Qualitative Research Manager

MarketOnce; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible vacation policy

401k with company contribution

Office in Boston/Denve r with commuter

Job summary

MarketOnce is seeking a seasoned qualitative research manager to design qualitative studies, develop discussion guides, moderate interviews and focus groups, analyze transcripts and video, and report results with an emphasis on storytelling.

You will collaborate with senior leaders across Custom Research and Marketing Sciences, translating client objectives into effective research designs and leading vendor relationships to deliver compelling insights onsite at our Boston or Denver offices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of qualitative research experience with a successful project track record.
• Portfolio of discussion guides, videos and reports ( confidentiality optional ).
• Ability to translate business objectives into creative qualitative designs.
• Mastery of moderation with projective techniques and visual exercises.
• Strong client handling, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Proficient in organizing multiple projects in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Design qualitative studies across diverse industries.
• Develop discussion guides and moderating in‑depth interviews and focus groups.
• Analyze and synthesize transcripts and video to extract insights.
• Report findings with a storytelling focus in PPT and memos.
• Manage vendors, facilities, and participant recruitment against specs.
• Lead client debriefs and present insights to stakeholders.
• Develop client webinars and contribute to thought leadership.

Skills

Qualitative research

Moderation mastery

Storytelling

PowerPoint proficiency

Client communication

Project management

Tools

Transcription tools

Video analysis tools

Qualitative analysis software

Job description

At MarketOnce, we empower businesses with the insights and strategies they need to excel in today's dynamic market. With a strong foundation in market research, we offer innovative solutions in research, software, consulting, advertising, and marketing to corporate, private equity firms, and other organizations seeking to achieve their goals.

Our team is distinguished by their client‑centric approach—treating each client’s business with the dedication and care as if it were their own. This commitment enables us to deliver personalized service and achieve the highest standards of success and innovation in everything we do. Together, our family of companies, including MarketOnce, ROI Rocket, and eAccountable, work towards delivering unparalleled solutions. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, our global team collaborates from locations across the US and Europe.

We value curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and expertise, continuously striving to push boundaries and exceed our clients’ expectations. Join us to be part of a culture that drives meaningful results.

We’re seeking a seasoned qualitative research manager to design qualitative studies, develop discussion guides, moderate, analyze and synthesize transcripts and video, and report results with an emphasis on storytelling. A thorough understanding of qualitative research techniques, tools, processes, and procedures is essential. You must have strong interpersonal and organizational skills and be detail‑oriented, flexible and above all, collaborative.

The range of duties includes but is not limited to designing qualitative studies of varying complexity, i.e., studies ranging from a handful of in-depth interviews to multi‑market, multi‑method programs; developing discussion guides; moderating in‑depth interviews and focus groups, in‑person and online; analyzing and synthesizing transcripts and video; and reporting findings with a focus on impactful storytelling. Above all, the person in this position must be exceptional at translating clients’ business objectives into creative and effective qualitative research designs — and, when moderating, at getting beyond simple, direct questioning through the use of projective techniques, visual exercises and similar approaches to capture the underlying dynamics that shape attitudes and behavior.

In this role, you will be working closely with the Sr. Director of Custom Research, various Research Directors and Managers, and the Director of Marketing Sciences as well as various Data Analysts and Publishing department personnel

What You’ll Do:

• Design qualitative research studies for clients across a wide variety of industries
• Note: these projects will vary not only by industry, but also by general approach (IDIs, in‑person and online focus groups, online communities/bulletin boards, ethnographies, shop‑alongs, etc.) and project type (exploratory/discovery, concept and message testing, journey mapping, positioning, persona development, etc.)
• Translate client business objectives into creative, effective qualitative research designs
• Develop discussion guides that move beyond direct questioning — incorporating projective techniques, visual and enabling exercises, and other approaches to surface underlying motivations and dynamics
• Moderate in‑depth interviews and focus groups, in person and over the internet, with skill, warmth and adaptability
• Analyze and synthesize transcripts and video to identify the themes, tensions and insights that matter most to the business question
• Report qualitative findings in PPT and other formats (memos, white papers, video reels, etc.) with an emphasis on storytelling
• Select and manage qualitative vendors and facilities, and oversee recruiting against target specifications
• Lead discussions and debriefings with clients in person or over the internet
• Develop and present webinars for clients/prospects

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years of relevant experience in qualitative research with a demonstrable track record of high performance
• A portfolio of past work you can share — including discussion guides, video clips and reports (redacted as necessary to preserve client confidentiality)
• A demonstrated ability to translate business objectives into creative and effective qualitative research designs
• Mastery of moderation, including projective techniques, visual and enabling exercises, and other methods for getting beyond surface responses to capture underlying dynamics
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, manage, and effectively deliver on multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision in a fast‑paced environment
• A dynamic personality with excellent client‑handling and presentation skills
• Strong storytelling and reporting skills, with fluency in PowerPoint as well as a sense of how best to leverage AI
• Experience with qualitative analysis and transcription/video tools a plus
• Superior customer focus, and willingness to work evenings and weekends if needed to support our clients
• A can‑do, positive and collaborative attitude, with a willingness to support the development of team members across the organization

What We Offer:

• Flexible vacation policy – take the time you need to recharge
• 401k with company contribution
• Beautiful downtown Denver or Back Bay office with company‑paid commuter benefits (parking or MBTA/RTD EcoPass)

What to Expect:

• 1st Round: 30-45 minute interview with the Recruiter
• 2nd Round: 60‑minute interview with the Hiring Manager
• 3rd Round: 2 hours of onsite interviews with the Hiring Team

Please note that we are fully onsite work environment, and require daily presence at our LoDo/Union Station or Back Bay (Boston) office. We are not considering remote, hybrid, or out-of-area candidates, and do not work with outside recruiting agencies.

MarketOnce will accept applications for this role on an ongoing basis.

MarketOnce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are committed to hiring individuals based on their skills and qualifications, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds.