Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Growth Strategy

Zelis; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Zelis is seeking a Marketing Research Manager to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of research initiatives guiding strategic marketing decisions. You will manage analysts across complex projects, partner with senior leadership, and ensure insights translate into action across the organization.

You will develop annual plans, oversee surveys, translate results into insights, present to executives, manage budgets, and implement new research technologies to advance capabilities.

Qualifications

• Typically has Bachelors +8 yrs or Masters +6 yrs relevant experience.
• Proficiency with AI tools and developing intelligent prompts/agents.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of professionals to deliver outstanding service.
• Develop annual research plans aligned with marketing and business strategies.
• Prioritize projects based on impact and resource availability.
• Lead large-scale research initiatives with methodological rigor and timely delivery.
• Oversee survey design, sampling, data collection, and analysis.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for senior stakeholders.
• Deliver presentations and reports to influence strategic decisions.
• Manage research budgets and contracts with external vendors.
• Ensure cost efficiency and quality in outsourced projects.
• Implement best practices and new technologies to enhance research capabilities.
• Drive continuous improvement in workflows and data quality.
• Provide training and development opportunities for the team.

Skills

AI tools

Team management

Communication

Multitasking

Strategy translation

Research methodologies

Analytics tools

Education

Bachelor's degree +8 years

Master's degree +6 years

Tools

SPSS

R

Python

Tableau

Job description

At Zelis, we Get Stuff Done. So, let’s get to it!

A Little About Us

Zelis is modernizing the healthcare financial experience across payers, providers, and healthcare consumers. We serve more than 750 payers, including the top five national health plans, regional health plans, TPAs and millions of healthcare providers and consumers across our platform of solutions. Zelis sees across the system to identify, optimize, and solve problems holistically with technology built by healthcare experts – driving real, measurable results for clients.

At Zelis, AI is woven into the fabric of how we work. Every associate is expected - and empowered - to partner with AI to challenge the status quo, accelerate innovation, and amplify their impact. This is a place for builders with a growth mindset who act with agility, embrace change, and use modern technology to shape smarter solutions, exceptional experiences, and the future of our industry for our clients, customers, and our culture.

A Little About You

You bring a unique blend of personality and professional expertise to your work, inspiring others with your passion and dedication. Your career is a testament to your diverse experiences, community involvement, and the valuable lessons you've learned along the way. You are more than just your resume; you are a reflection of your achievements, the knowledge you've gained, and the personal interests that shape who you are.

Position Overview

The Marketing Research Manager leads the planning, execution, and delivery of research initiatives that inform strategic marketing decisions. This role manages a team of analysts and specialists, oversees complex projects, and ensures insights are actionable and aligned with business objectives. The Manager acts as a key partner to cross-functional teams and senior leadership, driving data-driven decision-making across the organization.

What You’ll Do

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of professionals to deliver outstanding service and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Develop annual research plans aligned with marketing and business strategies.
• Prioritize projects based on impact and resource availability.
• Lead large-scale research initiatives, ensuring methodological rigor and timely delivery.
• Oversee survey design, sampling, data collection, and analysis processes.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for senior stakeholders.
• Deliver presentations and reports that influence strategic decisions.
• Manage research budgets and negotiate contracts with external vendors.
• Ensure cost efficiency and quality in outsourced research projects.
• Implement best practices and new technologies to enhance research capabilities.
• Drive continuous improvement in workflows and data quality.
• Provide training, support, and development opportunities to team members to ensure high performance and engagement.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide feedback, and identify opportunities for professional development.

What You’ll Bring To Zelis

• Typically has Bachelors +8 yrs or Masters +6 yrs relevant experience. Attends company training and regional training in area of expertise. Presents own work to members of department and external consultants and external professional conferences, Collaborates externally
• Requires proficiency using AI tools skillfully with an understanding of how to develop/create intelligent prompts and/or agents.
• Proven experience in managing teams.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results.
• Ability to translate strategy into execution.
• Expertise in research methodologies and advanced analytics tools (SPSS, R, Python, Tableau).
• Strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Please note at this time we are unable to proceed with candidates who require visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Location and Workplace Flexibility

Zelis is headquartered in the U.S., with multiple locations across the country and in Hyderabad, India. Check out our locations to learn more about our offices. All employee work locations are based on the needs of the position and are determined by the Leadership team. In-office work and activities vary based on work and team objectives in accordance with Company policies.

While location expectations vary by role, candidates within approximately 50 miles of a U.S. office are generally preferred to support collaboration when needed. Our hybrid approach is flexible, and in-office presence is guided by team and business needs rather than a fixed weekly schedule.

Base Salary Range

$115,000.00 - $145,350.00

At Zelis we are committed to providing fair and equitable compensation packages. The base salary range allows us to make an offer that considers multiple individualized factors, including experience, education, qualifications, as well as job‑related and industry‑related knowledge and skills, etc. Base pay is just one part of our Total Rewards package, which may also include discretionary bonus plans, commissions, or other incentives depending on the role.

Zelis’ full-time associates are eligible for a highly competitive benefits package as well, which demonstrates our commitment to our employees’ health, well-being, and financial protection. The US-based benefits include a 401k plan with employer match, flexible paid time off, holidays, parental leaves, life and disability insurance, and health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Zelis is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications for the role. We believe in the value of diverse perspectives and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive workplace for all.

Accessibility Support

We are dedicated to ensuring our application process is accessible to all candidates. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require a reasonable accommodation with any part of the application and/or interview process, please email [e-mail].

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, duties, and skills from time to time.