ASSOCIATE RESEARCH DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

An Associate Research Director means something specific: you own the output, not just the process. You are the person who signs off on brand health trackers and custom quantitative studies, the one clients call when they need a finding explained or a methodology defended, and the one whose name is on the proposal. This role sits above project execution and below Research Director, carrying both delivery accountability and a small team to develop. The discipline required is real - FMCG brand tracking, segmentation techniques, and multi-audience survey design are regular technical terrain, not occasional demands.

As the Associate Research Director, you translate client business questions into rigorous primary research programs and deliver findings that inform brand and category decisions across FMCG and consumer goods clients. You work within a market research agency or insights consultancy, reporting to a Research Director or unit lead, and manage a team of one to three junior researchers while carrying personal accountability for a portfolio of accounts.

Career Impact: Owning a named portfolio of brand health and custom research accounts at this level builds the kind of supplier-side credibility that Research Director searches specifically screen for.

Business Impact: The brand equity and tracking studies you deliver directly inform marketing investment decisions for consumer goods manufacturers, making the accuracy of your synthesis consequential at the client's budget table.

Growth Opportunity: Regular exposure to advanced techniques - including discrete choice, MaxDiff, and driver modeling - expands your quantitative toolkit into methods that command a premium in senior research hiring.

• Lead proposal development for custom and connected research programs, including methodology design and cost recommendations.
• Design quantitative survey instruments and qualitative facilitator guides to address multi-audience client business questions.
• Oversee project delivery across fieldwork, data processing, analysis, and reporting to meet agreed budgets and timelines.
• Synthesize findings into slides-based research reports with narrative-driven story structure and data visualization.
• Present results and strategic recommendations to senior client stakeholders, responding confidently to methodology questions.
• Coach and supervise junior researchers and operations staff, providing guidance on analysis and deliverable standards.
• Develop and maintain trusted advisor relationships with client contacts to support account retention and repeat business.
• Identify opportunities to improve research design and delivery processes within the account portfolio.

• Bachelor's degree in marketing research, social science, psychology, communications, or equivalent work experience.
• 6 or more years of primary market research experience, with significant tenure on the supplier or vendor side.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design complex quantitative surveys, including screener logic and multi-audience branching.
• Proven experience writing slides-based research reports centered on business question insights rather than data description.
• Working knowledge of advanced statistical research approaches, including segmentation, driver modeling, and discrete choice methods, sufficient for client-level interpretation.
• Strong project management skills, including budget tracking, timeline ownership, and internal team coordination.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills across client, executive, and junior researcher audiences.
• Experience managing or supervising at least one direct report or junior project team member.

• Specific category expertise in FMCG, consumer packaged goods, or retail, with familiarity in brand health tracking programs.
• Ability to design and moderate qualitative research, including focus groups or one-on-one depth interviews, as a complement to quantitative programs.
• Experience with conjoint, MaxDiff, or CHAID techniques sufficient to brief a marketing science team and interpret outputs for clients.
• Prior involvement in business development activities, including proposal pricing, pitch presentations, or new account onboarding.

• Client retention rate across managed accounts, reflecting proposal quality and ongoing relationship strength.
• On-budget delivery rate per project, measuring fieldwork and reporting phase cost control.
• Proposal win rate on competitive bids, indicating the commercial viability of methodology and pricing recommendations.
• Report turnaround time from data delivery to final client presentation, measuring synthesis speed and team coordination.
• Supervisor ratings from direct reports, indicating coaching effectiveness and team development within a 1–3 person pod.
• Typical tools: Statistical analysis software (commonly SPSS or R); presentation and reporting platforms (commonly PowerPoint or Google Slides).

