At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct in-depth research and analysis to drive strategic insights for clients in Retail, Sport & Hospitality.
- Company: Global professional services organisation with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Flexible working, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team in a dynamic, insight-led environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping client strategies and influencing market trends.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in market research with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Research Manager – Client Side
- Location: London or various offices in major UK cities
- Flexible working – no office mandate
- Excellent benefits
- Work with brands within Retail, Sport & Hospitality
About the role
A global professional services organisation is seeking a Research Manager to deliver high-quality, commercially focused research and insight across the Retail, Sport & Hospitality sectors.
This newly created position sits within a growing Research & Intelligence function, focused on helping client teams understand their markets, spot growth opportunities, and shape strategic engagement plans. The role is primarily desk-based (secondary research), offering the chance to influence commercial decisions, market positioning, and client development at both sector and account level.
The successful candidate will act as a trusted research and insight partner, combining analytical rigour, commercial understanding, and creative thinking to produce actionable intelligence that supports business strategy and client relationships.
Key responsibilities
- Conduct in-depth desk research and analysis on clients, competitors, and market trends across Retail, Sport & Hospitality.
- Produce clear, strategic outputs - such as SWOT or PESTEL analyses - to inform opportunity assessments and business planning.
- Provide targeted insights to support client pitches, account planning, and go-to-market activity.
- Identify and analyse opportunities by assessing client strategies (e.g. M&A, international expansion, diversification) and mapping where the organisation’s expertise can add value.
- Deliver strategic and competitor intelligence, including analysis of account data and benchmarking of competitor service offerings.
- Track and interpret emerging trends - for example, the rise of Agentic AI and its potential impact on consumer engagement, driving opportunities in retail, sport, and hospitality.
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders to develop thought leadership and market commentary on sector themes, sometimes incorporating client interviews or partner input.
- Synthesize complex data and information into clear, commercially relevant insight for senior audiences.
- Support innovation in research delivery, exploring new tools, data sources, and the use of AI to enhance insight generation.
What we’re looking for
The organisation is open to candidates from market research, market intelligence, consulting, or professional services backgrounds who bring strong analytical and commercial skills.
Essential experience
- Around 5+ years’ experience delivering market, client, or competitor research within Retail, FMCG, or Sport sectors.
- Proven ability to conduct desk/secondary research and interpret data from multiple information sources.
- Strong quantitative or mixed-methods research grounding.
- Skilled in synthesising complex information into actionable insight.
- Comfortable managing multiple stakeholders and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Confident communicator, able to present findings clearly and persuasively.
- Able to work autonomously while collaborating effectively across teams.
Desirable
- Experience in a professional services, consulting, or corporate strategy environment.
- Experience producing structured strategic analyses (e.g. SWOT, PESTEL) and interpreting financial and corporate information such as annual reports.
- Strong presentation and storytelling skills; ability to influence through insight.
- Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, and ideally Power BI or other visualisation tools.
The opportunity
This is an exciting chance to join a high-performing, insight-led team in a global professional services environment, where your research will directly inform client strategy, sector development, and business growth. You’ll work alongside engaged senior stakeholders in a collaborative, forward-thinking culture that values curiosity, initiative, and impact.
Research Manager - Clientside in Woking employer: Echo Talent
Join a dynamic global professional services organisation as a Research Manager, where you'll enjoy flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits while contributing to impactful research in the Retail, Sport, and Hospitality sectors. Our collaborative culture fosters employee growth and innovation, allowing you to influence strategic decisions and develop your skills alongside engaged senior stakeholders in major UK cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Manager - Clientside in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your skills can help them tackle challenges in Retail, Sport, and Hospitality.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Bring examples of your past research projects to interviews, especially those that led to actionable insights. This will demonstrate your ability to deliver value right from the start.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Manager - Clientside in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Research Manager role. Highlight your analytical skills and any relevant experience in Retail, Sport, or Hospitality sectors to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about research and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this role. Don’t forget to mention any specific projects or insights you've delivered in the past.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of desk research and data interpretation, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully conducted similar research in your previous roles. We love seeing how you’ve turned complex data into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Echo Talent
✨Know Your Research
Before the interview, dive deep into the Retail, Sport, and Hospitality sectors. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and recent developments. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Master the Art of Analysis
Be prepared to discuss your experience with SWOT and PESTEL analyses. Think of specific examples where you've used these tools to influence business decisions. Practising how to articulate your thought process will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Research Manager, you'll need to present findings clearly. Prepare a brief presentation or summary of a past project that highlights your ability to synthesise complex data into actionable insights. This will demonstrate your storytelling skills and confidence.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've collaborated with senior stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share examples of how you managed multiple priorities and communicated effectively. This will highlight your ability to work autonomously while still being a team player.
