Research Manager

Maru is seeking a Research Manager to join our Client Advisory Team and create high-impact work that solves client challenges. Primary day-to-day responsibilities will revolve around managing many different types of research engagements, including qualitative and quantitative, and for both ongoing programmes and ad hoc projects.

You will manage the end-to-end research from designing the research methodology to creating reports that are visually appealing and answer the client’s business questions. Missions and objectives are centred around adding value to our clients through building strategic partnerships, delivering superior research outcomes, and driving Maru’s reputation externally to unlock organic revenue opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day relationships with our clients, focusing on building rapport, getting to know their business, and on becoming a valued extension of the clients’ team.
• Deploy high-quality research projects underpinned by best-practice project management - from kick-off and methodology design through to fieldwork, analysis, quality assurance, and the production of commercially insightful outputs.
• Execute all aspects of the research process with excellence, managing to schedule and budget, writing proposals, designing studies, hypothesizing and analytic planning, synthesizing data and analytics, creating insights and narratives that drive actionable recommendations, and presenting results to client teams
• Implement and actively monitor in-life programmes ensuring relevant, accurate and timely communications and outputs are delivered to clients. Identify and activate opportunities to elevate programme efficiency and outcome value for continuous projects to ensure the programme continues to support the client’s business strategy and needs.
• Demonstrate the company’s expertise and specialisms through professional delivery, proactive suggestions, and value-add deliverables. Support revenue generation: identify growth opportunities within the client portfolio and activate conversations to showcase our solutions and capabilities.
• Have broad market research experience and understanding of different methodologies and approaches and how those relate to specific client business needs
• Protect and nurture client relationships to retain and grow accounts. Act as the primary point of contact for clients. Understand and clarify client objectives, ensuring that research goals align with business needs. Identify and activate opportunities for process improvement, increased efficiency, innovation, and value-add.
• Consistently exceed customer expectations and strengthening relationships to support team revenue growth
• Lead both large-scale and quick-turn projects through collaboration with colleagues

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (market research, business, social sciences etc.)
• 5+ years relevant custom research experience, client or supplier side
• Experience with both B2C and B2B research
• Proven experience in managing research projects and client relationships
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Proactivity and organisation skillset
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Specific interest in trend hunting and noticing new cultural happenings as they emerge
• Proficiency in research tools, data analysis, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, juggling several projects while collaborating with team members and stakeholders
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and related computer software packages; familiar with using Google Slides for data reporting; SPSS a plus

Benefits include 23 days annual leave, 5 days personal development leave, Bupa private healthcare, flexible working, membership to extensive discounts platform, social & wellbeing events and a dog friendly, open plan office with free onsite parking & easily commutable by train or bus. This role will be a hybrid working schedule.

At Maru we use a combination of our custom-built technology and our team’s insight expertise to help our clients better understand their customers and how they think, feel and behave. As well as running customer experience programmes for big-name clients for over 20 years, we also work in areas such as new product development and shopper understanding, and run a number of insight communities. We have an exciting roadmap which means we continue to develop new and differentiated tools in both qual and quant areas to help our clients to better connect with their customers and make smarter, more informed decisions.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.