Associate Director | Qualitative | Brands Divisions | NYC, US

Savanta•New York, NY

19d•$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. The role involves leading and implementing strategic research programs using a variety of qualitative methodologies, providing insightful recommendations to high-profile clients. The position is primarily focused on qualitative research and works closely with the Global Brands Qual team in London. Responsibilities include managing a range of qualitative projects across sectors like retail, financial services, B2B, beauty, and healthcare, utilizing methods such as IDIs, focus groups, online communities, digital ethnography, and client workshops. The role requires strong project management, effective delegation, and clear client communication to ensure timely and commercially sound delivery. There is a significant responsibility for delivering high-quality custom research, managing day-to-day activities, and keeping clients informed. The Associate Director will also focus on improving team efficiency, quality, and profitability by championing a tech-first mindset, including tools, automation, and AI platforms like CoLoop. Additionally, the role involves supporting and supervising junior team members to build a high-performing, tech-forward Qual team. The position 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.
Core qualitative methods, including IDIs, focus groups and online communities.
Leading complex or international market research projects.
A human-centric approach to qualitative methods and reporting, with excellent judgement for what is novel, insightful and genuinely valuable to clients.
Working across B2C and B2B research, ideally in Brands-relevant sectors such as retail, FMCG, financial services, food and drink, or similar.
A tech-first mindset and openness to AI-enabled research tools is important.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with platforms such as CoLoop is a plus but not required.
Clear interest in developing the skill of managing or mentoring junior researchers.

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 by bringing a genuine tech-first mindset and championing tools, automation and AI.
Supporting the progression of junior team members, supervising their work and helping build a high-performing, tech-forward Qual team.
Shaping client relationships, ensuring exceptional project delivery, and nurturing the development of your team.
Designing research approaches and materials tailored to client needs.
Turning findings into clear, actionable insight and strategic recommendations.
Managing client relationships and communicating with stakeholders at all levels.
Developing proposals and innovative solutions to client briefs.
Managing or mentoring junior researchers.