Senior Research Manager, Customer Success

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

• Full-time
• Compensation: USD 69,800 - USD 95,000 - yearly

Company Description

Location: US-Remote, must be based in US at time of application

R26_0022498

Who we are

Consumer Behavior & Insights is NIQ's custom research and consulting practice, helping some of the world's most recognizable brands better understand the people they serve.

Combining research, analytics, and strategic consulting, we uncover the motivations, perceptions, and behaviors that drive consumer decision-making. We help our clients move beyond understanding what happened to understanding why it happened, what it means, and what they should do next.

What we do

The insights we generate help shape the future of products, services, brands, and experiences delivered to millions of people around the globe every day. From innovation and brand strategy to customer experience and growth, our work helps organizations make smarter decisions and build stronger connections with consumers.

Joining Consumer Behavior & Insights means joining a team of curious problem-solvers, trusted advisors, and passionate researchers who are united by a common goal: We show the world what people want.

Job Description

As a Senior Research Manager, you will serve as the primary owner of complex custom research programs for some of the world's most recognized brands. You will be responsible for independently leading research engagements from study design through final delivery, ensuring projects are executed with excellence while generating actionable insights that drive meaningful business decisions.

This role requires a strong combination of research expertise, analytical rigor, client management, and strategic storytelling. Senior Research Managers serve as the day-to-day leaders of their projects, partnering closely with Directors and Analysts while maintaining ownership of project execution, insight development, client communication, and overall delivery.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized and intellectually curious researcher with experience managing complex quantitative research studies. Experience supporting technology clients, longitudinal research programs, and/or brand tracking studies is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership & Project Ownership

• 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

Research Design & Methodology

• 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

Analytics & Insight Development

• 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

Storytelling & Deliverables

• Develop polished, executive-ready presentations, reports, and strategic recommendations
• Create compelling data visualizations and clear narratives that simplify complex research findingsEnsure all deliverables are accurate, visually engaging, strategically relevant, and aligned with client needs
• Mentor junior team members on effective storytelling, analytical thinking, and research best practices
• Provide guidance and coaching to Associate Research Managers and Analysts
• Foster a collaborative environment focused on quality, continuous improvement, and professional development
• Share best practices and contribute to the evolution of research processes, analytical approaches, and team capabilities
• Support talent development by providing feedback, coaching, and mentorship to less experienced team members

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
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools and emerging technologies to improve productivity, accelerate insight development, streamline workflows, and enhance deliverable quality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting technology, consumer technology, telecommunications, software, hardware, gaming, or related industries
• Experience managing large-scale longitudinal research programs, continuous tracking studies, or brand health measurement programs
• Experience presenting research findings and recommendations to senior client stakeholders
• Experience mentoring junior researchers and contributing to team development

Additional Information

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $69,800.00-$95,000.00. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role might also be eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include a flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support, and more.

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact.To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion

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