Manager, Qualitative Insights & Strategy Operations

Summary

Join CMB, a leading custom market research firm, as a Manager of Qualitative Insights & Strategy Operations. In this role, you will manage qualitative projects, mentor team members, and deliver insightful narratives to clients. You will leverage various methodologies, including both classic and emergent approaches. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership skills, a strategic mindset, and experience managing qualitative research projects. CMB offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a fully paid sabbatical, wellness stipend, and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). This position requires a bachelor's degree and relevant experience in market research.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Market Research, Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or related field
• Minimum 4 years of professional market research experience or demonstrated success as a Qualitative Insights Consultant at CMB
• Minimum of 2 years independently managing multiple qualitative market research project teams
• Advanced understanding of qualitative market research methods (e.g., virtual and in-person live interviews, online discussion boards/mobile diaries, intercepts and in-home interviews, creative brainstorming sessions)
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent at establishing and managing relationships with clients, vendors, and co-workers
• High attention to detail
• Excellent at managing multiple projects, establishing priorities, and time management
• Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Advanced knowledge/experience with project management or financial software (Salesforce, Kimble, Monday.com or similar)

Responsibilities

• Qualitative Team Assist in the planning, scoping, design, and pricing of project work
• Manage, coach, and develop project management team members (Qualitative Research Specialist & Qualitative Insights Consultants)
• Partner with Director of Qualitative Operations and client services to develop mixed-method specialists, ART shadow opportunities and overflow qualitative project management support
• Partner with PD&I to collaborate on new tech and tools with focus on operational efficiencies
• Support Operations in measuring and optimizing BU and operational team performance, project activation, and resource planning (including translating proposals into project plans)
• Support Sales with qualitative proposal contributions and account management as needed
• Team Management Manage a team of 1-3 qualitative project management specialists
• Actively manage the team by continuously measuring and discussing performance, providing mentoring and coaching feedback, and creating development opportunities for team members
• Ensure a high degree of employee engagement and positive / professionally constructive feedback
• Partner with members of the Qualitative BU and Client Services team to enable equitable workload distribution
• Partner with members of the Qualitative BU and HR to effectively recruit and onboard new CMB talent, when necessary
• Collaborate on the definition and successful deployment of The CMB Difference
• Partner with others to develop and deploy standardized trainings
• On projects: Contributing through the entire project lifecycle for qualitative research
• Involvement with monitoring project budget, work plan, profitability, as well as project and billings schedule, to meet or exceed targets
• Adherence to a proactive fiscal management of projects
• Assigned to more complex projects, including multinational engagements, and oversees mixed-method research as needed
• Partner closely with qualitative moderators (internal and external) to shape insights into narratives and activating insights
• Effectively communicate with Qualitative Research Specialists, Project Management, Moderators, Insights Associates, Consultants, Contractors, peers, and other senior staff
• Anticipate and identify project problems and find solutions independently
• Other relevant duties, projects, and/or initiatives as assigned
• Client Services Adhere to CMB’s defined approaches, processes, and best practices
• Take advantage of training and development opportunities
• Contribute to a team and/or committee for ongoing CMB initiatives
• Follow CMB- and client-specific Information Security Policies
• Ensure end-to-end client/project delivery in alignment with Sales & Account Management leading to high client satisfaction with project deliverables

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with a variety of qualitative research platforms (e.g., Discuss.io, Indeemo, Recollective) preferred
• Sense of humor and self-awareness

Benefits

• Fully paid sabbatical
• $250 wellness stipend
• Paid time off to volunteer
• Generous medical plans
• 401k match
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)