Head of Panel Management – TV Audience Measurement

NielsenIQ; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A global consumer intelligence company is seeking a Head of Panel Management responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the national TV audience measurement panel in South Africa. This role involves ensuring compliant and high-quality panels while overseeing recruitment, quality assurance, and vendor management. Candidates should have 8+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years in leadership, with a strong understanding of South African demographics and audience measurement methodologies. This position offers flexible working and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working environment

Volunteer time off

LinkedIn Learning

Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• 8+ years in audience measurement, field operations, or panel management.
• 3+ years in leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of South African demographics and governance.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the panel management strategy.
• Oversee panel recruitment campaigns and ensure compliance.
• Monitor panel health KPIs and implement engagement programs.

Skills

Audience measurement expertise

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

Job description

The Head of Panel Management is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the national TV audience measurement panel (household panel) and the Digital Panel (measurement of online video; individual panel) in South Africa. This role ensures the panels are representative, compliant, and high-quality, supporting the delivery of the official TV audience measurement currency. The position oversees recruitment, installation, maintenance, retention, and quality assurance of panel households and individuals, ensuring adherence to GfK standards, POPIA compliance, and international best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Panel Strategy & Governance: Define and implement the panel management strategy aligned with currency requirements and market governance (BRC). Ensure sample design compliance and demographic representativeness. Develop policies and SOPs for recruitment, maintenance, and churn management.
• Recruitment & Installation: Oversee panel recruitment campaigns; manage installation of metering technology; ensure POPIA compliance.
• Panel Health & Retention: Monitor panel health KPIs; implement engagement programs; develop incentive schemes.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Conduct audits; implement QC processes; ensure compliance with GfK internal guidelines and POPIA.
• Vendor & Fieldwork Management: Manage relationships with fieldwork agencies and equipment suppliers; negotiate SLAs.
• Reporting & Stakeholder Communication: Provide panel health reports; communicate changes and improvement plans.
• People Leadership: Build and lead a Panel Management team; foster a culture of accuracy and compliance.

Qualifications & Experience

8+ years in audience measurement, field operations, or panel management; 3+ years in leadership. Strong understanding of South African demographics, governance, and TV ecosystem. Experience with metering technologies and panel methodologies. Knowledge of POPIA compliance and data privacy standards. Proven ability to manage vendors and large-scale field operations.

Key Competencies

Operational excellence in managing complex panel operations; analytical mindset; stakeholder management; leadership skills. Knowledge of data maps/data entry templates, coding, questionnaire design.

Success Metrics

Panel representativeness and compliance; recruitment and installation targets; churn rate reduction; QC pass rates and audit readiness.

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

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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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

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 https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion