Director, Research & Insight Services

At GWI, we’re always looking for extraordinary people who thrive on making an extraordinary impact. Right now, we’re looking for a Director, Research & Insight Services to play a key role on our Research team in our New York office. If that’s you, and making a difference gets you out of bed in the morning, keep reading. This could be the start of something extraordinary.

We’re looking for someone ambitious and genuine who thrives in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment. As a GWIer, you’ll be immersed in the fast-moving world of data and technology. We think big to make an impact, we’re not afraid to ask “why,” and we always show respect. Those values are a big part of what got us where we are today, and they’re a big part of what we’re looking for in you.

You’ll lead the New York Research & Insight teams (R&I), which currently consist of approximately 12 FTEs, with a combination of direct and indirect reporting lines. The R&I team is responsible for delivering all custom research projects, as well as a majority of analysis and reporting across the company. You will have ultimate accountability for the clients and projects managed by your team.

You’ll play a key client-facing role as a senior figure within the Research & Insight organization and the US region, helping to build client relationships and win business in partnership with the Revenue team (who own overall client relationships and are responsible for identifying opportunities and securing briefs and RFPs). You will develop strong relationships with our most important clients, ensuring they trust you and your team to deliver world-class research and analysis. You will be the senior authority in the room, able to handle complex RFPs, questions, and challenges, ensuring GWI is seen as an expert research partner.

You will oversee costs, pitches, and proposals to ensure GWI is positioned to optimize our win rate. You will also ensure you and your team build strong relationships with key revenue stakeholders, supporting the Revenue team on major client opportunities.

To achieve this, you will ensure both teams are trained and equipped to deliver projects to target revenue goals. You will also oversee project design and delivery, with hands-on involvement in the largest and most complex engagements.

You will work with other R&I Directors to develop best-in-class research thinking and approaches that position GWI as innovative and cutting-edge. You will be highly confident speaking internally and externally about research methodologies, survey approaches, questionnaire design, and analysis/reporting techniques. You will clearly articulate to clients why GWI’s approach is best-in-class versus alternatives, and you will model this standard for the team.

You may also be asked to present research findings at client events or conferences to raise our profile as a leading research provider.

You will report to the SVP of R&I and work closely with them to ensure the US proposition aligns with broader business needs.

• Lead the team with a clear understanding of the company strategy, translating that strategy into the team’s priorities and ways of working, ensuring they’re motivated and engaged
• Partner closely with the Revenue team to understand client needs and develop research proposals aligned to business objectives, working with the Solution Partners team as appropriate
• Showcase how GWI can add real value by drawing from our range of methodologies and approaches as needed
• Ensure research projects are meticulously designed, incorporating the latest thinking across the team and the broader industry
• Ensure teams produce well-written, well-designed deliverables that meet or exceed client needs
• Develop research ideas that can be taken to Revenue and Solution Partners to pitch to new and existing clients
• Work collaboratively with clients to build strong research and insight partnerships, including running client workshops and delivering joint presentations
• Take ownership of opportunities to raise the profile of GWI Research & Insight Services across your client base, ensuring Revenue stakeholders are fully briefed on the latest developments
• Support culture and engagement initiatives for the US region

We’re looking for someone with strong experience across the core requirements of the role. You may not meet every criterion, but you’ll have the seniority and judgment to operate confidently and deliver impact. Here’s what the team will be looking for:

• Expert understanding of methodologies used by GWI, ranging from segmentation, brand tracking, advertising effectiveness, and concept testing/development
  
• Ability to articulate the benefits of advanced analytic techniques, including multivariate analysis and pricing techniques, and to advise on when clients may benefit from them
  
• Deep knowledge of program design, quotas, weighting, and standard and GWI-specific research practices
  
• Expertise in study design, translating business questions into thoughtfully designed questionnaires that deliver clear insight, and ensuring the team meets the same standard
  
• Ability to produce (and ensure the team produces) exceptionally well-written and well-designed outputs that address business needs and research objectives, from C-suite-ready executive summary one-pagers to white papers and thought leadership
  
• Up to speed on new initiatives and approaches, ensuring the team is aligned and informed
  

• Strategic thinking: Proactive, strategic mindset, continuously improving how we work and how we support clients
  
• Adaptability: Comfortable with change, able to keep pace in a growing environment
  
• Business acumen: Understands business needs and how to create insights that resonate
  
• Highly organized: Able to manage multiple projects and initiatives while maintaining strong process and operational discipline
  
• Collaborative: Comfortable collaborating across teams and time zones, with teams split across the US, UK, Singapore, and Greece

People leadership: Able to inspire, motivate, and empower people to drive change, connecting team goals to our broader mission and ultimately creating a culture of growth, commitment, and sustained results.

Equally important is attitude. We want people who think big (to make an impact), ask “why” (to find a better way), and show respect (to everyone, at every level, all the time). Those are our values, and they’re a big part of what we’re looking for in you.

• Time to recharge – 23 days’ annual leave, paid sick days, and office closures over the holidays.
• Health & wellbeing – Top-tier health cover with dental & vision, plus mental health and wellness support.
• Financial benefits – Great pay, 401(k) matching via Voya, and rewards that recognise your impact.
• Flexibility & balance – Flexitime, early Friday finishes, and work-from-anywhere freedom.
• Family first – Enhanced parental leave and carer days for when life needs you most.
• Career growth – Accredited learning, development programs, and space to grow your future.
• Community & impact – DE&I initiatives, volunteer days, and 100% donation matching.

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