Head of Research (Qualitative) is a senior leadership opportunity to shape and grow a qualitative insight function within a highly integrated creative and insight environment. In a large, established brand communications and creative business with an in-house agency model, the role is designed to provide genuine influence across insight, strategy, and creative delivery for major global clients.
The position will take ownership of the qualitative insight capability, including leadership, quality, and future growth. Responsibilities include leading, mentoring, and growing the qualitative research team (including hiring and development), owning and evolving the qualitative research offering across key clients, delivering high-quality qualitative research while remaining hands-on as needed, and collaborating closely with senior account, strategy, and creative stakeholders. The role will also contribute to large, complex, global client accounts by introducing and scaling innovative and hybrid qualitative methodologies and operating effectively within a matrix structure across insight and creative teams, while supporting new business conversations and capability positioning.
The ideal candidate brings strong agency or consultancy experience delivering qualitative research and deep expertise across a range of qualitative methodologies. They should have experience working with large or global brands in a client-facing capacity, along with proven capability to lead and grow a qualitative practice or team. The role requires strong commercial awareness and confidence influencing senior stakeholders, along with credibility to operate at senior leadership level from the outset.