Research Director

Role.

Research Director

Strategy & Research at Jackman.

Jackman’s strategy team is persistent, thorough and creative in our pursuit of actionable human insights, from reviewing industry performance and best practices to conducting in-depth customer research. We don’t simply follow the market; we work to understand the cultural and societal context at the core of a business and turn that understanding into competitive advantage. The researchers on our team come from different backgrounds, but we share a passion for the mindset of consumers – how they feel, how they behave, and what drives them.

What you’ll do.

Reporting to the Senior Research Director, the Research Director leads research delivery on Jackman’s reinvention engagements, working alongside engagement leads. This means owning research programs end to end and translating ambiguous business questions into insight that shapes strategy. It’s a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves leadership role: you’ll design and run the work, guide and develop the supporting team, and partner closely with our Strategy and Creative leads as well as our engagement partners.

• Own the research end to end. Lead the design, method selection, analysis and presentation across qualitative and quantitative studies — from ethnography and focus groups to segmentation and concept testing — while managing resourcing, timelines, budget and a zero-defect standard.
• Translate ambiguity into structure. Turn business objectives and preliminary hypotheses into clear research plans that address the questions that matter most.
• Generate insight that drives decisions. Run segmentation and multivariate analysis and craft client-tailored narratives, stress-tested against our proprietary customer, competitive and brand frameworks so conclusions carry real implications for a Reinvention.
• Innovate our craft. Pilot new methods, tools and AI-led approaches, bringing fresh thinking rather than running the standard playbook and sharing what works with the team.
• Partner cross-functionally and facilitate. Act as a thought partner to the Strategy, Creative and Activation teams, moderate qualitative fieldwork, facilitate working sessions and workshops, and present confidently to senior client and internal audiences.
• Build strong relationships. Develop trusted relationships with working- and peer-level client stakeholders, identify opportunities for additional research, and support business development proposals and pitches.
• Lead and develop the team. Coach and advise junior researchers as a formal advisor, and contribute new methods and tools that make research sharper, without compromising rigour.

What we’re looking for.

• A university degree (BA/BSc, MA/MSc, HBA/BComm) with strong academic performance.
• 8+ years in a leading research, insights or management consulting practice, with significant primary research experience.
• A strong command of both qualitative and quantitative methods — including segmentation and multivariate analysis — and the judgment to identify the right approach for the objective at hand.
• A track record of translating ambiguous questions into research that directly drives impact.
• Proven ability to own and lead multiple workstreams and guide small teams, managing resourcing, timelines and budget.
• A confident communicator and facilitator who is credible and compelling with senior audiences.
• A genuine desire to develop others.
• Curiosity about applying new approaches and tools — including AI — to improve process, paired with a deep respect for research as a craft.
• Comfort operating within an environment of uncertainty, across functions, across industries, and with full end-to-end ownership.
• Maintains a fastidious attention to detail.
• Experience in retail, consumer-facing categories and B2B an asset.
• Occasional travel is expected.

People and Perks

We’re a diverse team of strategists, designers, writers, analysts and UX experts, but also bakers, bike riders, marathon runners, beer brewers, dog lovers, bookworms and musicians. We love tackling big challenges, sharing what’s new and next, and hanging out with one another. Some of the other things people love about Jackman:

• Competitive compensation including annual bonus opportunity
• Benefits and perks include sabbatical, birthdays off, wellness offerings and plenty of others
  
• Flexible working arrangements
• Awesome team events
• Waterfront HQ in downtown Toronto
• Wear what you like to work…within reason
• Bring your dog to work.

At Jackman, we are committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and accessible. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all applicants for employment without discrimination. Please let us know if accommodation for the recruitment / interview process is required, and we will work with you to make sure your needs are met.