Lead Associate, Market Research: Distribution Insights (Remote)

Protective; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off & parental leave

401(k) with Company matching

Job summary

Protective seeks a Lead Associate, Market Research to steer a portfolio of research projects that shape product design and marketing concepts. You will guide methodology, coordinate with Product, Sales, and Operations, and deliver actionable insights that drive competitive advantage.

The role emphasizes leadership of diverse teams, rigorous study design, and delivering high-quality analytics within regulatory and budget constraints in a fast-moving financial services environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in market research and/or market analytics.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degrees, executive education, and licenses are preferred.
• Proven ability to lead team-based research projects, managing scope, schedule and budget.
• Strong ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations and to collaborate across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead market research development and execution, guiding team and stakeholders on study design and project management.
• Oversee distribution trends and assess impact of channels, competitors, and technologies on Protective.
• Manage secondary research, data access, and vendor relationships to support initiatives.
• Develop and align learning agenda with stakeholders across Product, Sales, and Operations.
• Drive initiatives aligned with Corporate values: Do the Right Thing, Serve People, Build Trust, Aspire for Better.

Skills

Market research

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Qual/Quant methods

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it.

We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.

The Lead Associate, Market Research directs a variety of market evaluation and research projects. You will oversee projects that help create a competitive advantage for the Protective brand, and deliver consumer & financial professional insights, product design implications, qualified marketing concepts and recommendations for improvements. You are responsible for developing and implementing research strategies and methodologies, identifying research objectives, and analyzing the research findings to help the business make informed decisions.

Responsibilities:

• Primary Market Research Development and Execution – Leads the market research process, including providing guidance to team members and stakeholders on various research methodologies, research study design (qualitative and quantitative) and project management techniques that produce high-quality deliverables and support our ability to use research to have business impact. Directs research execution, analysis and presentation of key insights and recommendations to stakeholders. Manages a system to track participant compensation to ensure the company stays within legal and distributor guidelines.
• Distribution Trends – Researches how Protective’s products are delivered across channels and how these trends impact Protective. Assesses how competitive strategies and emerging technologies influence distribution. Develops methods for obtaining and maintaining data necessary for research and determine the appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques for analysis. Performs deep analysis of internal data sources to inform and influence business decisions. Analyzes indirect competition and evolving customer, technological, and regulatory trends.
• Secondary Research – Oversees the tracking, procuring, and synthesizing of secondary research to inform key business initiatives and address the learning needs of the business. Leads the relationship with existing vendors and identify new resources to assist with market research objectives. Ensures organized and efficient access to secondary data.
• Strategic Advisor – Develops relationships with key stakeholders including Product Development, Sales Distribution, New Business/Operations, and other teams. Develops learning agenda in collaboration with stakeholders and ensures alignment of learning agenda to broader strategic priorities. Listens to stakeholders, understands their research needs, and drives value for the business through research acumen.
• Vendor Management – Manages current market research supplier relationships. Investigates and onboards new suppliers as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Strives to develop and drive initiatives that align with key corporate values:
• Do the Right Thing
• Serve People
• Build Trust
• Aspire for Better

Qualifications:

• 10+ years’ experience in market research and/or market analytics. Financial services industry experience highly considered.
• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant advanced degrees, executive education, and industry designations or licenses are preferred.
• Proven ability to lead team-based research projects, including managing scope, schedule and budget.
• Facility with a mix of research methodologies. Demonstrated ability to identify key insights by connecting disparate information sources and to translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to collaborate across business functions to gain trust and influence outcomes. Strong track record working with stakeholders to communicate research methods and findings.
• Strong understanding of industry products, competitors, distribution channels, and marketplace dynamics.
• Results-focused, high degree of accountability.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to communicate across all levels of the organization and be comfortable providing training and presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Highly motivated, extremely organized, and able to independently manage multiple projects.

Employee Benefits:

• In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program.
• Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day).
• Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching.
• All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit plans.

Accommodations for Applicants with a Disability:

If you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process.

Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation. General employment questions should not be sent through this process.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce.

Additional Information:

Protective’s targeted salary range for this position is $99,500 to $140,000. Actual salaries may vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, job location, skills, and experience. The range listed is just one component of Protective’s total compensation package for employees.

This position also offers additional incentive opportunities through an annual incentive based on individual and Company performance.

Artificial Intelligence Disclaimer:

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.