Associate Director, Insights - Qualitative

About us 

We turn customer challenges into growth opportunities.

Material is a global strategy partner to the world’s most recognizable brands and innovative companies. Our people around the globe thrive by helping organizations design and deliver rewarding customer experiences.

We use deep human insights, design innovation and data to create experiences powered by modern technology. Our approaches speed engagement and growth for the companies we work with and transform relationships between businesses and the people they serve

About the Associate Director, Insights role

An Associate Director, Insights is someone who dreams big, values collaboration and is committed to turning customer challenges into growth opportunities.

The Associate Director, Insights will be managing and, in some cases, leading 3-5 long-term communities/accounts at a time. Act as a thought partner to clients, educating them about every step of the process, framing insights for actionable recommendations, while developing trust and building lasting relationships.

As an Associate Director, Insights you will

• Specific delivery-oriented responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing communities end-to-end, developing and reviewing nearly client ready community activity and discussion guides, costing projects, online and face to face moderation, managing internal project members, notetaking, developing nearly client ready reports/deliverables and overall account management (e.g., being a thought partner to clients, connecting dots, pushing thinking, scoping).

• This also includes working with and collaborating with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Qualitative Operations, India Cohort) in support of executing the highest quality work.

• Translating insights data into learnings, telling visual stories through data and comprehensive narratives that frame impactful and strategic recommendations. This process to be overseen in partnership with a Senior Project Lead/Senior Team member.

• Responsible for establishing, supporting, and building thriving relationships with junior to mid-level Insights and Marketing client Stakeholders.

• You will be mentored by senior leadership and receive on-the-job formal training through Material.

• Mentoring, coaching, and delegating appropriate work to Associates and Sr. Associates (US and India), sharing responsibility for their growth and development.

About you

• We are open to alternative modes of education and experience that qualify candidates for the role.

• Many successful candidates have Bachelors degrees and/or studies in a social science, communications, or business related field and we welcome different backgrounds of study. Masters degrees are a plus.

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in market research, preferably with 2+ years of community experience, with a proven track record of managing multiple end-to-end research projects.

• Strong understanding of qualitative methodologies, with a focus on communities. Understanding of quantitative research and experience with face to face moderation is a plus.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex insights to diverse audiences.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and manage relationships with external vendors.

• Critical thinking, strategic thinking, project management and problem identification oriented around solutions and POV. Ability to learn and adapt to cutting edge technologies to drive efficiently. And leading through practice of skills established in the Associate/Sr. Associate role (or other relevant career experience).

• Proficiency in market research software and tools and Microsoft/Google Suites. Experience with the platforms icanmakeitbetter (ICMIB) and Recollective is a plus.

• Demonstrated curiosity, willingness to learn (learning mindset), openness to sharing, receiving, asking for, and applying feedback.

• Adaptability to new methodologies and technologies in the market

Why work for Material? 

In addition to fulfilling, high-impact work, company culture and benefits are integral to determining if a job is a right fit for you. Here’s a bit about who we are and highlights around what we offer. 

Who We Are & What We Care About 

• Material is a global company and we work with best-of-class brands worldwide.  We also create and launch new brands and products, putting innovation and value creation at the center of our practice. Our clients are in the top of their class, across industry sectors from technology to retail, transportation, finance and healthcare. 

• Material employees join a peer group of exceptionally talented colleagues across the company, the country, and even the world. We develop capabilities, craft and leading-edge market offerings across seven global practices including strategy and insights, design, data & analytics, technology and tracking. Our engagement management team makes it all hum for clients.  

• We prize inclusion and interconnectedness. We amplify our impact through the people, perspectives, and expertise we engage in our work. Our commitment to deep human understanding combined with a science & systems approach uniquely equips us to bring a rich frame of reference to our work. 

• A community focused on learning and making an impact. Material is an outcomes focused company. We create experiences that matter, create new value and make a difference in people's lives.  
   

What We Offer 

In addition to Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and FSA, Material offers: 

• A work environment that works best for you. Whether that’s fully remote, in one of our offices, or hybrid. 

• Flexible & synchronous time off. We trust our colleagues to take responsibility for and manage their workloads. That’s why we offer Flexible Time Off along with synchronous companywide closures and 11 company holidays.   

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Every parent deserves to spend the first few months of their new child’s life with them. 

• Help planning for your future. We offer 401K match, as well as periodic financial wellness and planning sessions throughout the year.  

Pay Range: $70,000.00 to 88,000.00 per year

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Material. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

Privacy Statement

Material is committed to protecting privacy in our recruiting processes for all candidates. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. California-resident applicants should also refer to our California-resident Candidate Privacy Statement.

If you need support with a privacy-related matter, please send an email to: privacyrequests@materialplus.io