Associate Director, Qualitative Insights

This role is to be based near one of our offices in New York, Oakland, or Los Angeles.

About us

We turn customer challenges into growth opportunities.

Material is a global strategy partner to the world’s most recognizable brands and innovative companies. Our people around the globe thrive by helping organizations design and deliver rewarding customer experiences.

We use deep human insights, design innovation and data to create experiences powered by modern technology. Our approaches speed engagement and growth for the companies we work with and transform relationships between businesses and the people they serve.

About the Associate Director, Qualitative Insights role

As an Associate Director, you will be responsible for managing and in some cases leading multiple research and insights engagements at a time. You will act as a thought partner to our junior to mid-level clients, educating them about every step of the process, framing insights for actionable recommendations, while developing trust and building lasting relationships.

Specific delivery-oriented responsibilities include but are not limited to discussion and activity guide development, online and face-to-face moderation, managing internal project members, notetaking, financial project management, developing nearly client ready reports/deliverables (including slides, video deliverables, microsites), overall account/project management and managing scope/knowing when to escalate roadblocks to push work through effectively. This also includes working with and collaborating with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Insight Ops - Qual, Insights Design, India Cohort, Behavioral Sciences, Quant practice and other practices) in support of executing the highest quality work.

Insights reporting responsibilities include translating data into learnings, telling visual stories through data and comprehensive narratives that frame impactful and strategic recommendations. This process to be overseen in partnership with a Senior Project Lead/Senior Team member.

Team & client management responsibilities include establishing, supporting and building thriving relationships with junior to mid-level Insights and Marketing client stakeholders. Mentoring, coaching, and delegating appropriate work to Associates and Sr. Associates, sharing responsibility for their growth and development. You will be mentored by senior leadership and receive on-the-job formal training through Material.

Skills required for success include critical thinking, strategic thinking, project management and problem identification oriented around solutions and POV. Ability to learn and adapt to cutting edge technologies to drive efficiency. And leading through practice of skills established in the Associate/Sr. Associate role (or other relevant career experience).

Qualifications

We are open to alternative modes of education and experience that qualify candidates for the role. Many successful candidates have Bachelors degrees and/or studies in a social science, communications, or business related field and we welcome different backgrounds of study. Masters degrees are a plus.
Minimum of 4 years of experience in market research, with a proven track record of managing multiple end-to-end research projects.
Strong understanding of and experience with qualitative methodologies, including focus groups, ethnographies, in-depth interviews (IDIs), online communities, etc. and broad experience across different types of objectives (JTBD/Needs, Segment Illumination, Audience Understanding, Journey Mapping, Product Innovation, Positioning, etc.)
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex insights to diverse audiences.
Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and manage relationships with external vendors.
Proficiency in market research software and tools and Microsoft/Google Suites.
Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and manage relationships with external vendors.
Demonstrated curiosity, willingness to learn (learning mindset), openness to sharing, receiving, asking for, and applying feedback.
Adaptability to new methodologies and technologies in the market

Why work for Material?

In addition to fulfilling, high-impact work, company culture and benefits are integral to determining if a job is a right fit for you. Here’s a bit about who we are and highlights around what we offer.

Who We Are & What We Care About

Material is a global company and we work with best-of-class brands worldwide. We also create and launch new brands and products, putting innovation and value creation at the center of our practice. Our clients are in the top of their class, across industry sectors from technology to retail, transportation, finance and healthcare.
Material employees join a peer group of exceptionally talented colleagues across the company, the country, and even the world. We develop capabilities, craft and leading-edge market offerings across seven global practices including strategy and insights, design, data & analytics, technology and tracking. Our engagement management team makes it all hum for clients.
We prize inclusion and interconnectedness. We amplify our impact through the people, perspectives, and expertise we engage in our work. Our commitment to deep human understanding combined with a science & systems approach uniquely equips us to bring a rich frame of reference to our work.
A community focused on learning and making an impact. Material is an outcomes focused company. We create experiences that matter, create new value and make a difference in people's lives.

Pay Range: $80,000.00 – $87,000.00

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Material. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

Privacy Statement

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