Senior Research Manager

Fuel Cycle • Los Angeles, CA

1d • $85,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Fuel Cycle is hiring a Senior Market Research Manager to lead quantitative and qualitative research projects for Fortune 500 clients across industries. The manager serves as the primary market research contact for assigned clients and manages projects from planning through delivery, translating business questions into research plans and actionable insights. The role combines hands-on project execution with client advising, project coordination, data quality oversight, and mentorship of junior researchers.

This is an onsite role based in Los Angeles, California, requiring five days per week in the office. The manager collaborates with Research Excellence and Customer Experience, Audience Experience, programming, and data processing partners. Success is measured by data accuracy, project delivery within agreed timelines and budgets, client satisfaction, business impact of insights, and the performance and development of direct reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• At least 5 years of market research experience, preferably at a research vendor, with a track record of successful research initiatives.
• At least 2 years of staff management experience in market research.
• At least 3 years of client relationship management experience.
• Proficiency in survey design, statistical analysis, and qualitative data interpretation.
• Proficiency in market research tools and statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, Qualtrics, and/or Alchemer.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience designing and executing qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and data analysis.
• Experience managing end-to-end research projects within scope, time, and budget constraints, including task delegation and meeting quality standards and stakeholder expectations.
• Ability to lead and mentor market research analysts.
• Ability to create and manage project budgets, estimate costs, track expenses, and optimize resource allocation.
• Ability to understand client perspectives, foster effective client relationships, communicate effectively, and provide value-added thinking.
• Proficiency in data analysis, statistical methods, and research techniques.
• Ability to translate business questions into research plans and findings into actionable strategies.
• Effective written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with research teams and other company functions while also working independently.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop solutions to challenges during research projects.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Self-motivated, flexible, and organized.

Nice To Haves

• Experience moderating in-depth interviews (IDIs) or focus groups.
• Ability to stay informed about industry trends, consumer behavior, and emerging technologies to identify growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Translate business inquiries into comprehensive market research plans and design and program research instruments using the company platform.
• Design and program research instruments using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including research conducted within communities.
• Ensure data accuracy, relevance, internal consistency, and face validity throughout project execution.
• Load, test, and proofread surveys and research content on staging before launching them in production.
• Become an expert user of the Fuel Cycle Research Engine platform and use it to execute research projects.
• Lead, mentor, train, coach, and support junior market research team members, including Research Managers and Senior Research Analysts; support performance management and development.
• Coordinate and execute components of multiple projects, prioritizing tasks and managing time while adapting to client needs.
• Assist with project scoping, cost estimates, and client communications in support of Senior Research Leads.
• Keep project work within the scope of contracts or proposals and meet project timelines.
• Collaborate with community management, programming, data processing, and Customer Experience teams to deliver project components on time and to a high standard.
• Assist with daily moderation of community research activities, extract insights, oversee data collection, and ensure quotas and data-quality standards are met.
• Serve as the primary research point of contact for assigned clients and manage conversations about project design, analysis, and unexpected challenges.
• Maintain client satisfaction through high-quality insights and effective management of client expectations.
• Analyze data and develop clear, concise, visually appealing findings that address business objectives.
• Use advanced data-analysis techniques to interpret findings and develop recommendations.
• Prepare and present reports that summarize research findings and recommended actions.
• Manage project budgets, estimate costs, track expenses, and optimize resource allocation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Equity purchase option.
• Flexible work schedule.
• 15 vacation days and 7 sick days per year.
• 12 company holidays.
• 4 floating holidays/recharge days.
• Paid parental leave.
• Monthly internet and phone stipend.
• Wellness and lifestyle resources, including Rightway, Headspace, and Peloton.
• Weekly community lunches, refreshments, and snacks at the Los Angeles and New York headquarters.
• Discretionary bonus with a target of 7% of base salary.
• The role may be eligible for an equity grant or purchase option.

What This Job Offers

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