Director of Market Research

ERM • Knoxville, TN

8d

About The Position

Lead with Insight. Shape the Future. Drive Purpose. Are you a visionary research leader who sees beyond the data to uncover the story that drives change? Do you believe that market intelligence can be a force for good—fueling innovation, environmental stewardship, and social impact? If you're ready to guide global organizations toward purpose-driven growth, this is your moment. Why This Role Matters As Director of Market Research, you’ll be at the helm of insight-driven transformation. Your work will empower some of the world’s most influential organizations to make smarter, more sustainable decisions—whether it's launching eco-conscious products, evolving brand narratives, or crafting campaigns that resonate with values-driven consumers. This isn’t just about data. It’s about impact. You’ll lead a team of passionate researchers, collaborate across creative and strategic disciplines, and shape the stories that move markets—and minds. What Your Impact Is Drive Purpose-Led Innovation : Your insights will guide clients in making environmental and social commitments that matter. Elevate Brand Strategy : Help organizations evolve what they stand for and how they show up in the world. Inspire Action : Fuel compelling campaigns and product strategies with research that’s rigorous, relevant, and resonant. Lead with Influence : Mentor a high-performing research team and build trusted relationships with clients and vendors. Who We Are : As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations. At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level. Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Thank you for your interest in ERM!

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required—this is the foundation of your strategic thinking and analytical expertise. Or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of market research experience, including global project management (supplier-side preferred).
• Proven expertise in quantitative methodologies, with a flexible, methodologically agnostic approach.
• Strong strategic thinking—able to see patterns, anticipate challenges, and craft actionable solutions.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accountability for accuracy and timeliness.
• Confident communicator with the ability to challenge ideas constructively and lead with credibility.
• Advanced storytelling skills—able to turn data into visually compelling, insight-rich presentations.
• Willingness to travel overnight for client meetings or site visits.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing vendor relationships and external research partnerships.
• Passion for sustainability, social impact, and purpose-driven business.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence—able to lead teams and build lasting partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end research projects—from client discovery to methodology design, analysis, and storytelling.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for product development, marketing strategy, and creative campaigns.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams in research, creative, and account services.
• Mentor and develop research talent, fostering a culture of curiosity and excellence.
• Serve as a thought leader within the agency and industry, contributing to innovation and best practices.
• Own client relationships and presentations, ensuring satisfaction and repeat business.
• Manage external vendors and resources to deliver high-quality work under optimal terms.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees