Research Director
Location
AUSTIN
Type
Full Time
McGarrah Jessee is on a quest for a research director to lead our in-house consumer research team. This person believes in the importance of supporting decisions with data, but also recognizes that no amount of data is enough if you don’t start with a thoughtful question and craft a compelling story with the answers.
Our ideal candidate has a deep understanding of and experience with a multitude of methodologies and a passion for the insights that research can bring brands. He or she isn’t just a methodology nerd but is a trusted partner to both our internal teams and clients when it comes to creatively answering business questions. Here, you’ll get the opportunity to work as an “in-house” consumer insights department partnering very closely with a wide range of clients. You also have the benefit of seeing research insights and findings get implemented into a brand’s marketing strategy and projects such as written briefs, communication development, positioning or product development.
Responsibilities:
While this covers most of what the research director does, our small team supports the agency across a diverse set of brands and you may be called upon to help in unexpected ways.
- Leading a team of 3-4 researchers at varying stages of their career development and research knowledge — guiding, mentoring and developing the careers of direct reports and actively growing the capabilities of the group to stay ahead of client needs
- Building strong, collaborative relationships with both clients and internal teams — Creative, Planning, Engagement, Integration (Account Services) and other departments — and providing a confident point of view on how to tackle business questions with a variety of research approaches
- Managing both qualitative and quantitative studies from start to finish. This is a working director role. You’ll be guiding the work from your team but will also be responsible for managing your own research projects
- Working with and effectively managing third-party research vendors so that work is completed on time and within budget, findings are complete and compelling, and strong partner relationships are created and/or maintained
- Authoring, reviewing and presenting client-facing reports and recommendations to ensure each tells a compelling story and leads to actionable next steps that positively impact the brand and business
Requirements:
This role requires you to be equal parts consumer research guru, excellent people manager and creative thinker.
- At a minimum, you have 10 years of experience in consumer research with a good portion of that experience in a leadership role. Agency experience is a plus but not mandatory
- You enjoy managing others and helping them develop and you’ve proven multiple times that you have the ability to effectively lead and grow a team
- Others say that you have a collaborative nature and proven ability to build effective working relationships with a wide range of people and working styles
- Keeping multiple balls in the air without dropping one comes naturally for you. You’ve got an excellent ability to multitask and prioritize
- You have a deep curiosity about people and an inherent interest in brands and communication/advertising
- You have experience with a variety of industries, business problems and research techniques — secondary, qualitative and quantitative. Moderating experience is a must, SPSS proficiency is a plus
- Being stagnant is not an option for you. You’re always looking to learn something new and stay on top of research and industry trends
- You’ve consistently found ways to tell compelling stories with data and you know how to effectively convey findings to a variety of technical and nontechnical roles
- You know how to command attention in a room when presenting and how to read the room when collaborating and brainstorming
Please do not call. All submissions will be reviewed. Thank you.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
McGarrah Jessee
McGarrah Jessee is an independent brand development agency in Austin, Texas. We partner deeply with uniquely great clients to solve big problems, push creative boundaries and shape all parts of the brand. The result: unusual levels of brand fandom, award-winning work and an employee and client tenure rate that runs counter to the industry.
McGarrah Jessee believes in the power of a workplace that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. And we believe our culture is more inviting and creative and our work more productive and truthful when we are welcoming to all.
McGarrah Jessee is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Eligible McGarrah Jessee employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period per the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). McGarrah Jessee complies with the Employee Polygraph Protection Act. If you need assistance or accommodation during the application process, please email accommodations@mc-j.com or call (512) 225-2258. If you’d like, please note the pronouns you use (she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc.) in your application.