At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and execute research projects to drive data-driven strategies.
- Company: Join a global company focused on innovation and employee well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, unlimited annual leave, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge data tools and methodologies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with creative collaboration.
- Qualifications: 8+ years of research experience with strong quantitative skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 56000 £ per year.
Research Director
Client Side | Strategic Insights & Research
Hybrid – Central London
Unlimited Annual Leave
A globally recognised business is looking for a Research Director to join its growing in-house strategy and insights function. This is a high impact role focused on helping shape the organisation’s research capability, insight frameworks, and strategic decision making through strong, commercially focused execution.
Working within a collaborative and forward thinking team, you’ll lead and deliver complex research programmes that support business performance, audience understanding, and portfolio wide strategic planning across a large network of brands and events.
The Opportunity
You’ll take ownership of key insight programmes from end to end, from research design and stakeholder management through to delivery, synthesis, storytelling, and implementation.
A major focus of the role will be managing and evolving large scale tracking and event insight programmes across a portfolio of 40+ events, ensuring outputs remain commercially valuable, operationally effective, and strategically aligned across the wider business.
The role combines:
- Strategic research leadership
- Hands on project delivery and execution
- Stakeholder management
- Agency management
- Team leadership
You’ll manage and mentor a direct report while partnering closely with stakeholders across multiple teams and markets.
Success in this role will require someone who is highly organised, detail oriented, commercially minded, and able to make smart decisions around prioritisation, resource allocation, and when to focus on macro-level trends versus individual event performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead quantitative and mixed methodology research projects from briefing through to delivery and implementation
- Oversee large-scale tracking programmes, post event research initiatives, and portfolio wide benchmarking projects
- Manage multiple concurrent project streams while maintaining high standards of execution and attention to detail
- Translate complex datasets into clear, commercially actionable recommendations
- Consolidate multiple data sources into cohesive insight frameworks that support strategic planning
- Partner with external research agencies to ensure high quality delivery, consistency, and efficiency across programmes
- Drive continuous improvement of survey design and reporting frameworks to ensure comparability and alignment across global teams
- Support the evolution of audience measurement, social listening, and performance tracking capabilities
- Develop reporting approaches that help identify portfolio wide trends, opportunities, and strategic priorities
- Partner closely with stakeholders across the business, presenting findings clearly and confidently
- Manage and mentor a direct report, providing guidance, structure, and development support
- Act as a proactive research and insights partner to the wider business, identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation
What We’re Looking For
- Strong experience within research and insights, ideally in media, entertainment, consumer, agency, or related sectors
- Excellent quantitative research foundations, particularly across tracking studies, ad hoc research, and large scale insight programmes
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast paced environment
- Strong executional capability with excellent organisation, prioritisation, and attention to detail
- Comfortable being hands on across project delivery while maintaining a strategic commercial perspective
- Experience managing external research agencies and multiple stakeholder groups
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to navigate complexity and competing priorities
- Experience synthesising multiple data sources into clear strategic narratives
- Experience managing or mentoring junior team members
- Exposure to methodologies and tools such as MaxDiff, conjoint, qualitative research, social listening, Tableau, or meta analysis would be advantageous, but are not essential
- Familiarity with social listening platforms such as Brandwatch, Sprinklr, or Talkwalker is beneficial
- Curious, proactive, adaptable, and solutions oriented mindset
Please note: deep expertise in methodologies such as MaxDiff and conjoint is not essential. The priority is finding someone with strong research fundamentals, excellent delivery capability, and the ability to manage complex, multi-stream insight programmes effectively.
Why Join?
- Opportunity to shape and evolve strategic insight programmes within a globally recognised business
- High impact role with meaningful influence on business decision making and research strategy
- Collaborative, supportive, and people-focused culture
- Hybrid working — 3 days per week in a fantastic Central London office
- Strong progression potential within a growing function
- Unlimited annual leave and competitive benefits package
If you enjoy turning complex data into meaningful business strategy and want to work in an environment where insights genuinely drive decision making, we’d love to hear from you, please apply now or send your CV to jordan@echo-talent.com
Research Director - Client Side in City of London employer: Echo Talent
Echo Talent is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, encouraging innovation and collaboration among its team members. With flexible hybrid working options across major UK cities, employees benefit from a healthy work-life balance while having access to continuous professional development opportunities. Joining Echo Talent means being part of a forward-thinking organisation that values insights and empowers its employees to make impactful contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Director - Client Side in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the research and insights field. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends. This can help you gain insights into what companies like us are looking for in candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest data visualisation tools and social media listening platforms. Being proficient in tools like Tableau or Brandwatch can set you apart from other candidates. Consider taking online courses or certifications to boost your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making in previous roles. Think about projects where your insights led to measurable outcomes, as this will demonstrate your ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your stakeholder management skills by preparing to discuss how you've influenced senior-level decisions in the past. Highlight your experience in presenting findings clearly and persuasively, as this is crucial for a role like the Research Director at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Director - Client Side in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in research and insights, particularly focusing on quantitative and mixed-methods research. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for data-driven decision-making and how your background aligns with the role. Mention your experience with methodologies like MaxDiff and Conjoint, and how you can contribute to the company's goals.
Showcase Your Skills:Highlight your proficiency in data visualisation tools and social media listening platforms. Provide examples of how you've used these tools to extract insights and drive business decisions in previous roles.
Prepare for Interviews:Be ready to discuss your research projects in detail, including your approach to balancing hands-on analysis with vendor management. Prepare to present findings from past projects and how they influenced strategic decisions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Echo Talent
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Research Director, your analytical prowess is key. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to drive insights and decision-making in previous roles. Highlight your experience with methodologies like MaxDiff and Conjoint.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management
This role requires strong stakeholder management skills. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders with your research findings. Emphasise your ability to present complex data in a clear and persuasive manner.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Social Media Tools
Since the role involves social media listening strategies, brush up on tools like Brandwatch or Sprinklr. Be ready to discuss how you've used these platforms to extract actionable insights and track consumer sentiment.
✨Emphasise Adaptability
The fast-paced environment means priorities can shift quickly. Share examples of how you've adapted to changing circumstances in your previous roles, showcasing your agility and problem-solving skills.
