Manager, Global Creative Strategy & Research

Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc; Culver City (CA); On-site; USD 92,879 - 120,743; Full time

Job summary

Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. is seeking a seasoned market research leader to drive global research initiatives across theatrical campaigns from planning to insights execution.

You will translate quantitative and qualitative data into actionable strategies, mentor junior analysts, and oversee cross‑functional projects with external vendors. You will influence marketing decisions, present to senior leadership, and help advance research methodologies and processes across the department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with approximately 5+ years of relevant experience in market research, consumer insights, strategy, or entertainment research.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end quantitative and qualitative research programs across multiple high-profile global theatrical releases.
• Partner with Vice Presidents and Co-Heads on Global Creative Strategy and Research teams to shape research strategy and marketing decisions.
• Provide strategic recommendations by synthesizing survey results, testing, tracking, exits, consumer trends, social insights, and analytics into title strategies.
• Design research methodologies, questionnaires, briefs, and reporting frameworks with high analytical rigor and data quality.
• Coordinate localization of creative materials for research stimuli as needed.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Project management

Mentoring

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Survey platforms

Tableau

SPSS

Job description

Position Summary

Lead and support high-impact global research initiatives that inform production, creative and marketing strategy across the theatrical lifecycle. Serve as a strategic thought partner to senior research leadership by translating quantitative and qualitative insights into actionable recommendations. Manage complex cross‑functional projects, oversee external research vendors, influence marketing decisions across global stakeholders, and mentor junior team members. Serve as title lead or support on select high‑profile film campaigns while driving continuous improvement of research methodologies and team processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end quantitative and qualitative research programs across multiple high‑profile global theatrical releases, serving as the primary research lead or support on assigned titles.
• Partner with Vice Presidents and Co‑Heads on the Global Creative Strategy and Research teams to shape research strategy and marketing decisions.
• Provide strategic recommendations by synthesizing survey results, creative testing, domestic and international tracking, exits, consumer trends, social insights, and analytics into cohesive title strategies.
• Design research methodologies, questionnaires, discussion guides, vendor briefs, and reporting frameworks while ensuring high analytical rigor and data quality.
• Coordinate localization of creative materials for research stimulus as needed.
• Present findings and strategic recommendations to senior marketing leadership and global stakeholders, influencing campaign direction and investment decisions.
• Manage relationships with external research vendors, ensuring quality, timelines, budgets, and continuous process improvement.
• Identify emerging audience, consumer, and marketplace trends and proactively recommend new research approaches and innovation opportunities.
• Oversee weekly global tracking, box office forecasting inputs, custom studies, and executive reporting.
• Attend and communicate findings from focus groups as needed.
• Occasional domestic and/or international travel may be required.
• Develop scalable reporting templates, best practices, and knowledge‑sharing resources for the department.
• Coach and mentor junior analysts and coordinate work with the Administrative Assistant, providing day‑to‑day guidance and supporting professional development.
• Lead or contribute to department‑wide strategic initiatives and special projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required and approximately 5+ years of relevant experience in market research, consumer insights, strategy, or entertainment research.
• Deep expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including advertising testing, brand positioning, audience segmentation, tracking, and focus groups.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, high‑visibility projects and influence cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Excellent strategic thinking with the ability to translate research into actionable business recommendations.
• Strong presentation and executive communication skills with experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Experience managing research vendors and project budgets.
• Experience leveraging AI‑enabled tools and emerging technologies to enhance research, synthesize insights, improve efficiency, and support data‑driven decision‑making.
• Advanced analytical capabilities; proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, survey platforms, and Tableau.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, organizational, and project management skills.
• Preferred: Advanced degree.
• Preferred: Proficiency with statistical tools such as SPSS.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary for this position is $92,879 - $120,743. This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law. Sony Pictures does not allow audio recording, video recording or use of AI note‑taking tools during interviews. Please be aware these tools may be enabled as a default and can be difficult to disable once the interview has started, so we recommend you check your device and disable these tools prior to the start of your interview. If recording or the use of the tools occurs during the interview and cannot be promptly turned off or disabled, the interviewer may end the interview. To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at [e-mail].