Research Director

Carrot Recruitment; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental & vision

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Parental leave

401(k)

ESPP

Paid vacation

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Carrot Recruitment partners with an established healthcare market research consultancy in the US to recruit an experienced Qualitative Associate Director or Director. The role emphasizes design, delivery and strategic impact within pharmaceutical and biotech projects, with direct client leadership and mentorship responsibilities.

You will lead multiple qualitative studies, moderate sessions, translate findings into actionable recommendations, and contribute to proposals and business development

Qualifications

• Strong qualitative research expertise and excellent moderation skills.
• Experience driving client relationships and proposals in healthcare.
• Ability to mentor junior researchers and develop others.

Responsibilities

• Design, management and delivery of qualitative healthcare research projects.
• Moderate interviews and focus groups with healthcare stakeholders.
• Translate findings into clear, strategic insights for clients.
• Contribute to proposals and new business development.
• Coach and mentor colleagues and support team growth.

Skills

Qualitative research

Moderation

Client relationship management

Presentation skills

Business development

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Job description

An established healthcare market research consultancy is looking to add an experienced Qualitative Associate Director or Director to its US team.

Working exclusively within the pharmaceutical and biotech space, the business partners with clients across the product lifecycle, helping them understand human behaviour, uncover meaningful insights and translate research into strategies that support the development and launch of medicines.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced healthcare qualitative researcher who enjoys being close to clients, wants to have a genuine strategic impact and is comfortable taking ownership rather than simply delivering research.

The role

Depending on experience and level, you’ll take responsibility for the design, management and delivery of custom qualitative research projects, working across multiple studies and therapy areas.

You’ll be involved in:

• Designing and delivering qualitative healthcare market research from initial brief through to final recommendations
• Moderating IDIs and focus groups across a range of healthcare audiences
• Working across research covering different stages of the pharmaceutical product lifecycle
• Turning qualitative findings into clear, commercially relevant insights and strategic recommendations
• Acting as a trusted partner to pharmaceutical and biotech clients
• Developing creative research approaches to answer complex business questions
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously within a fast-paced environment
• Producing high-quality reports and delivering engaging client presentations
• Supporting, coaching and mentoring other researchers
• Contributing to proposals, new business development and the growth of existing client relationships

At Director level, there will be greater emphasis on senior client relationships, business development, mentoring both junior and senior colleagues and contributing to the wider strategic direction of the business.

What we’re looking for

You’ll already have strong experience within pharmaceutical / healthcare market research, ideally gained within an agency or consultancy environment.

For Associate Director, we’re looking for candidates with a minimum of 5 years’ relevant pharmaceutical market research experience.

For Director, we’re looking for approximately 8–12+ years’ experience, with significant hands-on qualitative research experience within the pharmaceutical / healthcare sector.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Strong qualitative research expertise and excellent moderation skills
• Experience across areas such as positioning, message testing, concept testing, patient journey, segmentation and exploratory research
• Experience moderating a mix of HCPs, patients, payers, pharmacists and other healthcare stakeholders
• A strong understanding of pharmaceutical and biotech clients and their commercial challenges
• The ability to move beyond research findings and identify the wider strategic implications
• Confidence developing client relationships and contributing to proposals and new business
• An understanding of quantitative research processes and deliverables
• Strong communication, storytelling and presentation skills
• A collaborative approach with the ability to coach and develop others
• Curiosity, initiative and a genuine interest in developing new approaches to research

This is a business that wants people who are looking to build a career rather than simply do a job. There’s a real emphasis on curiosity, ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement, with people encouraged to challenge thinking, solve problems and continually look for ways to add more value.

You’ll be joining a team working exclusively within the pharmaceutical sector, supporting research that ultimately helps shape strategies and accelerate the development and launch of medicines.

The business is focused on delivering impact rather than simply data, giving senior researchers the opportunity to work consultatively with clients and influence important commercial decisions.

Salary & benefits

Associate Director: $90,000 – $110,000 base

Director: $120,000 – $150,000 base

Bonus: 10%

The wider benefits package includes:

• Medical and prescription drug coverage
• Dental and vision options
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Short and long-term disability benefits
• 10 weeks’ paid parental leave
• 401(k) plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 10 vacation days for new employees
• Employee assistance and wellbeing support

If you’re an experienced pharmaceutical market researcher looking for a role where you can combine hands-on qualitative research, strategic thinking, client leadership and commercial involvement, get in touch to find out more.