Vice President, Data & Intelligence

Zeno Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Be Kind to Your Mind

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Headspace subscription

Job summary

Zeno Group, a fierce independent global communications agency, seeks a senior researcher to lead the Data & Intelligence function. You will guide qualitative and quantitative programs, test messages, measure reputation and shape business decisions with strategic storytelling.

You will counsel senior clients, mentor talent and help grow Zeno's research capabilities while integrating primary research with analytics, AI-enabled insights, and broader intelligence workflows.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in primary research, insights, analytics, or related field in an agency or consultancy.
• Deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods and reporting.
• Experience leading research programs across segmentation, messaging, reputation and thought leadership.
• Proven ability to translate complex findings into clear strategic recommendations and narratives.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor translating business challenges into research strategies.
• Lead design through delivery of qualitative and quantitative programs (surveys, interviews, focus groups, online communities).
• Translate findings into clear narratives, executive-ready recommendations and actionable implications.
• Advise on primary/secondary research mix, audience intelligence, social listening and analytics.
• Lead research discovery, scope conversations, budgets and opportunities for client growth.
• Oversee vendors, fieldwork, timelines and quality-control of deliverables.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI, automation and analytics platforms to improve workflows.
• Mentor team members and develop capabilities across research and storytelling.
• Collaborate across strategy, creative, earned media, digital and tech teams.

Skills

Research leadership

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Executive storytelling

Client advisory

Research design

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Emerging tech awareness

Mentoring & development

Tools

Survey platforms

Statistical analysis

Data processing

Data visualization

Job description

Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications. Guided by our \"Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected,\" we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Outstanding Large Agency of the Year, 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year, 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work For in North America and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.

Job Description

Vice President, Data & Intelligence

Do you enjoy turning complex questions into research that helps organizations understand audiences, strengthen reputations and make smarter decisions? Are you energized by combining rigorous research with strategic storytelling to uncover insights that shape communications and business strategy?

As Vice President, Data & Intelligence at Zeno, you will serve as a senior research leader within the agency's Data & Intelligence team. You will lead qualitative and quantitative research programs that help clients understand audiences, test messages and ideas, measure reputation, develop thought leadership and make more informed communications and business decisions.

This is an opportunity for a hands-on research leader to counsel senior clients, lead complex engagements, mentor talent and help grow Zeno's research capabilities while connecting primary research with the broader world of analytics, intelligence and AI-enabled insights.

About The Role

• Research Strategy & Client Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, translating business and communications challenges into research strategies that support audience understanding, reputation, messaging, thought leadership and strategic decision-making.
• Primary Research & Methodology: Lead qualitative and quantitative research programs from design through delivery, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, online communities, segmentation, message and concept testing, reputation studies and thought leadership research.
• Insights & Strategic Storytelling: Translate complex research findings into clear narratives, executive-ready recommendations and actionable implications that inform communications and business strategy.
• Integrated Intelligence & Measurement: Advise clients and internal teams on the right combination of primary research, secondary research, syndicated data, audience intelligence, social listening, media measurement and digital analytics to address business questions.
• Client Growth & Business Development: Lead research discovery and scoping conversations, develop research approaches and budgets, identify opportunities to expand client engagements and contribute to new business efforts.
• Research Operations & Quality: Oversee research partners, fieldwork, budgets, timelines and quality-control processes while ensuring methodologies and deliverables are rigorous, accurate and aligned with client objectives.
• AI, Technology & Research Innovation: Identify opportunities to apply AI, automation, analytics platforms and emerging technologies to improve research workflows, quality control, reporting and insight development while maintaining methodological rigor.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development: Mentor and develop team members while strengthening capabilities across research design, analytical thinking, storytelling, presentation and client counsel.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner across strategy, creative, earned media, digital, corporate, consumer, healthcare and technology teams to integrate research and intelligence into broader client programs.

About You

• 10+ years of experience in primary research, market research, insights, communications research, analytics, strategy or related fields within an agency, consultancy, client-service or similar environment.
• Deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative primary research, including research design, questionnaire and discussion guide development, sampling, fieldwork, analysis and reporting.
• Experience leading research programs spanning audience segmentation, message and concept testing, reputation, brand perception, thought leadership, stakeholder research or campaign effectiveness.
• Proven ability to translate complex research findings into clear strategic recommendations and compelling narratives.
• Experience advising senior clients and building trusted relationships with executive stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of communications, reputation and brand research and how insights inform business and communications strategy.
• Experience leading complex research engagements, including scopes, budgets, timelines, vendors and multiple workstreams.
• Experience contributing to business development, including research strategy, proposals, scopes of work and client growth opportunities.
• Familiarity with survey platforms, statistical analysis, data processing and reporting or visualization tools.
• Working knowledge of adjacent analytics capabilities, including social listening, audience intelligence, earned media measurement, digital analytics and integrated measurement.
• Experience mentoring and developing research, analytics or insights professionals.
• Strong writing, storytelling and presentation skills with the ability to make complex findings accessible to diverse audiences.
• Collaborative leadership style with curiosity about emerging research methodologies, technologies and AI-enabled approaches.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with advanced research approaches such as segmentation, multivariate analysis or longitudinal reputation tracking.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled research workflows, automation, APIs or integrated intelligence platforms.
• Experience evaluating research vendors, data providers or analytics technologies.

Pay Range: $130,000-$160,000 UDS/yr.

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

Level 08

An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

About Our Benefits

Healthy, happy employees make Zeno better, so we have programs that support physical, mental and financial wellness. Our culture and benefits are designed to promote flexibility, celebrate diversity and support work/life balance. We offer a variety of medical, dental and vision insurance with prescription plans, as well as short and long-term disability. Our Be Kind to Your Mind program focuses on mental health, providing a paid subscription to Headspace and access to mental health providers and other services through a best-in-class employee assistance program. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self to Zeno and participate in our employee resource groups which build communities for sharing and support. And while we love our work, we believe in the restorative power of time off with generous vacation, paid holidays and self-care time. Employees are supported in their pursuit of financial wellness with a 401(k) plan, pretax flexible spending accounts, tuition assistance, life insurance and free access to a certified financial coach. And our unique ZenoFit program provides a monthly allowance to fund activities in your personal life that bring you joy and keep you healthy. These and other benefits are available to non-temporary employees in the US.

Zeno Group, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained in a confidential file and separate from personnel records. This information may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable federal laws, executive orders, and regulations. If you want more information about any of the sections, please check with a company representative.