Senior Manager - Qualitative Research Strategist

The Sound•Chicago, IL

1d•$85,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re seeking a strategic and collaborative qualitative research consultant to join our Chicago team as a Senior Manager, Qualitative Research Strategist. This role has exposure to a wide range of projects that leverage qualitative research including exploratory, illumination, brand strategy and innovation. You’ll partner with clients from major brands across industries incl. CPG, Tech, Retail, Alcohol, Sports and more. So, if you’re passionate about deeply understanding people in service of helping brands thrive and grow, you’re in the right place!

Requirements

At least 5-7 years of "boots on the ground" qualitative research practitioner experience at a research consultancy and/or as a strategist in an agency working with corporate clients.
Independently manage projects, oversee daily client interactions, and assume full accountability for project success without requiring extensive senior support.
Strong proficiency in managing and implementing a variety of qualitative research methods, such as online and in-person discussions, digital diaries, in-home ethnographies and shop-alongs.
Experience conducting qualitative research across a range of objectives such as segment illumination, category understanding, brand strategy and positioning development, creative development.
Sharp strategic skills and a keen understanding of how insights from research can be used to impact clients’ business outcomes.
Excellent writing skills are an absolute must as compelling and impactful storytelling is essential to the work we do. It’s not enough to be able to “speak” a compelling story, you must know how to express your brilliant thinking in writing, too.
Relevant formal education that’s provided the foundational knowledge and structured systems necessary for the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential to this role.

Nice To Haves

Ideally, experience identifying the 4Cs (Consumer, Company, Category, Culture) in service of developing dig sites to drive innovation workshops.
Experience with desk research and data re-mining.
Exposure to AI for information gathering as well as qualitative research methods that leverage AI (e.g. AI moderation).

Responsibilities

Taking ownership of small to mid-sized qualitative projects from start to finish with a strong focus on qual best practice, insights laddering, narrative writing, timing and budget.
Thinking strategically and creatively at every stage -- including designing impactful screeners and guides, delivering high-level moderation across a range of methodologies, and crafting human-centered stories that deliver against client objectives and outcomes.
Managing and setting expectations and goals for internal project teams while holding them accountable for success, including collaboration with Directors/VPs as well as Managers and the Project Management team.
Building strong client relationships, both on projects and from a business development perspective.

Benefits

A Total Rewards Package which includes a competitive base salary (above) PLUS…
A healthy work/life integration – office closures during the following:
13 holidays; Winter Break; Summer Fridays; 4-day Company retreat
Leave benefits tailored to your needs:
4 weeks’ vacation leave; 2 weeks’ sick leave; sabbatical leave every 5 years
Health Benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, Life, EAP
Flexible Spending, Health Spending, Dependent care and Transit programs
Retirement match program; Cell phone reimbursement program; Travel Insurance
Gender-neutral parental leave, Adoption Assistance program and Caregiver Program
Tuition Reimbursement/Continuing Education program, Internal development opportunities, Sponsorship of the Marketing Mini-MBA
Constant acknowledgment of your performance with shout-outs, bonus incentives, and recognition along the way!
Hybrid-work position - With a flexible work schedule, you can hit the gym, catch your kid's big game, take your fur baby for a walk, or meet with friends for an extended lunch – we treat you like a grown-up!