• Base Salary Range: $95,000 to $130,000 depending on agency size and geography.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 8 to 15 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Uncommon in agency settings; equity or profit-sharing available at some independent firms.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by firm.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus standard federal holidays.
• Common Perks: Conference attendance, professional development budget, hybrid work schedule.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process and in the workplace; requests should be directed to the hiring team. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. A background check is required as a condition of employment. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Associate Research Director leads the collection, analysis, and creation of actionable commercial insights for presentations, whitepapers, and client-facing content within CBRE's research function, reporting to senior leadership. The role owns the delivery of market perspectives that support new business development and position CBRE as the authoritative voice on commercial real estate and industry trends.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze, and create actionable commercial insights for presentations, whitepapers, and other content outputs.
• Act as a trusted advisor for market leaders and top brokers.
• Serve as liaison between the local market and the national perspective.
• Provide content and, with leadership guidance, serve as the public face of CBRE's perspectives on property and market dynamics.
• Create perspectives that drive new client conversations.
• Respond to multiple internal and external constituencies by providing relevant insights on market conditions and trends.
• Respond to ad hoc internal and external client requests for data analysis, graphs, and commentary.
• Attend applicable industry conferences, broker meetings, and client meetings.
• Coordinate and assign tasks to co-workers within a work unit or project team.
• Lead project teams and supervise assignments of lower-level employees.
• Identify training needs, track performance, coach, and motivate a work unit or group.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• BA/BS in economics, finance, business administration, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 6-8 years of related experience; minimum 4 years of commercial real estate experience required.
• Certificates and/or licenses as required.
• Expert-level knowledge of research fundamentals and methodologies with ability to apply data analytics expertise to brand and core business benefit.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of financial terms and principles, including ability to calculate complex figures and prepare financial/business analysis reports.
• Expert-level analytical and quantitative skills; ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex documents and solve problems in complex situations.
• Strong project management skills with ability to oversee multiple large, complex projects and determine priorities through to completion.
• Strong technical proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) with willingness to learn new technologies related to data collection, extraction, and tracking.
• Commercial mindset with ability to identify trends, translate ideas into thoughtful deliverables, and think about the market innovatively.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for speaking engagements, client presentations, and senior professional audiences.
• Ability to work as a team player in a matrixed environment and navigate the dynamics of a large, centralized organization while supporting global, national, and local initiatives.

Embedded within YouGov's FMCG research practice, the Associate Research Director manages the full lifecycle of connected and custom research projects from proposal writing through insights delivery, serving as the primary client point of contact across senior and junior stakeholders. Working closely with internal departments and end clients, the Associate Research Director builds repeat business relationships that extend and grow the organization's FMCG portfolio.

Core Functions

• Oversee and manage all aspects of connected and custom projects from proposal phase through reporting and presentation.
• Work closely with clients, senior executives, and internal departments to manage project and client book of business outcomes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, generating strong relationships and repeat business.
• Write full proposals and recommend appropriate research designs.
• Design and write connected and custom research reports with actionable insights and present findings to clients.
• Perform analysis on collected data and interpret findings to answer key business questions, including applying multivariate techniques.
• Execute quantitative projects and some qualitative projects or modules as needed, including focus group moderation or one-on-one interviews.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of experience conducting custom, primary market research, with majority on the supplier/vendor side.
• Specific expertise and interest in the FMCG sector required.
• Diverse knowledge of research techniques across a wide range of clients and business needs, including concept testing, segmentation, pricing, branding, tracking, and market sizing.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical approaches such as segmentation, driver modeling, discrete choice/conjoint, MaxDiff, and CHAID, including business interpretation of outputs.
• Proven ability to independently develop complex, multi-audience quantitative surveys and qualitative facilitator guides.
• Proven ability to independently write complex, slides-based research reports with narrative-driven synthesis and data visualization.
• Proven ability to manage and supervise junior researchers, operations, and marketing sciences staff, including training and supervision.
• Strong experience with Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, PowerPoint/Slides, and SPSS.
• Effective writing, time management, multitasking, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Reporting to senior research leadership, the Associate Research Director shapes policy-influencing studies and leads project delivery across quantitative and qualitative methodologies for Ipsos in Scotland, partnering with clients in economic development, behavioural research, and public engagement. Partnering with experienced researchers and evaluators, the Associate Research Director drives proposal development and revenue generation that grows key client accounts and extends the firm's influence in public affairs research.

