Director, Research and Insights

Chicago, IL, United States

Overview:

Ketchum is looking for an expert of insights, analytics and research for the role of Director, Research & Insights!

Are you an insights leader? In this role, you are responsible for leading teams across all aspects of insights research and analytics for an industry or specialty. You excel at developing relationships with clients and core teams, motivating and guiding your team producing strategic insights that drive communication and PR strategy and action.

We are looking for someone to join our team who reflects our values. Someone who is curious, brave, inspiring and a force for good. At Ketchum, our people are team-players, bringing creative, ethical, innovative and outstanding partnerships to our clients and team members.

Our strength is our people. We are lifelong learners and teachers, committed to knowing better to do better. If this sounds like you, we would love to meet you!

Responsibilities:

You are:

Curious

Flexible

Solutions-oriented

Entrepreneurial

A team player

A storyteller with data

Strategic counsellor

Client whisperer

Willing to roll up sleeves and work hand-in hand with senior leaders, providing counsel, recommendations and solutions to both account leads and clients

Responsibilities include:

Research and analytics

Overseeing and coordinating all phases of complex and varied communication research projects, including primary research projects (quantitative and qualitative), measurement and secondary research with oversight from senior staff

Primary research expertise should include experience developing qualitative and quantitative research instruments, including surveys, discussion guides and screeners

Secondary research expertise should include experience conducting and overseeing analysis of social and traditional media, audience analyses, and other components of communications research.

Measurement expertise should include experience conducting and overseeing measuring impact of PR/communications campaigns across PESO (paid, earned, shared and owned channels)

Developing strategic, actionable consumer and business insights – not “data dumps” – for account teams, new business teams and clients

Leveraging insights to identify opportunities grounded in data to support client strategy and planning

Maintaining a strong level of expertise in industry-leading PR measurement and analytic approaches

Continuing to learn about innovations in research and communications analytics

Developing trainings to up-level teams and grow talent

Staying up to date on emerging technology and offerings and driving similar curiosity in your team.

Experience managing and overseeing a team

Nice-to-have: Experience or passion in auto or finance industries

Relationship management

Growing and maintaining strong relationships with client and account teams

Participating in the development of new and incremental business

Serving as a key point of contact for your clients and client teams, working closely with account teams on the ground and analytics counterparts in other markets providing exceptional service

Project management

Budgeting and vendor management

Developing of research and measurement proposals

Maintaining updated client and project briefs

Working with client leads to ensure accurate time entry and forecasting

Ensuring your team is utilized across projects and getting the opportunities to stretch and work in areas of interest

Navigating business documents and tools effectively

Writing and Editing

Strong writing and editing skills across styles, including reports, client and team communications and presentations

Comfortable using and training others on AP Style

Knowledgeable in strategic writing tactics

Willing to put in the time and energy to develop team members writing, editing and analytical skills

Business Development

Leading and driving new business pitches, delivering new and incremental business wins

Supporting assigned industry groups with education, growth opportunities and insights, as well as applications of Ketchum innovations

Supporting industry and portfolio leads on relationship and business development opportunities

Leadership

Managing and providing mentorship, sponsorship, coaching and guidance to team members

Welcoming, engaging and valuing ideas and perspectives of others and participate in Ketchum’s commitment towards creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong

Recruiting, hiring and retaining team members who bring diverse and excellent skills and perspectives to the group

Developing talent through timely, effective feedback and management, succession planning, coaching and other activities

Driving development conversations and plans for all supervisees

Ensuring team adherence to company expectations, including time entry

Lead Analytics, portfolio, team and office initiatives, reinforcing Ketchum culture in word and action

Growing and refining your thought leadership role within the industry, including participation in speaking events and conferences, and publications on traditional and social media

Drive engagement in the industry through participation in committees, awards and activities. Regularly submit nominations for awards for you and your team

Empowering junior team members to be curious, brave, inspiring and a force for good.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in related field, graduate work appreciated

Minimum of 5 to 9 years of combined related data, analytics and research experience, media measurement experience and primary research required

Excellent client management skills with the ability to communicate professionally and proactively

A consultative mindset, confident in identifying solutions to research and analytics needs at scalable budgets

A team mentality and desire to collaborate with co-workers across multiple geographies and specialties

‘Scrappy’ and solutions-oriented, able to scale research solutions to budgets

Ability to work with minimal supervision and guidance, with ability to multi-task, prioritize, meet deadlines and keep manager updated to progress

Excellent project management skills

Interest in learning new and cutting-edge analytics tools and methodologies

Outstanding analytical, writing and problem-solving skills

Places a high-value on feedback, given and received

Substantial experience in the following:

Social and digital media measurement and social media monitoring tools, such as Talkwalker, Lexis Nexis, Cision

Evaluation of earned media

Survey and/or qualitative research

Measuring corporate reputation and brand health

The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000. This position may be bonus eligible depending on individual employee performance and Ketchum business performance. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, past training, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity and local geographic market data. A range of medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available.

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