Director, Custom Research

As a Custom Research Director on our Qualitative UXR team, you will be responsible for overseeing the successful execution of a variety of research projects, leveraging your expertise to deliver smart research designs and comprehensive analysis plans. You will define the vision for reports, demonstrating expert-level analysis and insights to clients. This role also involves managing a few researchers, overseeing resourcing strategy to achieve project goals and providing guidance and support in individual team members’ development, ensuring high client satisfaction for every project.

• You will manage overall client relationships, ensuring high client satisfaction across every project, proactively reaching out to understand their business and needs. Facilitating strategic discussions with clients will allow you to understand their long-term goals and ensure the research aligns with their objectives. This role involves acting as the primary point of contact for clients, addressing their concerns, and providing regular updates on project progress, solidifying MarketCast's reputation as a trusted partner. Your contributions will be instrumental in building long-term partnerships and driving client success.


• As a manager, you will maintain accountability for your team's performance and professional development. You will provide on-the-job coaching and targeted training plans, and contribute to the development and lead the execution of team-wide training plans. Attracting and recruiting top industry talent will be a key aspect of your role, ensuring that the team is equipped with the skills and expertise necessary to excel. Establishing team member resourcing strategy to achieve project goals, you'll ensure efficient and effective project execution.


• Supporting senior Research team members on business development efforts for existing clients will involve demonstrating a deep understanding of client needs and market trends. You will contribute to the development of research strategies and participate in client pitches, leveraging your expertise to secure new business opportunities. By collaborating with the Commercial team to pitch new business, you'll ensure the Research team's scope is accurately covered in proposals. Your contributions will be vital in expanding MarketCast's client base and driving revenue growth.


• You will oversee the planning and execution of qualitative research projects, primarily usability research, ensuring quality and timeliness, as well as manage and monitor projects end-to-end, ensuring that all stakeholders are clear on responsibilities, objectives, and deadlines. Your ability to manage and monitor projects end-to-end, ensuring that all stakeholders are clear on responsibilities, objectives, and deadlines, guarantees smooth project execution. Effective collaboration with all departments and stakeholders ensures a cohesive approach to project delivery.


• You will direct discussion guide design, ensuring guides meet not only client objectives but also industry standards and best practices. You will collaborate with senior leadership to develop innovative methodologies and enhancements to processes. By staying abreast of the latest qualitative research techniques and technologies, you will enhance the quality and reliability of MarketCast's research instruments. Your expertise in instrument development will contribute to the accuracy and relevance of the data collected, ultimately benefiting clients.


• Leading the development of comprehensive analysis plans by providing strategic guidance and support to junior team members is crucial for extracting meaningful insights from research data. Ensuring the integration of insights from different research projects provides comprehensive recommendations to clients. Your role involves overseeing the analysis and reporting, ensuring data accuracy and integrity throughout the analysis process. By ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data, you'll enable clients to make informed decisions based on solid evidence.


• Leading the development of client reports, ensuring they meet quality standards and client expectations, is a critical aspect of your role. Ensuring that the deliverable is client ready ensures that reports are clear, concise, and impactful. You will lead client presentations, demonstrating expert-level analysis and insights to drive client decision-making, effectively communicating research findings to clients. Turning data interpretation into an impactful story for the client that drives action, you'll enable them to make informed strategic decisions.


• You will support senior team members in managing project budgets to ensure projects are delivered within financial constraints. Monitoring budgets regularly, flag when scope creep has cost implications and work with Research leads to address. Begin learning the inputs that go into overall project budget, including the amount of research hours and direct costs it takes to execute a project. This ensures the financial health and profitability of MarketCast's research operations.


• Providing input to shape the direction of company-wide initiatives, such as product development, research on research, and thought leadership, is a valuable contribution to MarketCast's overall strategy. Collaborating with other departments (ex. Operations, Product, Marketing) to drive initiatives forward, you'll foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. By sharing your insights and expertise, you'll help MarketCast remain at the forefront of the market research industry. Your engagement will play a vital role in shaping the company's future direction and success.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; Master's degree preferred.


• Minimum of 7 years of experience in market research, with a focus on qualitative research, ideally with some UXR experience.


• 3+ years managing a team of researchers.


• Proven ability to design and execute complex research projects from inception to completion.


• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently explore options and paths for solving problems, while also seeking input from others and proactively suggesting recommendations for solutions.


• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to think critically and analyze data beyond the basics, leveraging various data sources and expertise to inform actionable recommendations.


• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate messages and actions clearly and confidently.


• Ability to manage deadlines for oneself and the team, prioritize tasks, and multitask effectively with strong attention to detail.


• Strong client relationship-building skills, with a proven track record of managing and growing client accounts.


• Commercial acumen, with the ability to understand client needs and identify opportunities for further engagement.