Associate Director | Qualitative | Brands Division | NYC, US

Savanta•New York, NY

18d•$100,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Savanta is seeking an experienced qualitative researcher to join their Brands Division in New York City as an Associate Director. This is a hands-on senior delivery role focused on leading high-quality custom research end-to-end and contributing to the growth of the US Qual team. Savanta is a leading data, market research, and advisory company that assists major brands in making faster, better decisions. With over 500 employees globally, Savanta combines deep research expertise, proprietary technology, and high-impact consulting to provide clients with a comprehensive understanding of their markets, customers, and competitors. In this role, you will lead, implement, and deliver strategic research programs using various methodologies, providing insightful recommendations to high-profile clients. The position is primarily focused on qualitative research within the US Brands Division, collaborating closely with the Global Brands Qual team in London. You will manage a diverse range of qualitative projects across sectors such as retail, financial services, B2B, beauty, and healthcare, employing methods like IDIs, focus groups, online communities, digital ethnography, and client workshops. Key responsibilities include ensuring high-quality custom research delivery through strong project management, effective delegation, and clear client communication, with a focus on swift issue resolution and commercial viability. You will also be responsible for improving team efficiency, quality, and profitability by promoting a tech-first mindset and championing tools, automation, and AI, including platforms like CoLoop. Additionally, you will support the development of junior team members through supervision and guidance, aiming to build a high-performing, tech-forward Qual team. The role is based in the NYC office, with an expectation of 1-3 days onsite per week.

Requirements

Experienced research professional with a strong agency background.
Strong qualitative research experience, ideally gained at a similar-sized or larger market research agency, likely at Senior Manager level or above.
Experience in core qualitative methods, including IDIs, focus groups and online communities.
Experience leading complex or international market research projects.
Experience designing research approaches and materials tailored to client needs.
A human-centric approach to qualitative methods and reporting, with excellent judgement for what is novel, insightful and genuinely valuable to clients.
Ability to turn findings into clear, actionable insight and strategic recommendations.
Experience working across B2C and B2B research, ideally in Brands-relevant sectors such as retail, FMCG, financial services, food and drink, or similar.
Experience managing client relationships and communicating with stakeholders at all levels.
Experience developing proposals and innovative solutions to client briefs.
Experience managing or mentoring junior researchers, or clear interest in developing this skill.
A tech-first mindset and openness to AI-enabled research tools.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with platforms such as CoLoop is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Leading, implementing, and delivering first-class strategic research programs across a range of methodologies.
Delivering insightful recommendations that help drive value within high-profile clients.
Leading a wide range of qualitative projects across sectors including retail, financial services, B2B, beauty and elements of healthcare.
Using methods such as IDIs, focus groups, online communities, digital ethnography and client workshops.
Delivering high-quality custom research through strong project management, effective delegation and clear client communication.
Ensuring issues are resolved quickly and delivery remains commercially sound.
Improving team efficiency, quality and profitability.
Bringing a genuine tech-first mindset and championing tools, automation and AI, including platforms such as CoLoop.
Supporting the progression of junior team members, supervising their work and helping build a high-performing, tech-forward Qual team.
Contributing to proposals, business development and the future direction of the team.