Primary Duties

• Take responsibility and accountability for overall delivery and quality of projects.
• Lead small and medium-sized projects or manage large and complex projects across different methodologies.
• Oversee all aspects of the project lifecycle from inception through questionnaire design, sample strategies, analysis plans, and final reporting outputs.
• Sign off deliverables including questionnaires, presentations, and reports that meet clients' and stakeholders' objectives.
• Lead proposals and revenue generation, including making pricing recommendations.
• Develop a strong understanding of clients' needs and proactively seek opportunities to grow business.
• Communicate effectively with clients, internal and external suppliers, and internal colleagues in writing and verbally.
• Support and supervise newer team members, manage supplier and internal operations relationships to meet research objectives on time and to budget, and contribute to the positive working environment of the Scotland Public Affairs team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience writing winning proposals including drafting costs.
• Excellent quantitative research skills with ability to lead multiple projects and support newer team members.
• Ability to lead development of high-quality research materials that answer client objectives and work to tight deadlines to deliver profitable work while assuring quality of all outputs.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex data to draw out a clear narrative and insight for client decision-making.
• Strong desire to work closely with clients to maintain and grow contracts.

Sitting at the intersection of quantitative research and client consultancy, the Associate Research Director delivers an evolving audience measurement project at Ipsos, serving as the main client point of contact for complex methodology and data questions. Operating across internal data science, operations, and fieldwork teams, the Associate Research Director ensures quarterly reporting cycles meet quality standards and drive continuous improvement in research delivery.

Duties

• Be a key contributor to client liaison on complex project and account-related matters.
• Attend regular client and stakeholder meetings.
• Be jointly responsible for design, execution, quality control, analysis, delivery, and presentation of results.
• Work closely with relevant experts within Ipsos, including the Data Science team when necessary.
• Identify opportunities to improve offer, performance, and client delivery.
• Execute core research elements including sampling and weighting, questionnaire design, and script checking.
• Perform data processing and analysis including scanning and editing of paper questionnaires, social grade subtleties, ascription checking, and fusion dataset work.
• Work on quarterly reporting cycle, including ongoing testing and enhancement to deliver high-quality research outputs.
• Serve as a main point of contact for clients and respond confidently to complex stakeholder questions on methodology and data.
• Liaise with internal operations teams to ensure high-quality outputs and meet deadlines.

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience across a broad range of data collection methodologies with thorough understanding of pros and cons of each.
• Strong project management skills with ability to meet deadlines and coordinate internal operations teams.
• Ability to clearly articulate complex and detailed issues, demonstrating flexibility and creativity in adapting to client requests.
• Confident approach to client communications and presentations involving complex methodology and data outputs.
• Technical understanding sufficient to work closely with the data science team and engage with technical processes.
• Excellent numeracy, attention to detail, and intellectual curiosity to investigate anomalies and constructively challenge processes.
• Proactive approach to self-development with strong self-awareness and willingness to seek and offer constructive feedback.
• Confident Excel user; working knowledge of SPSS preferred.

A key member of Fulcrum's client services team, the Associate Research Director delivers primary market research projects end-to-end, covering vendor management, fieldwork, analysis, and reporting for healthcare and pharmaceutical clients. Collaborating across senior leadership and junior staff, the Associate Research Director contributes to proposal development, conference representation, and white paper creation that establishes the firm's thought leadership.

Functions

• Manage primary research projects including vendors, timelines, budgets, and fieldwork.
• Execute high-quality research covering materials creation, analysis, reporting, and delivery.
• Deliver excellent client service and relationship management.
• Contribute to internal initiatives including recruitment efforts, interviews, and mentoring junior staff.
• Contribute to business growth through proposal brainstorming, presentations, and white paper development.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• 3-5 years of previous work experience in primary market research, healthcare marketing, or consulting required.
• Pharmaceutical/healthcare experience highly desirable.
• Experience with quantitative analysis methods required.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required; MarketSights and Mac skills a plus.
• Willingness to travel.

