Remote Senior Research & Insights Leader

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working environment

Volunteer time off

Job summary

NIQ's Consumer Behavior & Insights team is seeking a Senior Research Manager to own complex custom research programs for leading brands. You will lead engagements from design to delivery, ensuring actionable insights.

This role blends research expertise, analytics, and storytelling, with responsibilities across design, fielding, analysis, and client communications. Experience with longitudinal studies and brand tracking is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Market Research, Business, Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, Economics, or a related field.
• 5-8+ years of experience in market research, consumer insights, analytics, consulting, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex research projects from inception through delivery.
• Strong knowledge of quantitative research methodologies, survey design, data interpretation, and insight development.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, including the ability to develop executive-ready presentations and manage complex analytical outputs.
• Working proficiency in SPSS with the ability to manipulate datasets, perform analyses, and support ad hoc client requests.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with strong executive presence.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools and emerging technologies to improve productivity, accelerate insight development, streamline workflows, and enhance deliverable quality.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary owner and day-to-day leader of research engagements, managing all phases of project execution from kickoff through final delivery.
• Independently lead multiple concurrent projects while ensuring timelines, budgets, quality standards, and client expectations are consistently met.
• Proactively identify project risks, develop solutions, and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Coordinate effectively with internal teams, international hub partners, vendors, and operational stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution.
• Lead questionnaire development, survey design, sampling approaches, and overall study methodology.
• Provide strategic guidance on research design to ensure studies deliver actionable and decision-oriented insights.
• Manage and monitor fieldwork, data quality controls, and data processing activities.
• Oversee project specifications and ensure research outputs meet the highest standards of quality and rigor.
• Apply expertise across a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, with experience in longitudinal studies and brand tracking considered a strong advantage.
• Act as a consultant providing clients with expert opinions on study design and results interpretation and leveraging appropriate business acumen to guide them through implications.
• Lead the analysis and interpretation of complex data sets, identifying key trends, patterns, opportunities, and risks.
• Translate research findings into compelling business narratives that address client objectives and support decision making.
• Develop executive-level perspectives, strategic implications, and actionable recommendations.
• Support ad hoc analytical requests through direct data interrogation and manipulation.
• Demonstrate proficiency with SPSS and related analytical tools to efficiently execute data reviews, answer client questions, and conduct exploratory analyses.
• Leverage AI-powered tools and emerging technologies thoughtfully and responsibly to accelerate workflows, increase productivity, enhance analytical depth, and improve the quality of research outputs while maintaining analytical rigor.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for clients, building strong working relationships through consistent communication and outstanding service.
• Lead client meetings, project updates, working sessions, and results presentations with confidence and professionalism.
• Demonstrate exceptional executive presence and communication skills when presenting findings to senior stakeholders.
• Translate complex research findings into concise, clear, and actionable recommendations tailored to business audiences.
• Partner with Directors to increase the strategic value delivered to clients and identify opportunities to strengthen engagement.

Skills

Research leadership

Project management

Quantitative research

Qualitative research

SPSS

Client management

Storytelling

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SPSS

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

NIQ's Consumer Behavior & Insights team is seeking a Senior Research Manager to own complex custom research programs for leading brands. You will lead engagements from design to delivery, ensuring actionable insights.

This role blends research expertise, analytics, and storytelling, with responsibilities across design, fielding, analysis, and client communications. Experience with longitudinal studies and brand tracking is valued.