Director of Research

The Director of Research develops, conducts, analyzes and presents findings of primary and secondary research to identify the attitudes and interests of consumers to help produce effective business, marketing, and advertising strategies. This person will lead and build the research practice, including the development of proprietary methodologies to help generate additional revenue.

Acting as the voice of the consumer within the agency, research is used to understand consumer behavior, measure attitudes, gauge perceptions, and identify unmet needs. This role works closely with Strategy to combine market data, primary research, and product knowledge within a core proposition to enable the creative team to produce advertising ideas that resolve defined business problems. Further, the Director of Research works closely with Account Services to build relationships with clients and recommend research for Zimmerman accounts and new business to drive business results.

Responsibilities

• Execute a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research with high level of involvement from inception to delivery of final results and recommendations.
• Develop research proposals that fully outline scope, methodology, timing, and budget requirements.
• Plan, schedule, and manage all activities related to research.
• Develop compelling research deliverables using data/insights to craft a story.
• Develop a business plan to grow the division with increasing profitably.
• Work in partnership with the CSO to develop new business and promotional materials, including web site, RFQ responses, proposals, presentations, and the like.
• Promote Zimmerman's research capabilities internally and externally, including participation in conferences and events, new business meetings and the like.
• Moderate qualitative research such as focus groups, IDIs, online diaries, etc.
• Develop and manage a team of researchers.
• Routinely and expertly use PowerPoint, Keynote, and Excel.
• Conduct competitive research and trend analysis using secondary resources like Mintel, MRI Simmons, IBIS World, etc.

Required Skills

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, marketing, statistics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, communications, or other social science; combined with strong experience in research and study design.
• Minimum of 10 years research experience (both qualitative and quantitative) required.
• Experience working within an advertising agency, market research supplier, or research consulting required.
• Deep knowledge and applied experience with a variety of quantitative and qualitative research
• Experience with analysis techniques such as correlations, driver analysis, and multivariate analyses (such as cluster/segmentation analyses).
• Experience and comfortable moderating qualitative research - IDIs, focus groups, ethnographies, mobile diaries, etc.
• Experience creating reports/visuals in PowerPoint, Keynote and Excel.
• Experience using research tools such as Decipher, Displayr, and Netbase.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to perform in-depth data analysis.
• Demonstrates strength in visually representing data in an easy-to-digest format.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written/visual) to deliver compelling presentations.
• Demonstrates project management skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to shifting timelines and priorities as necessary.
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal partners and external vendors.
• Interpersonal skills, able to work as part of a team in a fast-paced, challenging work environment and a high level of responsiveness to others.
• Organizational skills, detail-oriented and able to follow-through on assigned tasks.
• Ability to work autonomously, operate in ambiguous situations and independently drive projects.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn and develop quickly.

Required Experience

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, marketing, statistics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, communications, or other social science; combined with strong experience in research and study design.
• Minimum of 10 years research experience (both qualitative and quantitative) required.
• Experience working within an advertising agency, market research supplier, or research consulting required.
• Deep knowledge and applied experience with a variety of quantitative and qualitative research
• Experience with analysis techniques such as correlations, driver analysis, and multivariate analyses (such as cluster/segmentation analyses).
• Experience and comfortable moderating qualitative research - IDIs, focus groups, ethnographies, mobile diaries, etc.
• Experience creating reports/visuals in PowerPoint, Keynote and Excel.
• Experience using research tools such as Decipher, Displayr, and Netbase.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to perform in-depth data analysis.
• Demonstrates strength in visually representing data in an easy-to-digest format.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written/visual) to deliver compelling presentations.
• Demonstrates project management skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to shifting timelines and priorities as necessary.
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal partners and external vendors.
• Interpersonal skills, able to work as part of a team in a fast-paced, challenging work environment and a high level of responsiveness to others.
• Organizational skills, detail-oriented and able to follow-through on assigned tasks.
• Ability to work autonomously, operate in ambiguous situations and independently drive projects.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn and develop quickly.