Insights Manager

About Our Insight Team

Our Insight team sits embedded into the broader Planning & Strategy discipline. We help clients understand their markets, identify competitive opportunities, and unlock growth through research-driven knowledge. We're methodology-agnostic problem-solvers who combine quantitative rigor with qualitative depth. Beyond client projects, we publish thought leadership that examines representation, identity, and advertising's role in systemic change—challenging our industry to do better.

About the Role

We're seeking an Insight Manager to lead our brand tracking and ad-hoc research portfolio. This is an individual contributor role where you'll own projects end-to-end—from proposal design through to client presentation—while building strong client relationships and delivering insights that drive real business impact.

Core Responsibilities

• Brand Tracking & Campaign Research (Primary Focus)
  • Design and deliver brand tracking studies, campaign evaluation research, and brand health monitoring programs
  • Manage fieldwork, data analysis, and reporting for both continuous and bespoke brand research projects
  • Translate tracking data into compelling narratives that help clients optimize communications and refine strategy
  • Identify emerging trends within tracking data and recommend actionable next steps
• Client Leadership & Relationship Management
  • Own direct client communication and develop long-term relationships with key contacts
  • Brief clients on research findings; present insights with confidence, clarity, and perspective
  • Work with the Insight Director on proposal development and pitch support
  • Manage client expectations, budgets, and timelines; ensure projects deliver commercial value
• Research Design & Delivery
  • Write questionnaires, discussion guides, and detailed research proposals aligned to client briefs
  • Manage end-to-end quantitative research workflows (sampling, fieldwork, data processing, analysis)
  • Conduct qualitative research where appropriate—focus groups, interviews, workshops
  • Develop analysis using statistical software (e.g., Q, SPSS, Qualtrics)
  • Create insightful, visually engaging reports and presentations that go "beyond the bar chart"
• Strategic Contribution
  • Identify and develop thought‑leadership research to build market reputation
  • Introduce new research methodologies and demonstrate how our tools add value to media planning
  • Support agency new business pitches with research thinking
  • Run internal workshops to enrich agency output and foster data‑informed culture
  • Deputize for the Insight Director when needed

The Person We're Looking For

Essential Experience & Skills

• Quantitative research experience ideally from a media agency, market research firm, or client-side research role
• Hands‑on experience managing and running continuous market research tracking studies, ensuring accurate project management and reporting.
• Proven track record managing clients and delivering to commercial targets
• Exceptional time and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing tasks and seamlessly oversee research projects from inception to completion
• Strong brand and communications knowledge or demonstrable interest (e.g., you follow advertising, know what campaigns excite you, understand brand positioning)
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization software
• Excellent proposal writing and questionnaire design skills
• Ability to work autonomously while knowing when to elevate; confident in your own decision‑making
• Curiosity and analytical rigor—you dig into the why behind metrics, not just reporting shifts
• Strong storytelling ability; you can find the narrative in complex data
• Attention to detail; you take pride in analytical accuracy

Mindset & Characteristics

• Consultancy‑oriented; you think in terms of client challenges and business solutions
• Naturally curious; you question assumptions and challenge conventional thinking
• Independent worker who manages multiple projects simultaneously
• Energetic ambassador for our team; keen to contribute to agency culture
• You have a point of view and aren't afraid to express it—even if it's contrarian
• Growth mindset; keen to develop your reputation as a research thought leader

Valued Experiences & Skills (Nice‑to‑Have)

• Hands‑on qualitative research experience (designing, moderating, analyzing)
• Background in brand planning, strategic communications, or advertising

Practical Details

• Based in London but occasional UK travel for client meetings and fieldwork
• Willingness to attend industry conferences and events

Sphere is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications regardless of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation, and any other protected status as required by applicable law.