VP/SVP of Quantitative Research

Overview

Our client is a leading Insights Firm based in NYC. They are a collection of outstanding researchers, strategists, and communication specialists assisting the influential and innovative organizations to leverage the power of effective communication.

Research is their business and finding true 'insights' is an essential part of what they do. Together, we are looking for someone who is passionate about applying quantitative research methods and analytics to solve business and marketing challenges through effective communication.

Responsibilities

Our VP of Quantitative Research will be based in NYC and lead our growing and highly strategic quantitative research function, predominantly focused on message and language testing, communication strategy development, and marketing/positioning development and refinement.

PROJECT TEAM LEADERSHIP

• Primary responsibility for quality and efficiency of all quantitative projects
• Plan, design, and ensure successful completion of quantitative engagements through effective management of the quantitative team
• Guide the quantitative research team and clients to design survey instruments that meet the business and research objectives (being active and 'hands-on' for complex engagements)
• Direct analytical plans to validate hypotheses from qualitative research/uncover insights
• Provide recommendations for client deliverables
• Ensure accurate analysis - and effective interpretation and reporting of data

• Serve as the 'quantitative research lead' for all strategically important client with support of the team, including formulating value-added insights

• Be the subject matter expert on our work, providing thought-leadership externally and internally so that confidence in our quant capabilities is instilled in and outside of the organization

Account Growth - Business Development

• Play an active role in the development of new business (new logos) and expanding existing client relationships
• Serve as a resource for business generated by other members of the organization for integrating quantitative research into proposals
• Translate overall client objectives into quantitative research objectives
• Recommend appropriate methodologies, research designs and sample frames to achieve the objectives, including consideration of timing, budget, and client sophistication
• Co-create or create client proposals
• Work with leadership to develop and execute a strategy that continues to grow our quantitative research business. This may include identifying/evaluating new survey techniques/question types, new analytic frameworks and/or technology that aids in data collection/analysis/reporting.

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

• Identifying and building efficiencies and consistencies from "start to finish'
• Determine the best ways to scale and service quantitative projects, collaborating with your quantitative team and project management organization (PMO) to implement and socialize
• Discover new standard survey questions and standardized survey formats for use in achieving different types of research objectives to simplify survey design
• Direct the team on ways of working and templates and ensure these standards are up to date, known to all and easily accessed
• Continue to implement infrastructure, tools, and training to improve our processes, ensure consistency, and develop our team
• Continue to evolve/expand our library of standardized set of charts and introduce automation, as appropriate, to present data from standard questions/methodologies
• Identify areas of needed training and facilitating such training (while we do not expect all members of client teams to become trained in sophisticated research methods, we do need all client teams to have a strong foundational understanding of survey research)
• Solicit feedback to look for ways to continually improve the quantitative center of excellence
• Continue to assess and streamline our process for scoping and pricing new survey research projects

Qualifications

What our ideal candidate will bring:

• Currently or recently in a senior role within a leading market research or management consulting firm; advanced degree preferred
• The experience and willingness to be "hands-on" at all phases of work (pitching to design, execution, analysis, and presentation) in addition to having an entrepreneurial mindset and proven track record in increasing revenues and building teams
• Strong strategic and critical thinking skills and the ability to create true insight and tell stories from research findings
• Extensive experience with messaging, positioning, reputation, public affairs, and/or political campaign research
• Knowledge of behavioral science and experience applying it to quantitative research projects
• Deep experience with various research and analytical methods, including multivariate analysis
• An aptitude for developing creative approaches grounded in research fundamentals and theorical frameworks to answer challenging business questions
• Experience collaborating with various stakeholders in a high-volume, deadline-driven, process-oriented, client-servicing environment
• Superior communication, problem solving, and interpersonal skills
• Strong technical skills and comfort evaluating and adopting new technologies (for research and across the broader organization)
• Previous experience with SPSS and/or other statistical software packages