Senior Research Director

Confidential; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a Senior Research Director in Chicago to lead and grow a market research practice. You will oversee client relationships, research execution, and the development of a diverse team of researchers, driving innovative programs and high-quality deliverables.

You will apply a broad mix of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, mentor junior staff, and communicate findings to clients with clarity. A university degree and 7–10 years of hands-on experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant field.
• 7–10 years of hands-on research experience, preferably in a supplier-side organization.
• Experience in Consumer-Packaged Goods, Technology, Media/Entertainment, Financial Services, Health, or Retail.
• Proficiency with quantitative and qualitative methods; ability to apply to client objectives.
• Experience managing end-to-end market research projects; design questionnaires; develop analysis and reporting.
• Strong communication and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations including client relationship management, research execution, and team leadership.
• Design and manage diverse research programs and projects with focus on excellence and innovation.
• Oversee operations, project fulfillment, analysis, and reporting.
• Develop and manage large strategic client relationships.
• Coach junior colleagues and contribute to company strategy and reputation.

Skills

Strategic research

Quantitative methods

Qualitative methods

Questionnaire design

Data visualization

Client management

Mentoring

Excel

PowerPoint

Storytelling

Education

University degree

Tools

Market research software

Job description

As a Senior Research Director, you will:

• Be deeply engaged in all facets of daily business operation including:
• client relationship management,
• research execution & commitment fulfillment, and
• Be responsible for helping to build, develop and lead a team of diverse market researchers
• Design, implement & manage a wide array of research programs & projects with a keen eye toward excellence and innovation, including:
• operations process & project fulfillment,
• analysis & creative development of impactful deliverables.
• Bring an exceptional drive and entrepreneurial mindset, while also being highly organized related to planning and implementing both strategic and tactical aspects of the business.
• Actively develop and manage large strategic client relationships.
• Be an enduring, positive and collaborative leader who coaches and develops junior colleagues and genuinely cares about all facets of the company, our strategy and reputation in the market.

Our next Senior Research Director will bring:

• A strategic market researcher mindset; you are well-versed in a broad array of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and can readily apply these toward answering client business & research objectives.
• Exceptional hands-on research expertise, including questionnaire design, sample frame development, field management, analysis planning, data visualization and creative report writing.
• Incredible attention to detail and be highly organized, with an ability to manage multiple projects at once and consistently shifting priorities and timelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the confidence to engage clients in methodological discussions and results read-outs.
• Passion to mentor junior colleagues and train the next generation of research practitioners.
• Skill with technology and social media, as well as online market research methodologies and technology platforms.
• An innate ability to find the story in the numbers, and to sift through qualitative & qualitative data to extract meaningful nuggets and insights.
• Creative data visualization and reporting skills - someone who develops reports that always impress colleagues and clients.
• A passion for unlocking the power of consumer insights to help drive agile decision making.

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have:

• A University or College degree
• 7 - 10 years of relevant, hands-on work experience, preferably with a supplier side organization.
• Background in Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG), Technology, Media/ Entertainment, Financial Services, Health or Retail industries
• Exposure to sophisticated market research practices including a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Experience managing end-to-end market research projects, including:
• Designing and developing questionnaires and discussion guides,
• Identifying and writing up analytical findings,
• Visualizing and reporting quantitative and qualitative data,
• Report writing and taking deliverables to the next level,
• Working in marketing research software packages.
• A strong track record of mentoring & managing junior researchers
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, Excel and PowerPoint, in particular, as well as a quick learner of new technologies/software.
• Analytical/ Logic and Reasoning orientation.
• Strong numeric and problem-solving orientation.
• Strong client service orientation.

We welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Support is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Finally, we know from time-to-time emergencies happen and you may need to reschedule an interview - we understand and encourage you to be in communication without worrying about losing the opportunity or your credibility.

Please note, you must be eligible to work in the US to be considered for this role.