Strong delivery of advanced Government R&D programs in mobile and embedded systems depends on the Associate Research Director, who provides technical leadership, line management, and business capture for Two Six Labs' expanding Mobile and Embedded Systems team. Based within a distributed engineering organization, the Associate Research Director serves as both an active technical contributor and the primary interface for Government R&D clients seeking mobile and embedded systems capabilities.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership of the group as an active contributor.
• Manage and grow the Mobile & Embedded Systems team of engineers.
• Identify, capture, and transition new advanced R&D programs.
• Provide technical oversight of the Mobile & Embedded Systems team's portfolio of R&D projects.
• Conduct line management of team members and identify and hire new team members.
• Perform technical marketing of Mobile & Embedded Systems services and capabilities to new and existing Government R&D clients.
• Lead and participate in proposal generation and delivery.
• Define, revise, and balance requirements across multiple stakeholders.
• Coordinate logistics across multiple locations and teams.
• Deploy cutting-edge technologies to end-user locations.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics with concentration in operating systems, embedded systems, or related technical domain required; advanced degree (Master's or PhD) preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance; active security clearance preferred.
• Ten or more years of professional experience in a similar role.
• Past performance as a Principal Investigator on fast-paced, innovation-driven, advanced R&D projects, ideally for Government clients; proven track record of capturing Government R&D contracts and programs.
• Experience serving as a line manager for a team of scientists and engineers; proven experience leading a rapidly growing team with distributed teams spanning geographic locations and functional organizations.
• Experience building and modifying Android or other mobile operating systems, developing security solutions and products, and leading teams in a rapid prototype environment demonstrating scalable architectures.
• Strong foundational knowledge of Android OS and/or Linux kernel, embedded systems, network stacks, and wireless protocols.
• Cybersecurity domain experience and knowledge.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

As the Associate Research Director, this role leads research and evaluation activities across workforce development topics for JFF's Research and Analytics Unit, reporting to the Unit Director and directing small teams of researchers through the full project lifecycle from design to dissemination. The Research and Analytics Unit relies on this work to inform JFF's program and policy efforts, strengthen its influence in education and workforce development, and advance racial equity and economic mobility outcomes.

Scope of Work

• Lead research and evaluation on workforce development topics, working independently and/or leading teams.
• Determine and implement appropriate quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods to achieve project goals.
• Lead report writing and data visualizations for research dissemination.
• Lead the development of new research and evaluation proposals and stay current on content knowledge and trends.
• Lead research and evaluation activities from design through completion, including direction and management of small researcher teams.
• Develop and execute workplans, timelines, and budgets to ensure high-quality, timely deliverables.
• Contribute to project dissemination internally and externally, including presenting at conferences or other forums.
• Participate in strategic planning to identify, shape, and support achievement of unit goals.
• Identify research topics and questions that can strengthen JFF's leadership in education and workforce development.
• Develop a range of products and tools to communicate results and reach target audiences including practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.

Professional Experience

• 10-12 years of experience leading research or evaluation in workforce development or related fields, preferably with strong knowledge of federal workforce programs and national and state workforce initiatives.
• Experience developing, piloting, and fielding surveys, focus groups, and interview protocols for research and evaluation.
• Experience collecting, cleaning, managing, and analyzing quantitative data, including knowledge of statistical software (Stata, R, SPSS); experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau a plus.
• Experience analyzing qualitative data including coding and analyzing themes for findings and development of promising practices for the field.
• Strong communication skills with ability to tell a compelling story around data across diverse audiences.
• Model inclusive leadership, working effectively with diverse staff and building an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset, curiosity, and adaptability with willingness to take in new information and perspectives to inform work.

Associate Director, Research builds and advances NSWHP's research strategy and governance framework, overseeing the Research Governance Office and ensuring all research activities align with NSW Health priorities and accountable ethics requirements. The work directly supports NSWHP's mission by managing multidisciplinary research staff, stewarding the Intellectual Property Framework, and forging strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to sustain and grow the organization's research capability.

