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- Tasks: Lead innovative qualitative research and analysis to understand human behaviour.
- Company: Join Canvas8, a dynamic insights practice with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, and well-being support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on brands like Nike and Google through groundbreaking research.
- Qualifications: 7-9 years in qualitative research with strong leadership and storytelling skills.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly team that values curiosity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you fascinated by human culture and behaviour? Are you passionate about new ways to understand people? Do you know your ethnography from your digital anthropology? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you at Canvas8. This is an opportunity to join a dynamic, close-knit team focused on revealing the ‘why’ behind consumer behaviour. You’ll play a pivotal role in revolutionising qualitative research, championing innovation, and building a thriving global division within Canvas8. With a brilliant team around you, your efforts will be instrumental in helping inspire the world’s best brands, agencies, and organisations, including Nike, Google, Lego, Mindshare, and Universal Music.
About us
We are Canvas8, a strategic insights practice operating out of London, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, and Manilla. We help our clients understand people so they can make better business decisions. Our work investigates the hidden insights in everyday life – from the psychology of boredom to teenage make-up rituals to why Barbiecore is a Gen Y thing – and makes them meaningful for brands. Our team is a blend of disciplines and skills – from psychology to journalism, anthropology to behavioural economics. What unites them is a desire to understand people and a passion for delivering outstanding work.
About the role
We’re seeking an exceptional Associate Director with at least seven years of experience to lead our Social Science division. You will be responsible for pioneering and leading innovative research and analysis across consultancy projects and through Canvas8 Membership. Whether that’s ethnography, discussion groups, digital diaries, in-depth interviews, or a new exciting methodology we’re experimenting with, you’ll be at the forefront of driving qualitative excellence across the business. Your influence extends beyond research design, guiding diverse international fieldwork across multiple projects. From inception to deliverable, you excel in crafting dynamic project deliverables that inspire and motivate clients. Your oversight includes innovation, training, execution, quality control measures across the discipline, profitability, and timings, and fostering strong client relationships. You are essentially our ‘go-to’ for all things social science.
The day-to-day
- Oversee all qualitative work
- Design and implement innovative methodologies
- Develop and train best practices for qualitative research
- Create powerful stories about human behaviour and culture
- Enhance the Social Science department’s profile
- Develop thought leadership around Social Sciences
- Create new Social Science Membership solutions (subcultures, vox-pops)
- Build and optimise supplier relationships and tools
- Support on relevant pitches and project design
- Report at Senior Analyst team meetings, handling budgets and reporting
About you
This hybrid role requires a broad range of skills beyond traditional research. As well as being highly competent with qualitative research, you’ll need to be a strong writer, communicator, organiser and lateral thinker – but above all, you will be relentlessly curious about what people think, how they feel and why they do what they do. Your leadership qualities shine through your extensive experience in qualitative research methods, where you’ve led countless qualitative studies end-to-end but also mastered the art of storytelling from research findings. Your collaborative spirit is evident in your ability to work seamlessly with partners inside and outside the practice, ensuring a team-wide approach to project execution. A proven track record in research design showcases your creative problem-solving skills. Your knack for developing innovative solutions to client challenges and consistently winning proposals underscores your strategic mindset and ability to see the bigger purpose of your work. Your exceptional people skills, cultural sensitivity, and clarity of thought contribute to a positive work environment. As Canvas8 establishes and grows this department, your proactive and self-motivated nature will be pivotal in shaping its success.
Requirements
- 7-9 years of experience in qualitative research and analysis
- Proven track record leading innovative mixed-method qual research
- Proven commercial consulting experience
- Excellent budget, time and project management skills
- Previous managerial and leadership experience
- Proficient in supporting pitches, project design
- Exceptional writing, storytelling and communication skills
- Knowledge of brand, product design, innovation, UX and comms
- Curious, collaborative, and tenacious
- Excellent decision-making skills
- Adept at resolving challenges and being quick at finding smart solutions
Benefits
- Hybrid working with flexible start times
- 29 days paid holiday (including bank hols)
- Interest-free ‘Life Unlock Loan’ for lump sum payments (rental deposits, sponsorship etc)
- A personalised career development plan
- Access to physical and mental well-being support, including two ‘Mental Wealth’ days
- Pension, life insurance, cashback private health plan, and cycle scheme
- Summer Fridays, seasonal benefits, and lots of staff socials
- A friendly and welcoming team (pooches included)
Associate Director of Social Science in London employer: Canvas8
Contact Detail:
Canvas8 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director of Social Science in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create a portfolio or blog where you share insights about human behaviour and culture. This not only showcases your knowledge but also demonstrates your passion for the field, making you stand out to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their approach to qualitative research and think of ways you can contribute. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their goals – it’ll show you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. So, get that application in and let’s make some magic happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director of Social Science in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for social science shine through in your application. We want to see how your curiosity about human behaviour and culture aligns with our mission at Canvas8.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in qualitative research. We’re looking for someone who can lead innovative projects, so showcase your past successes and methodologies that resonate with our work.
Craft a Compelling Narrative: Your writing skills are crucial! Use storytelling to convey your journey in social science. We love a good narrative that connects your experiences to the role of Associate Director.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into our hiring process smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canvas8
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of qualitative research methods, especially ethnography and digital anthropology. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects and how they can be used to uncover consumer behaviour insights.
✨Showcase Your Storytelling Skills
Since storytelling is key in this role, prepare examples of how you've turned research findings into compelling narratives. Think about how you can illustrate the 'why' behind behaviours and make it relatable for brands.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Highlight your managerial experience and how you've led teams through complex projects. Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to achieve success.
✨Be Curious and Collaborative
Exhibit your curiosity about human behaviour and culture during the interview. Ask insightful questions about Canvas8's approach and show how you can contribute to a collaborative environment that fosters innovation.
