Senior Director | Qualitative | London, UK

Savanta is seeking a Senior Qualitative Director to join our Brands team, playing a pivotal role in shaping strategy, delivering outstanding client service, and building a high-performing team.

Savanta is a data, market research and advisory company with teams in the UK, Americas, and APAC. Working with high-profile organizations and some of the world’s best-known brands, we Inform & Inspire our clients to Make Better Decisions through powerful data, empowering technology and high-impact consulting.

Savanta is on a bold journey transforming from a traditional market research firm into a tech-first, insights-driven leader. 

About the Role:

You’ll join Savanta’s Brands Team as a highly skilled qualitative researcher, working across Retail, FMCG, and Financial Services sectors. You’ll tackle diverse client challenges - from market and audience analysis to in-store shopper and customer experience, as well as innovation projects.

As Senior Director, you will:

• Be a senior leader within the Brands team, supporting key targets and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Drive revenue growth, manage client accounts, and ensure the highest standards in project delivery.
• Oversee and mentor mid-junior team members, championing efficiency, innovation, and profitability.
• Set and execute the strategy for qualitative research, aligning with overall team goals.
• Lead the design and delivery of research using diverse methods (focus groups, interviews, ethnography).
• Advise clients on qualitative strategy, ensuring insights are actionable and commercially relevant.
• Champion digital and tech-enabled approaches, mentoring the team to uphold best practices.

About You:

As well as a strong expertise in the application of qualitative research methodologies, success in this role will require strong analytical skills and a working knowledge of Consumer and Financial Services sectors.

To fulfil the delivering of high-quality end-to-end primary research projects while being a trusted advisor to clients, the ideal candidate should also have solid expertise in a research capacity and demonstrate a track record of:

• A deep knowledge and experience of conducting core qualitative methodologies and open to embracing new ones (e.g. AI).
• Strong knowledge of the Retail, FMCG, and Financial Services sectors.
• Developing innovative solutions to client briefs and writing proposals for qualitative research projects.
• The ability to design research materials and approaches tailored to diverse client needs.
• Identifying new opportunities and revenue streams, leveraging technology for sustainable partnerships.
• Excellent client relationship management skills; able to articulate and present insights clearly.
• The confidence to challenge established practices, introduce new ideas, and champion technology adoption.
• Natural curiosity and appetite for continuous learning and professional development.
• Strong organisational skills to manage concurrent demands and project timelines.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior colleagues.
  

Experience with AI-driven qualitative research or tools (e.g. CoLoop) is beneficial but not essential.

You will thrive in working in a fast-paced environment, being able to work autonomously whilst also providing support and leadership for others in the team.

Please click here to view the full job description

And in return, Savanta offers:

• Salary range: £70,000 - £85,000
• Bonus scheme
• Unlimited annual leave
• Hybrid working
• Ongoing Training & Development
• Flexible working practices
• Health & wellbeing package
• Financial health (pension, life assurance, etc.)
• Team & Company Socials
• Committees for Health & Well Being, Charities & Volunteering and DE&I

Why Join Us:

With offices in the US, Canada, India and the UK, over 500 staff globally, and ambitious growth plans, Savanta offers the benefits of scale, whilst our specialists with their deep expertise and nimble teams, make life at Savanta feel more like working at a ‘boutique’ agency.

Our client portfolio includes some of the world’s most recognizable and valuable brands such as Google, Meta, Pandora, Vodafone, Samsung, Heineken, LEGO, Aston Martin, Unilever, and the Cabinet Office. 

The company was founded on the belief that tech should be integral to its success, and this culture of tech innovation makes us best placed to put Savanta at the heart of our clients’ businesses offering solutions before they even know the problem. 

Part of the vibrant Next 15 Communications Group, we have an entrepreneurial and inclusive company culture that actively recognizes and values its people and offers unrivalled scope for career development, including mentoring, coaching as well as extensive training programs.

Savanta is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and continuously strives to be an employer of choice. Our people are our greatest asset - we value workplace diversity and inclusion, oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination, and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds.

All candidates will be considered equally; however, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

As we are looking for information specific to you, we would ask that you don’t just use Generative Al tools to write your cover letter or any questions in the application process.  We may use Al Decoders as part of the review process and if your answers match to a high extent that will be factored into the review.

For information on how Savanta uses your data, please see https://savanta.com/about/careers/job-opportunities