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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research projects and engage with clients to deliver actionable insights.
- Company: Dynamic research agency with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of research while working with a supportive and ambitious team.
- Qualifications: Experience in quantitative research and strong client management skills.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a chance to influence strategic decisions.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds – Hybrid. 2-3 days in office.
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: £40k-£50k
We’re a full‑service research agency, established in 2007. We’ve grown from a boutique qualitative agency to an integrated research agency offering a wide range of qual & quant innovative methodologies and products. We now have a team of 15+ researchers across Dublin & Leeds. Spark is part of the Audience Collective, a group of specialist agencies connected by a shared belief that different perspectives create better outcomes.
About the Role
We’re 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’ll be hands‑on with projects, confident in front of clients, and ready to take ownership of proposals, debriefs, and mentoring moments. You’ll 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.
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’re 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 quant 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 / 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: Ponderosa Agency Limited
Contact Detail:
Ponderosa Agency Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Research Director in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to present yourself, make sure you can confidently showcase your skills and experiences. Tailor your message to highlight how you can add value to the team at Spark.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from asking questions during interviews. It shows you're engaged and genuinely interested in the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to assess if the company culture fits you.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our awesome team at Spark.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Research Director in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your solid experience in agency-side quantitative research. We want to see your strong portfolio of projects and client experiences that demonstrate your hands-on project management skills.
Craft Compelling Proposals: Your proposal writing is key! Make it compelling by showcasing your strategic thinking and methodological expertise. Remember, we love fresh ideas, so don’t hold back on bringing your unique perspective to the table.
Be Confident and Clear: In your application, let your confident communication style shine through. Whether it's your writing or how you present your ideas, clarity is crucial. We’re looking for someone who can adapt their style to suit different audiences, so show us you can do just that!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ponderosa Agency Limited
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into your past research projects. Be ready to discuss specific methodologies you've used, the insights gained, and how they impacted clients. This will show your expertise and confidence in quantitative research.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
Practice translating complex data into engaging narratives. During the interview, demonstrate how you can craft compelling debriefs that not only present findings but also spark action. This skill is crucial for impressing clients and showcasing your strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Client Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships with clients in the past. Highlight instances where you acted as a trusted advisor and how you adapted your communication style to suit different audiences. This will illustrate your ability to manage client relationships effectively.
✨Be Ready to Pitch
Since pitching is a key part of the role, come prepared with ideas on how you would approach a potential project. Think about how you would structure a proposal and present it. This will demonstrate your commercial awareness and persuasive writing skills, which are essential for success in this position.
