At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead customer insights to shape marketing and editorial strategies across iconic media brands.
- Company: Join Hearst UK, a leading premium publisher shaping culture with innovative media.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, exclusive perks, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the media landscape while collaborating with creative minds.
- Qualifications: Expertise in market research, data analysis, and storytelling required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are the UK's leading premium publisher, home to iconic and influential media brands including Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Country Living. At Hearst UK, we don't just create content — we shape culture. Our workplace is built on collaboration, creativity, and trust. We champion bold ideas, embrace innovation, and continually evolve to meet the moment — all while celebrating the legacy that's brought us here. We believe in each other's potential and push boundaries together to make a meaningful impact, both in the media landscape and in people's lives. We're proud of our heritage — but even more excited about making history.
Hearst UK operate a hybrid working model of four days per week in the office and one day working from home. Our office is based at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 4AJ, where teams collaborate in person and connect across brands and functions.
The Role… As the Customer Insight Director at Hearst UK, you will lead insight generation and delivery across marketing, editorial, product, strategy, partnerships, new business development, and commercial/advertising at Hearst. This is an independent, hands-on role, suited to someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and personally leading the design, execution and delivery of high-quality research using advanced methodologies. You will work closely with senior leaders and peers to shape decision-making and unlock growth opportunities across the Hearst portfolio of brands.
Main Duties…
- Independently manage in-house research projects end-to-end, from briefing and design, to execution, analysis, and debrief (surveys, communities, qual, UX), and augmenting in-house activities with external partners where necessary, to deadline and on budget.
- Integrate a broad set of data (behavioural analytics, first-party data, qualitative, trends, contextual data) into unified narratives and insights that inform marketing, editorial, product, partnership, and commercial/advertising decisions through evidence-based storytelling, with concise, actionable recommendations.
- Lead debriefs, readouts, and workshops with senior leaders and peers; codify best practices, templates, and playbooks for repeatable impact.
- Partner with peers across the Customer team to leverage other data sources and share knowledge for delivering holistic customer understanding and best-in-class insight.
- Establish and manage the ongoing insights delivery for our customer satisfaction programme across 15 brands.
- Contribute to the ongoing dissemination of insight to the wider organization through newsletters, knowledge sessions, surgeries, etc.
- Coach and develop junior team members to deliver high-quality, reproducible research and insight at pace.
What We Are Looking For…
- Core Technical Skills - Expert analytical thinker with strong curiosity; comfortable across qualitative and quantitative data - and any other types of data. Deep general market research experience with advanced methodology and project expertise (segmentation, market sizing, pricing, brand tracking, conjoint/MaxDiff, etc.), including research design (sampling frameworks, weighting), and analysis (factor analysis, cluster analysis, regression, etc.). Has practical experience of execution of these. Meticulous attention to detail; robust validation and triangulation across sources. Experience of working with survey platforms, including scripting and QA-ing quantitative studies and running qualitative research at scale. Experience of undertaking qualitative work, from moderation (IDIs, focus groups, online communities), to ethnographic and observational research and UX studies. Has practical experience of execution of these.
- Communication & Storytelling - Clear, influential communicator to executive and cross-functional teams. Storytelling that connects customer evidence to strategy, product, and partnership choices; strong visual presentation. Great at synthesizing complex information, gets to impact and action.
- Business & Strategic Acumen - Good understanding of growth levers for media companies. Problem-solver who prioritises initiatives with highest enterprise impact.
- People & Collaboration Skills - Builds trusted relationships with senior stakeholders; facilitates alignment and influences decision-making; acts as a trusted advisor. Collaborative, active listener; adapts approach to audience, scope, or new data.
- Personal Attributes - Persistent, open-minded, and committed to continuous learning; elevates team standards. Ethical steward of data and customer trust. Passionate, authentic, creative, and entrepreneurial.
Benefits… Your benefits at Hearst UK are more than just extras—they are tools to help you thrive in every part of life.
Customer Insights Director employer: Hearst UK
At Hearst UK, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers creativity and innovation. As a Features Editor for the Red brand in London, you will not only lead a talented editorial team but also have access to extensive professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that values your contributions. With competitive benefits and the chance to work at the heart of the media industry, Hearst UK is an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Insights Director
✨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 culture. Understand their brands and how they shape media. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've used data to drive decisions or influence strategy. Make sure your stories are concise and impactful, just like the insights you'd deliver as a Customer Insights Director.
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining the Hearst UK family.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Insights Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about shaping culture and making an impact in the media landscape.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in customer insights and research methodologies. We love seeing how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate a well-structured application. Keep your language clear and to the point, especially when discussing your achievements and how they relate to the role of Customer Insights Director.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Hearst UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hearst UK
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Customer Insights Director, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in both qualitative and quantitative data. Brush up on advanced methodologies like segmentation and regression analysis, and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects. This will show that you can roll up your sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of research.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
Your ability to connect customer evidence to strategic decisions is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've synthesised complex information into clear, actionable insights. Think about how you can visually present this information to make it engaging for senior leaders—practice your storytelling skills!
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
Networking can give you an edge. If possible, reach out to current or former employees at Hearst UK to gain insights into their culture and expectations. This will not only help you tailor your responses but also show your genuine interest in the company and its values.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss your collaborative experiences. Think of specific instances where you've influenced decision-making or facilitated alignment among stakeholders. Highlight your active listening skills and adaptability to different audiences.
