Research Manager

Metrical Talent; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer matching

Health, life, and disability insurance

Job summary

Metrical Talent is seeking a senior, client-facing research lead in the US. You will own the full research lifecycle—from experimental design to presenting strategic recommendations to global brands.

The role requires guiding a team of analysts and collaborating with senior marketing teams. Hybrid work, with three days per week in New York, offers a dynamic intersection of research, data science, and creative strategy.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in analytically driven marketing research or client services with direct client responsibility.
• Strong statistical fluency and ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Experience managing or mentoring junior analysts.

Responsibilities

• Lead quantitative and qualitative research projects from brief to delivery, including experiment design and analysis.
• Apply randomized controlled trial methods to isolate incremental impact of creative.
• Assess data quality to ensure reliable findings.
• Translate complex data into clear narratives for senior stakeholders.
• Deliver optimization recommendations to improve creative and media outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and identify growth opportunities.
• Manage and mentor analysts, ensuring quality across outputs.
• Support new business pitches and thought leadership.
• Use AI tools judiciously, balancing value with risk.

Skills

Statistical fluency

Data quality instincts

Client-facing

Stakeholder communication

Mentoring

Marketing terminology

Education

Degree in quantitative/social science

Tools

R

Python

SQL

Job description

We're recruiting on behalf of a fast-growing AI-driven creative effectiveness company trusted by some of the world's leading brands, media agencies, and publishers. Their methodology combines randomised controlled trials with real-world ad environments to give clients a clear, evidence-based view of creative performance before campaigns go live. They test over 1,000 ads quarterly across 30+ markets, working with global names across media, fashion, sport, and FMCG. This is a rare opportunity to join a tight-knit, high-calibre team at the intersection of research, data science, and creative strategy.

The Role

This is a senior client-facing research role for someone who is equally comfortable interrogating a dataset and presenting findings to a senior marketing team. You'll own the full research lifecycle - from designing randomised controlled trials and managing data quality through to delivering strategic recommendations that shape how global brands invest in their creative and media. Your insights will directly inform creative development, media planning, and campaign optimisation. You'll manage a team of analysts and report to the NA Director of Client Services. Hybrid, three days per week in New York.

What You'll Do

• Lead quantitative and qualitative research projects from brief to delivery, including experiment design, survey commissioning, statistical analysis, and insight generation
• Apply randomised controlled trial methodology and hypothesis testing to isolate the incremental impact of advertising creative
• Assess and manage data quality to ensure findings are reliable and defensible under scrutiny
• Translate complex data into clear, compelling narratives for senior client stakeholders
• Deliver optimisation recommendations that go beyond the numbers - telling clients not just how creative performed, but how to make it better
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, identifying opportunities to expand partnerships
• Manage and mentor a team of analysts, maintaining quality across all outputs
• Contribute to new business pitches and thought leadership
• Use AI tools critically and appropriately - knowing when they add value and when they introduce risk

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years in an analytically driven marketing research or client services role with direct client responsibility
• Genuine statistical fluency - you understand what the numbers mean, not just how to produce them
• Strong data quality instincts - you know how to spot problems in a dataset before they become problems in a client presentation
• Confident, clear communicator who can distil complex findings into actionable recommendations
• Fluency in brand, digital marketing, and campaign measurement terminology
• Experience managing or mentoring junior team members
• Degree in an applied quantitative, social science, or related field

You’ll Stand Out If You Have

• Experience with brand lift, creative pretesting, or creative research methodologies such as Survey Based analytics
• Familiarity with social analytics tools or NLP
• Proficiency in R, Python, SQL, or similar
• A genuine interest in AI and its evolving role in marketing research
• Experience working across global markets and multicultural audiences

Compensation

Competitive base of $126,500 and annual bonus up to 20%

401(k) with employer matching up to 6%

Health, life, and disability insurance

Candidates must have the right to work in the US, unfortunately the company is unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time