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The Sound · 22 hours ago

Senior Manager - Qualitative Research Strategist

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$85K/yr - $100K/yr

5+ years exp

The Sound is a Global Exploration, Strategy, and Innovation consulting agency dedicated to engaging brands with people. They are seeking a strategic and collaborative qualitative research consultant to lead small to mid-sized qualitative research projects from start to finish, focusing on delivering insights that drive business outcomes for their clients.

AnalyticsMarket ResearchMessagingMusicProfessional Services

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

Qualification

Qualitative research methodsClient relationship managementStrategic thinkingNarrative writingAI in researchProject managementCollaborationCreativityProblem-solving

Required

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

Preferred

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)

Benefits

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!