Freelance Insights Director: Lead Research and Strategy

1000heads Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 124,000 - 220,000; Part time

Job summary

1000heads in Chicago is seeking a Freelance Insights Director who will bridge hands-on analysis with strategic leadership. You’ll guide project teams, shape research methodologies, elevate the quality of insights, and help steer the broader Insights group.

The role demands turning data into stories that influence strategy and creative thinking, mentoring Senior Managers, and contributing to new business through POVs and impactful pitches. This is a temporary, high-visibility engagement.

Qualifications

• 7-9 years of experience in insights, analytics, research, or digital measurement, ideally within an agency environment.
• Advanced expertise in social listening tools, social/digital analytics platforms, and audience research tools (e.g., GWI).
• Proven experience developing research methodologies, measurement frameworks, and cross-channel performance reporting.
• Strong analytical skills paired with the ability to translate data into stories that influence strategy and creative thinking.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and client relationship skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Familiarity with SQL, Python, or R is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of research plans, measurement methodologies, and cross-channel analysis frameworks, ensuring accuracy and consistency across projects.
• Create and implement measurement frameworks that guide KPI selection, target setting, and performance evaluation.
• Synthesize multiple data sources - social listening, platform analytics, audience tools - into clear, actionable narratives that inform strategy and inspire creative thinking.
• Partner with account leads and serve as a senior client-facing contact to refine briefs, shape insight solutions, and present findings with clarity and strategic impact.
• Oversee the timely delivery of high-quality reports, briefs, presentations, and research outputs, ensuring consistency in data use, tools, and reporting standards across the team.
• Support new business by developing insight-driven POVs, strategic contributions, and pitch materials.
• Leverage AI-driven analytics and generative tools to enhance insight discovery, trend identification, and storytelling.
• Mentor and guide Senior Managers and Analysts, providing feedback that strengthens analytical rigor and storytelling quality.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Research design

Measurement frameworks

Data storytelling

Client management

AI analytics

Mentoring

Tools

SQL

Python

R

Job description

1000heads in Chicago is seeking a Freelance Insights Director who will bridge hands-on analysis with strategic leadership. You’ll guide project teams, shape research methodologies, elevate the quality of insights, and help steer the broader Insights group.

The role demands turning data into stories that influence strategy and creative thinking, mentoring Senior Managers, and contributing to new business through POVs and impactful pitches. This is a temporary, high-visibility engagement.