qualitative Insights in Los Angeles to lead and deliver multiple research engagements across the technology sector. You will shape insights, craft actionable recommendations, and mentor junior to senior stakeholders while maintaining trusted client relationships.

You will partner with cross-functional teams to design methodologies, manage scope, and support organic account growth, with a focus on delivering impactful, strategic narratives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in market research, with a track record of managing multiple end-to-end projects.
• Experience in the Technology sector preferred.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior to senior-level client teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver multiple qualitative research engagements for tech clients.
• Craft insights and actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Mentor Associates and Sr. Associates and support career development.
• Manage client relationships and support account growth and planning.
• Design research methodologies and engagement scopes with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Qualitative research

Focus groups

Moderation

Client partnership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Director, Qualitative Insights

This is a hybrid role to be based near our office in Los Angeles

About Us

We drive intelligent growth for ambitious businesses and leading brands.

Customer understanding is more potent and drives greater value when insights go to work directly within marketing and experience priorities. To give our clients that advantage, we put an insights-driven operating system at the core of our design, go-to-market and digital experience solutions.

Material clients make smarter growth choices because they can see clearly how and when to take the shots that count. Together, we connect consumer intelligence with customer demand generation to build lasting, profitable relationships.

About the Director, Qualitative Insights role

The Director, Insights is someone who dreams big, values collaboration and is committed to turning customer challenges into growth opportunities

We are seeking someone who has experience working with clients in the Technology Industry. You will be responsible for leading and the successful delivery of multiple research and insights engagements at a time. You will act as a thought partner to our junior to senior-level clients, crafting insights and developing actionable and provocative recommendations, while maintaining trusted relationships.

Unlocking organic growth through ongoing relationships and repeat clients. Liaising with internal Client Partners to support account planning and growth.

As the Director, Qualitative Insights you will

Specific research design and delivery responsibilities include - but are not limited to - methodology recommendations and engagement design, discussion + activity guide development, online + face to face moderation, mentoring and developing others, managing internal project members, notetaking, financial project management, developing nearly client ready reports/deliverables (including slides video deliverables, microsites), overall account/project management and managing scope, critical thinking for roadblock escalation to effectively complete work and offers guidance to others to problem solve these challenges.

Collaboration with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Qual Insight Ops, Insight Design, Behavioral Sciences, Quant practice) in support of executing the highest quality work.

Insights reporting responsibilities include translating data into learnings, integrated visual stories and comprehensive narratives that establish impactful and strategic recommendations. This process may or may not include Senior Team/Leader oversight.

Team & client management responsibilities include establishing, supporting, and building thriving relationships with junior- to senior-level Insights, Marketing and other cross-functional client Stakeholders. Mentoring, coaching, and delegating appropriate work to Associates and Sr. Associates, Associate Directors, sharing responsibility for their growth, development and training roadmaps. You will be mentored by senior leadership and receive on-the-job formal training through Material.

Have a Technology Industry focus, partnering closely with Senior Leaders within the sector to design, scope and execute qualitative research

About you

We are open to alternative modes of education and experience that qualify candidates for the role.

Many successful candidates have Bachelor's degrees and/or studies in a social science, communications, or business related field and we welcome different backgrounds of study. Master's degrees are a plus.

Minimum of 7 years of experience in market research, ideally with some experience in the Technology Sector, with a proven track record of managing multiple end-to-end research projects and developing client relationships.

Prior experience managing and leading others as a people manager is a plus.

Expert of qualitative methodologies, including focus groups, ethnographies, in-depth interviews (IDIs), online communities, etc. and broad experience across different types of objectives (JTBD/Needs, Segment Illumination, Audience Understanding, Journey Mapping, Product Innovation, Positioning, etc.) Understanding of quantitative research is a plus. Ability to integrate and seamlessly incorporate Quantitative methods, research and insights.

Skills required for success include critical thinking, strategic thinking, project management and problem identification oriented around solutions and point-of-view. Ability to learn and adapt to cutting edge technologies to drive efficiency. Leadership presence through influence and peer relationships. Issue de-escalation and solutioning when needed.

Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex insights to diverse audiences including Senior level stakeholders.

Positively influences organic client account growth and revenue.

Inspires and motivates others. Act as a change leader who brings others along.

Proficiency in market research software and tools and Microsoft/Google Suites.

Proven ability to