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.