Associate Director, Insights – Qualitative

About Us 

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. 

We have an exciting opening for an Associate Director of Qualitative Insights to join our team. We’re looking for someone who dreams big, values collaboration and is committed to turning customer challenges into growth opportunities.  

Job Description

As an Associate Director, you will be responsible for managing Qualitative Insights engagements with clients across industries. You will act as a thought partner to 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, managing research end-to-end, costing projects, online and face to face moderation, managing internal project members, notetaking, developing nearly client ready reports/deliverables and overall account management (e.g., being a thought partner to clients, connecting dots, pushing thinking, scoping). This also includes working with and collaborating with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Qualitative Operations, India Cohort) 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.

You will be responsible for establishing, supporting, and building thriving relationships with junior to mid-level Insights and Marketing client Stakeholders.

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).

You will be mentored by senior leadership and receive on-the-job formal training through Material.

Mentoring, coaching, and delegating appropriate work to Associates and Sr. Associates (US and India), sharing responsibility for their growth and development.

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, preferably with 2+ years of community experience, with a proven track record of managing multiple end-to-end research projects.
• Strong understanding of qualitative methodologies, with a focus on communities. Understanding of quantitative research and experience with face to face moderation is a plus.
• 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. Experience with the platforms icanmakeitbetter (ICMIB) and Recollective is a plus.
• 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

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.

What We Offer

In addition to a stellar team and culture, Material offers: 

• A work environment that works best for you. We offer a hybrid environment that gives you the best of everything - working together in our office two days a week, and remotely otherwise. 
• Flexible & synchronous time off. We provide a generous time off plan including annual leave, public holidays, and paid office closure at the year's end.
• Additional Health & Wellness Benefits. Enjoy supplemental, private health insurance that enhances your healthcare access, speed and efficiency and connects you to rewards, discounts, and perks to keep you feeling great! 
• Help planning for your future. We offer a pension scheme with an employer contribution to ensure you're well taken care of later. 

Privacy Statement

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If you need support with a privacy-related matter, please send an email to: [email protected]o