Posted June 18, 2012

Director of Marketing Research Operations

Sir  | Richmond, VA, US

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The Research Marketing Operations Director will be leading a team of talented researchers and will be responsible for ensuring marketing research projects are conducted in a thoughtful and comprehensive manner to meet client objectives and provide clients with strategic insights and actionable recommendations.

The Research Marketing Operations Director is of key importance to our organization. Candidates for this position must have demonstrated experience in marketing research and are self-starters. We are looking for bright, energetic and passionate individuals with common sense to join our team and manage the initiation, design and implementation of primary research studies, formulate study designs, craft questionnaires, analyze data, formulate research inspired actionable recommendations, and prepare and deliver compelling reports and oral presentations. Given that we are a small and growing firm, there are opportunities to expand, evolve and change responsibilities over time while working on interesting and varied assignments.

Responsibilities:

• Brainstorm with client to determine project needs, objectives and desired outcomes of each research initiative
• Design questionnaires based on study objectives, including using creativity to ensure efficient data collection and ease of understanding for respondents
• Select and manage sample needed to match target and meet study objectives
• Manage all parts of the project fielding, from questionnaire programming through data collection
• Analyze data using appropriate statistical techniques, such as regression analysis and conjoint analysis
• Develop rich, action-based reports – in both Microsoft PowerPoint and Word – that effectively communicate the findings and recommendations based on those findings
• Prepare and deliver effective presentations
• Manage existing client accounts and continue to market existing and new research services
• Consistently monitor profitability of projects
• Communicate diplomatically and effectively resolve challenges that arise with client and other SIR colleagues to ensure projects are completed as efficiently as possible to everyone’s satisfaction, while adhering to SIR’s corporate values
• Brainstorm with rest of SIR team to create new research tools and services, contribute ideas on how to improve our processes (to improve speed and ensure quality), and help with implementation
• Take on a leadership role and foster a sense of teamwork
• Effectively lead the marketing research team
Responsibilities may vary over time

Education & Training: Four year degree—preferably in research, marketing, business, statistics or a social science—and a minimum of five years’ experience as a Marketing Research Manager, Project Director and Team Leader.

Direct experience with both quantitative and qualitative research is required. A master’s degree in a research-based discipline and/or experience on the client side is preferred. Strong analysis and communication skills backed by knowledge of marketing principles and research methods as well as proficiency in all major marketing research methodologies is expected.

The Project Director should be proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SPSS. Experience with SPSS Data Collection Survey Reporter and survey programming is a plus.

Work samples, including questionnaires and reports, will be required for all finalist candidates.

This position is based in Richmond, Va.

Please send cover letter, salary requirements and resume to Claudia Dangerfield (claudia@sirresearch.com).

The Southeastern Institute of Research (SIR) was founded 43 years ago on one simple but powerful idea – marketing research has to be actionable! It must generate information and insight that leads to action and, ultimately, results. It has to stay off the shelf and on the desk as a useful tool. Simply put – we believe in research that works!

This perspective has guided the over 14,000 marketing research studies we have conducted since 1969, making us one of the oldest and most experienced marketing research firms in the country. Our experience comes from helping clients like AARP, AT&T, Goodyear, GE, National Kidney Foundation, Polaroid, Rubbermaid, Owens & Minor, PayPal, American Chemical Society, Liberty Mutual and Media General – plus many smaller, niche companies and entrepreneurs whose names are not widely known.

Today, we help corporations, organizations, and associations formulate unique brand positions, identify and seize opportunities, manage competitive threats, test new products and services, launch new initiatives, and track the overall effectiveness of marketing programs. Along the way, we have learned that the real key to actionable research isn't in running surveys or crunching numbers, it's in figuring out how people think, feel, and act. It is deconstructing and then reconstructing behavior, motivations, and desires.

SIR is also the home of the Boomer Project – America’s leading authority for information and insight about today's Boomer Consumer and the fast-growing 50+ market.

SIR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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