Director, NA Innovation Sales

NielsenIQ • Chicago, IL

4d • Remote

About The Position

The Director, Innovation Practice Sales is responsible for driving revenue growth for NielsenIQ’s Innovation practice in North America. This role focuses exclusively on our suite of Innovation solutions, partnering with CPG clients to help them optimize product development, concept validation, and go-to-market strategies. The seller will own the end-to-end sales process for Innovation offerings, including prospecting, value creation, negotiating, and closing deals. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of client business challenges and the ability to position NIQ’s Innovation solutions as strategic drivers of growth. Own Innovation revenue target/quota for their assigned client portfolio. Develop and execute account-level strategies focused on retention and growth within the Innovation practice. Identify and capitalize on new Innovation sales opportunities through strategic prospecting and relationship building. Clearly articulate the Innovation value proposition, aligning solutions to client KPIs and business challenges. Navigate objections and resistance effectively, demonstrating consultative selling skills. Maintain a deep understanding of client business strategies and market dynamics to inform sales approach. Create and activate annual client strategies and account plans, including financial forecasting and pipeline management. Manage an active sales pipeline with accurate and timely forecasting. Lead proposal development for Innovation engagements, including first-time service use, complex study designs, and RFP responses. Collaborate internally with Product Leadership, Operations, and Customer Success to ensure feasibility and successful delivery. Drive C-suite engagement and thought leadership within the Innovation space. Ensure adherence to internal processes, including CRM usage and operational guidelines. Maintain strong product knowledge through ongoing learning and development. Balance short-term revenue generation with long-term client relationship building. Partner with NIQ Account Leads on joint-selling opportunities and integrated strategies.

Requirements

• 7-10 years of research, consulting, or selling experience with a proven track record of developing new business and revenue streams.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with Innovation-focused market research solutions (concept testing, product development, forecasting, etc.).
• Strong strategic prospecting and new business development skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with creative thinking and consultative approach.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective internal and external relationships.
• Proficiency in CRM tools for pipeline management and forecasting.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Strong analytical aptitude and ability to translate client needs into actionable solutions.

Nice To Haves

• MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own Innovation revenue target/quota for their assigned client portfolio.
• Develop and execute account-level strategies focused on retention and growth within the Innovation practice.
• Identify and capitalize on new Innovation sales opportunities through strategic prospecting and relationship building.
• Clearly articulate the Innovation value proposition, aligning solutions to client KPIs and business challenges.
• Navigate objections and resistance effectively, demonstrating consultative selling skills.
• Maintain a deep understanding of client business strategies and market dynamics to inform sales approach.
• Create and activate annual client strategies and account plans, including financial forecasting and pipeline management.
• Manage an active sales pipeline with accurate and timely forecasting.
• Lead proposal development for Innovation engagements, including first-time service use, complex study designs, and RFP responses.
• Collaborate internally with Product Leadership, Operations, and Customer Success to ensure feasibility and successful delivery.
• Drive C-suite engagement and thought leadership within the Innovation space.
• Ensure adherence to internal processes, including CRM usage and operational guidelines.
• Maintain strong product knowledge through ongoing learning and development.
• Balance short-term revenue generation with long-term client relationship building.
• Partner with NIQ Account Leads on joint-selling opportunities and integrated strategies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental, and vision).
• Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account (including company contributions).
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions.
• Disability insurance.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Discretionary paid time off program and 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)
• industry-leading parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director