At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead market research to shape Carwow's understanding of consumer trends in the automotive industry.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Carwow, a leader in automotive insights.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holiday, and wellness support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture that values unique perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing brand strategy with consumer insights.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in market research with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is a high-impact individual contributor role sitting at the intersection of data, brand, and the automotive industry. You'll own Carwow's market intelligence function, building the research capability, frameworks, and external voice that keep the business sharp about where consumers, competitors, and the automotive industry are heading. Reporting directly to the Brand & Customer Director, you'll work closely with Marketing, Product and Commercial teams, and serve as the company's go‑to expert on automotive consumer trends and customer behaviour.
Why This Role Matters
- Research & Insight
- Own Carwow's primary and secondary research agenda, from brand tracking and consumer sentiment to category trends and competitive intelligence.
- Develop and maintain a deep understanding of our customers (both consumers and partners), their behaviours, motivations, and needs, and use these insights to improve our experience with the product.
- Commission and manage external research suppliers, including YouGov, GfK, and specialist automotive panels, ensuring quality, rigour, and value.
- Design and run bespoke quantitative and qualitative research projects to answer strategic business questions including surveys, interviews, focus groups, usability testing, and other appropriate methodologies to address research questions.
- Synthesise internal data (marketplace signals, user behaviour, transactional trends) with external research into coherent, actionable narratives.
- Industry Voice & External Profile
- Position Carwow as the automotive industry's most trusted source of consumer insight — through press, trade media, conferences, and partnerships.
- Draft and publish regular insight reports, data releases, and thought leadership pieces for external audiences.
- Build relationships with automotive journalists, industry analysts, and trade bodies to maximise reach and credibility of Carwow's data.
- Act as an on‑record spokesperson for Carwow insight where appropriate.
- Stakeholder & Strategic Influence
- Serve as the internal expert on consumer and market dynamics — regularly briefing senior leadership, Commercial, and Product teams.
- Partner with the Brand team to ground campaigns and messaging in real consumer understanding.
- Influence product and commercial strategy with market‑sizing, opportunity analysis, and customer segmentation work.
- Build a small, scalable research function over time, including processes, tooling, and potential future hires.
What We're Looking For
- Experience
- 8+ years in market research, consumer insights, or a closely related field — ideally with exposure to both agency and in‑house environments.
- Demonstrable experience translating complex data into clear, compelling narratives for non‑research audiences.
- Track record of building or owning a brand tracking programme.
- Experience commissioning and managing external research suppliers.
- Familiarity with the UK automotive industry is a strong plus — though a keen sense of curiosity about it is non‑negotiable.
- Skills & Attributes
- Strong analytical mind. You're comfortable with data and know how to interrogate it, not just report it.
- Excellent communicator, able to write an insight report, present at events or deliver an executive briefing.
- Commercially minded, connecting research to business outcomes, not just academic interest.
- Proactive and autonomous — you spot gaps, propose solutions, and drive things forward without waiting to be asked.
- Credible external presence, you’ll be comfortable representing Carwow at industry events and in media.
- Collaborative; able to influence without authority and work well across Marketing, Product, and Commercial.
What Success Looks Like
- Senior leadership has a clear, regular view of consumer trends and competitive dynamics in the automotive market.
- Carwow's brand tracker is robust, up to date, and actively used in brand strategy decisions.
- Carwow's insight output generates meaningful press coverage and industry engagement.
- The research function operates with strong supplier relationships, efficient processes, and clear ROI.
- You're known internally as the person who knows what consumers are thinking — and externally as Carwow's authoritative industry voice.
What’s In It For You
- Competitive compensation package
- 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing to 35 with length of service, plus extras for house moves, weddings and more!
- Employee‑friendly share options
- Pension scheme via Royal London — up to 5% company contribution
- Vitality private healthcare insurance
- Life Assurance — 4× annual salary
- Monthly coaching sessions with Spill — our mental wellbeing partner
- Inclusive parental, partner and shared parental leave, including up to 20 weeks’ full pay maternity and shared parental leave, and 8 weeks’ full partner pay, as well as fertility treatment and pregnancy loss policies
- Bubble childcare support and discounted nanny fees for little ones
- ‘Work from abroad for a month’ annual scheme
- Generous learning and development budget
- £500/€550 home office budget
Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture. We know that diverse teams are strong teams, so we welcome those with alternative identities, backgrounds and experiences to apply for this position. We make recruiting decisions based on experience, skills and potential, so all our applicants are treated fairly and equally.
Market Research & Insights Lead in London employer: Carwow Group
Carwow is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive compensation package alongside generous benefits such as 28 days of holiday, private healthcare, and a robust learning and development budget. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal environment for those passionate about market research and the automotive industry to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Market Research & Insights Lead in London
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Carwow Group and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Carwow Group are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Carwow Group on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Carwow Group. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Market Research & Insights Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Carwow Group. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Carwow Group:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Carwow Group’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carwow Group
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Carwow Group will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Carwow Group, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
