Senior Director Research GfK Los Angeles

Job Description
Preferably based in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, or the Detroit metro area, the Research Director, Qualitative & Ethnography (Q&E) will have strong Healthcare/Pharma qual expertise. The position will be one of the resident qualitative experts within the Qualitative & Ethnography group, which is part of the Market Opportunities and Innovation (MOI) area of GfK. MOI offers clients a unique array of services in a fast-paced consulting environment, ultimately helping them tackle complex business problems/issues.

This position offers a unique challenge to a qualitative thought leader who takes a consultative approach to leading insightful research in a casual, yet professional, environment where creativity and intellectual curiosity are highly valued. Strong teamwork skills as well as the ability to work independently are critical. The Research Director position involves approximately 40-50% travel to major US markets, with trips typically lasting 1-3 days.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Qualitative research specialist –Thought leadership in designing qualitative solutions and leading client engagements. Responsible for high quality project delivery and client satisfaction.
• Active practitioner role focused on moderating/interviewing using a full suite of qualitative methods and approaches (e.g., focus groups, individual in-person interviews, telephone or video depth interviews, ethnography, digital/online qualitative, social media) for need state analysis, new product development, concept testing, advertising assessment, brand positioning, segmentation profiling for clients in healthcare/pharma primarily but also in broader categories l ike CPG, retail, financial services, technology, hospitality, and more.
• Develops internal expertise, assists in the marketing of the area, helps develop new approaches, and educates internally.
• Key role in new business development for Q&E – working with other GfK teams (e.g., Brand and Customer Experience, Shopper and Retail Strategy, Digital Media Intelligence) and with outside clients to develop business and drive revenue growth.
• Provide training/mentorship for broader MOI team in the area of qualitative, providing guidance as needed.
• Provides support to the SVP of Q&E with the development of approaches for Q&E projects and supports staff with proposal development and costing.
• Assists in the development of best practices on projects involving qualitative.

​Technical Skills

• A minimum of 5 years leading qualitative research projects from brief through deliverables for clients.
• Ideally, looking for strong Healthcare/Pharma qual expertise – and an understanding of the nuances of researching physicians, specialists, sufferers, patients and caregivers. Global project management experience preferred.
• Passionate and curious qualitative practitioner with a track record of delivering high-impact work (with high client satisfaction). Strategic thinker and problem solver: Ability to go beyond the “What?” to provide actionable, meaningful insights (i.e., the “So What?” and “Now What?”).
• Creative in approach and mindset: Able to develop novel approaches to address client issues. A bonus would be strong experience and insight into innovation and new product development work.
• Facility with more cutting-edge qualitative approaches: Understands and has experience with the latest tools including digital/online qualitative, applied ethnography, social media, mobile, neuroscience, etc.
• Minimum of a BA/BS in Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Business, or Communications. MBA a plus.
• Demonstrates teamwork: Collaborates effectively in a team setting. Works toward team goals and participates in team decisions. Cooperates with others and offers help when needed.
• Demonstrates personal productivity: Achieves high levels of productivity by managing time, priorities, and personal effort; takes responsibility to ensure tasks are completed on time; strives to obtain an objective; shows a strong drive to follow through and complete actions.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and multi-task: Able to juggle multiple tasks and to “wear many hats”, working in a fairly unstructured environment.

Typical Education And Work Experience

BA/BS in Marketing or equivalent, MS desirable