VP, Data & Intelligence — Insights & AI Strategy

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

Benefits offered by this job

Be Kind to Your Mind program

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Headspace subscription

Job summary

Zeno Group is seeking a seasoned Vice President, Data & Intelligence in the United States to lead the research agenda, synthesize insights, and guide clients with strategic storytelling that informs communications and business decisions. You will mentor a team, manage complex engagements, and drive growth for Zeno's data and analytic capabilities within a collaborative agency environment.

You will oversee qualitative and quantitative programs, integrate primary and secondary research, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in primary research, market research, insights, analytics, strategy or related fields within an agency, consultancy, client‑service or similar environment.
• Deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative primary research, including design, questionnaire 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Translate complex research findings into clear narratives, executive-ready recommendations and actionable implications that inform communications and business strategy.
• 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.
• Lead research discovery and scoping conversations, develop research approaches and budgets, identify opportunities to expand client engagements and contribute to new business efforts.
• Oversee research partners, fieldwork, budgets, timelines and quality-control processes while ensuring methodologies and deliverables are rigorous, accurate and aligned with client objectives.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI, automation, analytics platforms and emerging technologies to improve workflows, quality control, reporting and insight development while maintaining rigor.
• Mentor and develop team members while strengthening capabilities across research design, analytical thinking, storytelling, presentation and client counsel.
• Partner across strategy, creative, earned media, digital, corporate, consumer, healthcare and technology teams to integrate research and intelligence into broader client programs.

Skills

Research strategy

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Executive storytelling

Client counsel

Team leadership

Budgeting

Vendors management

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Zeno Group is seeking a seasoned Vice President, Data & Intelligence in the United States to lead the research agenda, synthesize insights, and guide clients with strategic storytelling that informs communications and business decisions. You will mentor a team, manage complex engagements, and drive growth for Zeno's data and analytic capabilities within a collaborative agency environment.

You will oversee qualitative and quantitative programs, integrate primary and secondary research, and