Associate Director (Maternity Cover)

In a nutshell
We are looking for an enthusiastic, energetic, qual-focused Associate Director to join our growing team for a fixed-term, 12-15 month maternity cover contract. If you are an experienced qual AD looking for a new challenge, and are hungry to make more of a personal impact in a fast-growing, successful consultancy, then we need you. You will also gain exposure to the wider range of Yonder projects including, but not limited to, quantitative research, brand strategy, creative development and analytics.

Your skills & experience 

You will have at least 7 years’ agency experience, working across a range of sectors and clients, and have excellent research, communication, and client management skills.  You will have experience - and a keen interest - in leading edge approaches, but also be well versed in the ‘classics’.  Specifically, your experience will include leading Social and Public research projects and proposals and designing deliberative approaches.  Your team trust you, and you will have the respect of your peers. But you want more.

The role

We need an Associate Director as a fixed term maternity cover in our insight Practice.  As well as mentoring and guiding less experienced colleagues, you will manage, design and deliver research projects across a broad range of sectors and clients, both UK-based and international. Yonder’s current qual client roster includes BT, FCDO, DfE, Network Rail, Southern Water, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, the Gambling Commission, Alzheimer's Society, Wellcome, to name but a few.  

You will have a leading role across the entire project lifecycle, from writing proposals and supporting pitches through to writing and presenting engaging debriefs. You will use a range of qualitative research approaches and techniques, from focus groups and moderation through to online communities, life-logging and deliberative approaches. Familiarity with Social Media Analysis would also be of benefit. You will develop client relationships and will work closely with the new business team to uncover new business opportunities. 

It is essential that you are able to take the lead in managing projects, taking responsibility for delivering client work to the highest standard. You will lead in designing and conducting these projects, thinking creatively to determine the best approach for addressing client challenges and then managing colleagues and suppliers (where relevant) to produce final reports, presentations and recommendations for the client. Experience in designing and/or interpreting primary research is, therefore, desirable. Often you will work with more directors and partners but you will also be expected to lead projects without close supervision. You will likely be managing less experienced team members, and will be required to oversee and manage their work, giving feedback that helps them improve. You will also have some interest in the other specialisms that Yonder offers from brand strategy to advanced data analytics and creative campaign execution.

What Yonder can offer you

Yonder has a real buzz as we continue to grow. We reward people who help to drive that growth and the company supports and encourages new ideas which will add value. You will have the opportunity to get involved in and work with different areas of our business, from innovation and brand strategy, to behavioural science and analytics, placing you in the best position to develop your career. Whilst we work in a hybrid way, all employees are expected to be able to travel to our offices in London twice a week. We offer a competitive salary, 28 days holiday (plus your birthday day off!), a 5% employer pension contribution, life assurance and other benefits like flexible working and 4pm finishes on Fridays etc.

Our Values and behaviours

We Focus 

• Engage / Express with clarity / Take a view / Be pragmatic 

We Go Further 

• Challenge the thinking / Be brave (backed by evidence) / Work at the edge/ Celebrate imagination 

We Pursue Brilliance 

• Discover what matters / Be a yardstick / Show professional integrity / Bring the energy  
  

We’re In It Together 

• Connect with authenticity / Be open / Lift yourself by lifting others / Muck in