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.
- 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.
- Other info: Join a high-performing team in a dynamic, insight-led environment.
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 employer: Echo Talent
Contact Detail:
Echo Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Manager - Clientside
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that Research Manager role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your analytical skills and experience in market research. Share specific examples of how you've used insights to drive business decisions in the Retail, Sport, or Hospitality sectors.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every interaction is an opportunity! Whether it’s a coffee chat or a formal interview, tailor your conversation to reflect the company’s values and the specifics of the Research Manager role. Show them you understand their needs and how you can help.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Manager - Clientside
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Research Manager. Highlight your experience in market research, especially within Retail, Sport, and Hospitality. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
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 relevant projects or insights you've delivered in the past.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role requires strong analytical abilities, make sure to include examples of how you’ve used data to drive decisions or influence strategies. We love seeing how you can turn complex information into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Echo Talent
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the latest trends in Retail, Sport, and Hospitality. Familiarise yourself with key players, emerging technologies like Agentic AI, and recent market shifts. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful discussions.
✨Master the Art of Strategic Analysis
Brush up on your SWOT and PESTEL analysis skills. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these frameworks to real-world scenarios relevant to the company’s clients. Having examples ready will demonstrate your analytical prowess and strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Research Manager, clear communication is key. Practice presenting your findings in a concise and persuasive manner. You might even want to prepare a mini-presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your storytelling abilities during the interview.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Expect questions about managing multiple stakeholders and priorities. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated complex situations. Highlight your ability to collaborate while working autonomously, as this is crucial for the role.