Director, Insights – Qualitative, Gaming & Entertainment - Material : Job Details

Director, Insights – Qualitative, Gaming & Entertainment role at Material. Based near one of our offices in New York, Oakland, or Los Angeles. Material is a global strategy partner helping brands design and deliver rewarding customer experiences using deep human insights, design innovation and data.

• Lead and successfully deliver multiple research and insights engagements in the gaming and entertainment category, and across other industries.
• Act as a thought partner to junior to senior-level clients, crafting insights and developing actionable and provocative recommendations while maintaining trusted relationships.
• Liaise with internal Client Partners to support account planning and growth.
• Design research methodology and engagement, develop discussion and activity guides, conduct online and face-to-face moderation, mentor and develop others, manage internal project members, manage budgets and deliver client-ready outputs (slides, videos, microsites), and oversee account/project management.
• Apply critical thinking for roadblock escalation and collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Qual Insight Ops, Insight Design, Behavioral Sciences, Quant) to deliver high-quality work.
• Translate data into learnings, create integrated visual stories and comprehensive narratives that inform strategic recommendations for gaming clients and beyond.
• Establish and nurture relationships with junior- to-senior-level Insights, Marketing, and cross-functional client stakeholders; mentor and develop Associates and Sr. Associates.
• Demonstrate strong communication and presentation skills to convey insights to diverse, senior-level audiences; influence client account growth and revenue; lead cross-functional collaboration and vendor relationships.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in market research, with a track record of managing multiple end-to-end projects and client relationships.
• Strong expertise in qualitative methodologies (focus groups, ethnographies, in-depth interviews, online communities, workshops) and applying qualitative research to objectives such as JTBD/Needs, Segment Illumination, Customer Understanding, Journey Mapping, Product Innovation, Positioning, etc.
• Experience as a people manager is a plus.
• Professional experiência and personal interest in gaming, e-sports, and entertainment; ability to translate insights into non-gaming categories.
• Understanding of quantitative research is a plus, with ability to integrate quantitative insights.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to drive organic client account growth and revenue; leadership presence and change leadership.
• Proficiency in market research software and Microsoft/Google suites; ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage external vendors.
• Curiosity, learning mindset, openness to feedback, and adaptability to new methodologies and technologies.

We are open to alternative modes of education and experience. Many successful candidates have Bachelor's degrees in social science, communications, or business-related fields; Master's degrees are a plus.

Material is a global company working with best-of-class brands worldwide. We emphasize inclusion, learning, and impact. We offer high-impact work and a culture focused on outcomes and helping teams grow.

Pay Range: $100,000.00-125,000.00. The range represents grouping of ranges in use at Material; actual range may differ by location and skillset.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

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