Ownership Areas

• Oversee the implementation of NSWHP's research strategy and research governance framework.
• Manage staff in the Research office to ensure effective and efficient delivery of defined services and project outcomes within agreed timeframes, budgets, quality, and resources.
• Provide leadership and support to the Research Governance Office and local research service coordinators.
• Build key strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver on NSWHP's Research Strategy.
• Oversee NSWHP's Intellectual Property Framework, including coordination of IP-related activities.
• Collaborate with NSWHP's Innovation team and others involved in prototyping, process re-engineering, redesign, quality improvement, and other relevant initiatives.

Background & Experience

• PhD or other tertiary qualification and/or demonstrated experience in a clinical, research, or health management field required.
• Demonstrated high-level understanding of human research ethics, research governance processes, intellectual property management, and the health and medical research landscape at local, state, and national levels.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills with proven ability to concurrently manage multiple programs of work, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated highly developed verbal and written expression with ability to produce high-quality reports, presentations, and briefings.
• Demonstrated experience in effective leadership with multidisciplinary staff in a complex research and development environment.
• Demonstrated high-level negotiation, consultation, interpersonal communication, and relationship management skills with ability to influence others and work collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member to achieve strategic goals, manage multi-faceted projects, and produce quality work with strong attention to detail.

The Associate Research Director delivers brand health trackers, brand equity studies, and ad-hoc quantitative research for a portfolio of accounts within Kantar's Turkey Brand Domain team, overseeing a team of up to three direct reports and ensuring all outputs meet client needs and budget targets. The role shapes client relationships and commercial outcomes by designing insight solutions, validating hypotheses, and providing consultancy that retains existing business and deepens client engagement across categories.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead brand health projects across a portfolio of accounts and oversee team delivery of all deliverables within agreed budgets.
• Ensure all deliverables including brand health trackers, brand equity studies, and ad-hoc quantitative studies meet client needs and generate strong insight and impact.
• Design appropriate solutions to drive meaningful insight for clients' needs and business questions.
• Formulate, articulate, and validate hypotheses to help build appropriate and impactful client stories.
• Develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of clients and their business and apply commercial implications to all deliverables and analysis.
• Deliver effective advice and consultancy to clients.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team with 1-3 direct line reports and foster a culture of collaboration, growth, and learning.
• Build strong client relationships and deliver on account responsibilities to retain and maintain existing business.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in quantitative consumer insights within a manufacturer or market research agency.
• Experience managing a team and/or working with multi-skilled stakeholders; relationship management experience preferred.
• Sound understanding of research techniques and data interpretation with logical reasoning skills.
• Comfort working with large amounts of data and ability to generate insights by translating data into impactful presentations.
• Strong project management and project coordination skills.
• Excellence in MS Office.
• Fluency in English required.
• Commercial and curious mindset with strong problem-solving skills and a drive to uncover the why behind business questions.
• Effective communication, data storytelling, and data visualization skills.

Reporting to Kantar's regional leadership, the Associate Research Director oversees timely and high-quality delivery of research services to Kantar business units outside the Philippines, managing the full research process from stakeholder engagement through consultancy output. The Associate Research Director advances client satisfaction and business growth by coaching team members, identifying process improvements, and contributing to regional and global product launches.

Accountabilities

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and ensure the team delivers responsibilities to drive client satisfaction and maintain existing business.
• Actively identify opportunities to strengthen and improve processes and play an active role in creating offerings to delight clients.
• Work closely with key client-facing stakeholders to find opportunities to deepen insights and deliver effective advice and consultancy.
• Lead accounts to oversee team delivery of all account outputs within agreed budgets and course-correct where required.
• Contribute to rollouts of regional and global launches.
• Coach and develop team members, participate in recruitment and training, and facilitate career development across the team while balancing business needs.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Degree-level education, ideally majoring in Communications, Marketing, Marketing Research, Cultural Studies, or Psychology.
• 7-8 years of relevant quantitative research experience with direct involvement in selling, conducting, analysis, and reporting.
• Experienced in new business development, running a financial profit centre, and managing a team.
• Brand and advertising industry knowledge with strong project management skills and excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrates adaptability, agility, high-level resilience, and a strong eye for business.