Senior Research Manager, Customer Success

Posted 2 days ago

nielseniqChicago (IL)

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling

SENIORITY

Lead

SALARY

$69,800.00-$95,000.00

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About the role

Senior Research Manager, Customer Success Full-time Career Site Team: Customer Success

Compensation: USD 69,800 - USD 95,000 - yearly

Location: US-Remote, must be based in US at time of applicationR26_0022498LI-RemoteWho We AreConsumer Behavior & Insights is NIQ's custom research and consulting practice, helping some of the world's most recognizable brands better understand the people they serve. Combining research, analytics, and strategic consulting, we uncover the motivations, perceptions, and behaviors that drive consumer decision-making. We help our clients move beyond understanding what happened to understanding why it happened, what it means, and what they should do next.

What We Do: The insights we generate help shape the future of products, services, brands, and experiences delivered to millions of people around the globe every day. From innovation and brand strategy to customer experience and growth, our work helps organizations make smarter decisions and build stronger connections with consumers. Joining Consumer Behavior & Insights means joining a team of curious problem-solvers, trusted advisors, and passionate researchers who are united by a common goal: We show the world what people want.

Job Description: As a Senior Research Manager, you will serve as the primary owner of complex custom research programs for some of the world's most recognized brands. You will be responsible for independently leading research engagements from study design through final delivery, ensuring projects are executed with excellence while generating actionable insights that drive meaningful business decisions. This role requires a strong combination of research expertise, analytical rigor, client management, and strategic storytelling. Senior Research Managers serve as the day-to-day leaders of their projects, partnering closely with Directors and Analysts while maintaining ownership of project execution, insight development, client communication, and overall delivery. The ideal candidate is a highly organized and intellectually curious researcher with experience managing complex quantitative research studies. Experience supporting technology clients, longitudinal research programs, and/or brand tracking studies is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

Research Leadership & Project Ownership
Serve as the primary owner and day-to-day leader of research engagements, managing all phases of project execution from kickoff through final delivery
Independently lead multiple concurrent projects while ensuring timelines, budgets, quality standards, and client expectations are consistently met
Proactively identify project risks, develop solutions, and navigate complex stakeholder environments
Coordinate effectively with internal teams, international hub partners, vendors, and operational stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution
Research Design & Methodology
Lead questionnaire development, survey design, sampling approaches, and overall study methodology
Provide strategic guidance on research design to ensure studies deliver actionable and decision-oriented insights
Manage and monitor fieldwork, data quality controls, and data processing activities
Oversee project specifications and ensure research outputs meet the highest standards of quality and rigor
Apply expertise across a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodologies, with experience in longitudinal studies and brand tracking considered a strong advantage
Analytics & Insight Development
Act as a consultant providing clients with expert opinions on study design and results interpretation and leveraging appropriate business acumen to guide them through implications
Lead the analysis and interpretation of complex data sets, identifying key trends, patterns, opportunities, and risks
Translate research findings into compelling business narratives that address client objectives and support decision making
Develop executive-level perspectives, strategic implications, and actionable recommendations
Support ad hoc analytical requests through direct data interrogation and manipulation
Demonstrate proficiency with SPSS and related analytical tools to efficiently execute data reviews, answer client questions, and conduct exploratory analyses
Leverage AI-powered tools and emerging technologies thoughtfully and responsibly to accelerate workflows, increase productivity, enhance analytical depth, and improve the quality of research outputs while maintaining analytical rigor
Client Leadership & Communication
Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for clients, building strong working relationships through consistent communication and outstanding service
Lead client meetings, project updates, working sessions, and results presentations with confidence and professionalism
Demonstrate exceptional executive presence and communication skills when presenting findings to senior stakeholders
Translate complex research findings into concise, clear, and actionable recommendations tailored to business audiences
Partner with Directors to increase the strategic value delivered to clients and identify opportunities to strengthen engagement
Storytelling & Deliverables
Develop polished, executive-ready presentations, reports, and strategic recommendations
Create compelling data visualizations and clear narratives that simplify complex research findings
Ensure all deliverables are accurate, visually engaging, strategically relevant, and aligned with client needs
Mentor junior team members on effective storytelling, analytical thinking, and research best practices
Team Leadership & Development
Provide guidance and coaching to Associate Research Managers and Analysts
Foster a collaborative environment focused on quality, continuous improvement, and professional development
Share best practices and contribute to the evolution of research processes, analytical approaches, and team capabilities
Support talent development by providing feedback, coaching, and mentorship to less experienced team members

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Market Research, Business, Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, Economics, or a related field 5-8+ years of experience in market research, consumer insights, analytics, consulting, or a related discipline
Demonstrated experience independently managing complex research projects from inception through delivery
Strong knowledge of quantitative research methodologies, survey design, data interpretation, and insight development
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, including the ability to develop executive-ready presentations and manage complex analytical outputs
Working proficiency in SPSS with the ability to manipulate datasets, perform analyses, and support ad hoc client requests
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with strong executive presence
Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills
Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools and emerging technologies to improve productivity, accelerate insight development, streamline workflows, and enhance deliverable quality

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience supporting technology, consumer technology, telecommunications, software, hardware, gaming, or related industries
Experience managing large-scale longitudinal research programs, continuous tracking studies, or brand health measurement programs
Experience presenting research findings and recommendations to senior client stakeholders
Experience mentoring junior researchers and contributing to team development

Additional Information: This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $69,800.00-$95,000.00. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role might also be eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include a flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support, and more.

Our Benefits:

Flexible working environment
Volunteer time off
LinkedIn Learning

Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including rsum screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ's principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ's AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles.

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