Senior Research Manager (Qualitative)

Senior Research Manager (Qualitative) 
This is a role open to candidates located in the UK.
What we’re looking for
SMG is looking for a Senior Research Manager (Qualitative) to lead strategic insight projects from initial brief through final presentation. This role works closely with clients, sales, and research teams to design thoughtful studies, turn findings into clear recommendations, and help organizations make better decisions that strengthen customer and employee experiences.
What you’ll do

• Own the full research process across multiple projects simultaneously from client brief interpretation through final presentation, ensuring projects are delivered on time and aligned to client objectives.
• Design screeners, questionnaires, discussion guides, and research approaches that produce actionable insights across a range of project types and complexity.
• Lead data analysis and synthesize findings across methodologies to create clear, compelling insight stories for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Present research findings to clients with clarity and confidence, connecting insights to business implications and recommended actions.
• Manage Elite/Advanced client accounts with support from an Associate Research Director, Director, or Senior Director while maintaining strong client relationships.
• Collaborate across teams to support proposals, pitch materials, and Quarterly Business Reviews that help deliver a best-in-class client experience.
• Review and elevate work produced by other research team members, providing coaching and feedback to support quality and team development.
• Identify opportunities to improve research workflows, best practices, and internal processes to increase quality, efficiency, and scalability.

What success looks like

• 30 days: Build a strong understanding of SMG’s research workflows, active clients, and current projects, and begin contributing to delivery with growing independence.
• 60 days: Lead key portions of strategic insight projects, develop client-ready materials, and contribute to presentations, proposals, or Quarterly Business Reviews.
• 90 days: Independently manage multiple client projects end to end, deliver clear recommendations tied to business decisions, and identify practical opportunities to improve team processes.

Why you’ll love SMG

• We work with some of the world’s biggest and most valued brands.
• We’re fully remote, and we’re staying that way.
• We offer competitive compensation and benefits, which include but aren’t limited to:
• Unlimited PTO
• Extended parental leave
• Company-issued equipment and tools
• A culture built on connection, collaboration, and continuous improvement

What you’ll bring
Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 6 years of experience in a client-facing research delivery role specifically working in qualitative research
• Experience working with online qualitative research – both in data collection and analysis
• Experience managing multiple projects & clients efficiently and simultaneously, while delivering end-to-end strategic insight projects
• Advanced knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, research design, analysis, reporting, and presentation
• Proficiency with online platform and analysis tools, Excel, PowerPoint, and storytelling through insight
• High levels of understanding of the role of technology and AI across the research process 

Preferred:

• Experience supporting proposal development, pitch materials, or Quarterly Business Reviews
• Experience reviewing work and coaching less experienced research team members
• Experience with research communities and/ or panels

Who we are
SMG is an experience management (XM) partner to many of the world’s leading restaurant, retail, and consumer services brands.  With 30+ years of history under our belt, we pair an AI-native enterprise software platform with unmatched professional services to help organizations generate new revenue, grow existing revenue, reduce detractors, and drive operational efficiencies. Like what you see? Learn more about the company, our purpose and values, and our customer, employee, and brand experience management solutions at www.smg.com.
Our commitment to inclusion: SMG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Location & eligibility: This is a remote role open to candidates located in the UK, subject to work authorization and employment eligibility requirements applicable to the role.