Senior Research Manager

Senior Research Manager

Department: Client Delivery

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Paris

Reporting To: Stijn Poffe

Description

We are looking for a talented Senior Research Manager who possesses strong quantitative technical skills and has a commercial flair. This role requires a professional who can effectively advise and guide teams on the appropriate analytical methods, while also stepping in to perform complex analyses when needed. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience in account management and a knack for selling, making them a key player in driving business growth.

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Responsible for the entire end-to-end project cycle (on all project types and complexities).
• Delegation of tasks to junior colleagues, ensuring they are briefed fully and supported to deliver high-quality outcomes.
• (Co-)lead an account in the FMCG sector, with experience working with large budgets.
• Work on more complex requests, leading the junior and PST teams, helping to optimize our way of working.
• Pick up ad hoc proposals (and lead the projects when sold) where quant expertise is required.

Activity Design

• Expert and reference point when it comes to designing activities.

Analysis and Reporting

• Able to guide and train juniors but also perform more complex analyses yourself.
• An expert at finalizing conclusions and impactful recommendations, that receive positive feedback from internal KPIs and FMCG clients.
• Understanding of advanced methodologies.
• Brand Tracking experience.

Solution Design

• Comprehensive knowledge of our portfolio and how Solutions from different Business Lines can form the right programme to meet client needs.

Presenting

• An accomplished presenter.
• Ability to oversee client presentations by junior consultants, passing on expertise.
• Co-moderate client workshops/brainstorms.
• Understanding of advanced methodologies.

Account Management

• Confident account relationship manager, overseeing the handling of clients on projects with guidance from seniors.
• Take the lead on difficult client conversations (if needed).
• Ability to build rapport with clients, fostering trusted relationships.
• Share internal content with clients in a personalized way in various settings (including 121).
• A master at applying research and consumer knowledge to FMCG challenges.

Commercial Management & Business Development

• A confident pitcher, able to engage in open commercial conversations with clients.
• Able to design proposals for a range of Solutions (including complex), with limited direction needed from other seniors.
• Confident in pricing projects (with support from seniors).
• Take the lead in sales dates and actively seek referrals to new entries.
• With guidance from the (Sr) Business Director, develop new business with local hero and central accounts.
• Responsible for contribution management.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support senior colleagues on initiatives relating to specific expertise.
• Identify areas of development and encourage individuals to seek relevant opportunities and training.
• Help spot improvement areas and actively optimize our way of working.
• Support a wider group in the team, playing a central role in sharing experiences and best practices.
• Able to influence the happiness and performance of a large group of people.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Able to articulate ideas persuasively, crucial for securing funding and support.
• Effective time management.
• Critical thinking skills - strong ability to analyze data, identify patterns, draw conclusions, and make recommendations to clients.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, fluent in English.
• Ability to connect research insights to broader organizational and strategic goals.
• Flexibility in handling changing priorities and deadlines.
• Proficient in SPSS.
• Able to network across the business.
• Able to take ownership as the main day-to-day contact point for local and global clients.
• Able to design any activity or solution and manage both simple and complex projects.

Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, social studies, policies, business, etc.).
• 5+ years of experience.
• Fluent in English (French and Dutch a plus).