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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research projects and deliver actionable insights for diverse clients.
- Company: Join SPARK, a dynamic research agency with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of research while mentoring others and impressing clients.
- Qualifications: Experience in quantitative research and strong client management skills.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values creativity and insight.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds Hybrid. 2-3 days in office.
Salary: £40k-£50k
SPARK is a full-service research agency, established in 2007. We have grown from a boutique qualitative agency to an integrated research agency offering a wide range of qualitative and quantitative innovative methodologies and products. We now have a team of 15+ researchers across Leeds.
About The Role
We are looking for a sharp, versatile Associate Director to play a key role in delivering high-impact research, impressing clients, and helping shape the future of our team. You will be hands-on with projects, confident in front of clients, and ready to take ownership of proposals, debriefs, and mentoring moments.
You will also be a key contributor to pitching new work - bringing fresh thinking, strategic insight, and presentation flair to help us win exciting new projects and partnerships. Based in the Leeds office, you will work closely with our sister agency, Ponderosa, and with agencies across the wider Audience Collective.
Key Responsibilities
- Research Delivery
- Lead the design and delivery of quantitative research projects for a range of clients and sectors.
- Ensure every project delivers clear, actionable insights with methodological integrity.
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders to shape project direction and elevate outputs.
- Client Engagement
- Build strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and day-to-day lead.
- Present findings with confidence and clarity, adapting style to suit different audiences.
- Spot opportunities to add value and contribute to account growth.
- Proposal Writing & Pitching
- Write compelling proposals that demonstrate strategic thinking and methodological expertise.
- Actively contribute to pitch teams, helping shape the narrative, research design, and presentation flow.
- Present pitch ideas to prospective clients with confidence, clarity, and enthusiasm.
- Collaborate with commercial leads to scope projects and refine positioning.
- Team Contribution
- Mentor junior researchers, offering guidance on research design, analysis, and storytelling.
- Share knowledge and lead internal sessions to upskill the team.
- Be a role model for collaboration, curiosity, and quality.
- Strategic Communication
- Craft engaging debriefs that go beyond data - telling stories that spark action.
- Translate complex findings into simple, powerful narratives.
- Contribute to the development of frameworks, templates, and best practices.
What We Are Looking For
- Essential Skills & Experience
- Solid experience in agency-side quantitative research, with a strong portfolio of projects and client experience.
- Hands-on project management and delivery experience in a range of quantitative methodologies tracking, U&A, segmentation, ad hoc, pricing, trade-off studies (conjoint / max diff).
- Proven ability to manage client relationships and deliver projects end-to-end.
- Confident communicator with excellent presentation and writing skills.
- Experience mentoring, coaching, or influencing junior team members.
- Commercial awareness and a knack for writing persuasive proposals and pitching ideas.
- Desirable Traits
- Outgoing, engaging and able to build strong working relationships.
- A self-starter who is naturally curious and always looking to learn.
- Collaborative, proactive, and comfortable juggling multiple projects.
- A strategic thinker with a creative edge and a love of storytelling and a passion for research.
What We Offer
- A supportive, ambitious team culture that values insight and imagination.
- Opportunities to grow into a Director-level role and shape client strategy.
- Competitive salary, flexible working, and ongoing development support.
- Hands-on working relationships with clients, personally delivering research that makes a commercial difference.
Associate Research Director in Leeds employer: Hamilton Watts Migration Services (now NEWLAND CHASE)
Contact Detail:
Hamilton Watts Migration Services (now NEWLAND CHASE) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Research Director in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research SPARK and its projects, values, and team culture. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Whether it's presenting your ideas or discussing your experience, being confident and clear is key. Use storytelling techniques to make your points resonate with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Research Director in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Research Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in quantitative research. We want to see your portfolio and how you've tackled different projects. Be specific about the methodologies you've used and the insights you've delivered!
Craft a Compelling Proposal: When writing your application, think of it as a mini proposal. Showcase your strategic thinking and methodological expertise. We love a good narrative, so make sure your application tells a story that captures our attention!
Be Yourself in Communication: We value confident communicators, so let your personality shine through in your writing. Whether it's your cover letter or your CV, adapt your style to reflect who you are while keeping it professional. We want to know the real you!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at SPARK!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hamilton Watts Migration Services (now NEWLAND CHASE)
✨Know Your Research Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on various quantitative research methodologies like tracking, segmentation, and conjoint analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your hands-on experience and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Client Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships with clients in previous roles. Think about specific instances where you acted as a trusted advisor or contributed to account growth, as this is crucial for the Associate Research Director role.
✨Craft Compelling Proposals
Practice writing persuasive proposals that demonstrate your strategic thinking. During the interview, be prepared to discuss your approach to proposal writing and how you ensure they align with client needs and project goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Mentoring Experience
Reflect on your experiences mentoring junior researchers. Be ready to share how you've guided them in research design and storytelling, as this will highlight your leadership potential and collaborative spirit, which are key traits for this position.
