Sr. Associate Qualitative Field Management Operations

Sr. Associate - Qualitative Field Management

About us

We turn customer challenges into growth opportunities. 

Material is a global strategy partner to the world’s most recognizable brands and innovative companies. Our people around the globe thrive by helping organizations design and deliver rewarding customer experiences.

We use deep human insights, design innovation and data to create experiences powered by modern technology. Our approaches speed engagement and growth for the companies we work with and transform relationships between businesses and the people they serve.

About the Sr. Associate - Qualitative Field Management role

As a Sr. Associate - Qualitative Field Management, you will provide end-to-end support for the efficient execution of client projects. Field Managers are the glue that binds together client projects, ensuring accurate costing, budgeting, scheduling and execution for all elements of a client project. Field Managers are accountable for pricing, scheduling, monitoring field and assuring the specifications of projects are met within budget. This role requires a strong understanding of qualitative research methodologies, exceptional organizational and communication skills, and the ability to effectively manage fieldwork operations for multiple complex domestic and international projects simultaneously.

As an Sr. Associate - Qualitative Field Management, you will

• Be involved in multiple projects simultaneously with an increasing level of independence and complexity of project. 
• Collaborate with internal teams and clients to define project specifications 
• Solicit and evaluate bids from potential third-party vendors; ensure thorough briefing on project specifications and client needs 
• Nurture positive relationships with vendors while maintaining a firm position on pricing and service – recognizing when flexibility is appropriate
• Confirm and communicate all project schedules, logistics, and details in writing to project teams
• Visualize projects in terms of “next steps” and potential challenges 
• Identify the causes of project problems and determine alternatives or solutions; implement action plans and communicate to project teams and vendors 
• Manage project recruiting; ensure consistent progress, quality recruits, and workable solutions to challenges 
• Track project budgets and monitor/approve vendor invoices accordingly
• Draft or review/approve every recruitment screening questionnaire (used to recruit market research respondents) based on input from clients and project teams
• Follow client- and project-specific compliance guidelines; create compliance checklists
• Build effective relationships with internal teams, clients and vendors
• Special projects as assigned as well as leadership role and responsibilities as needed
• Enforcing standard operating procedures to establish consistency and efficiency across projects
• Provide support to AVP of Qualitative Field Management on developing standard operating procedures throughout the company and process improvements to increase efficiency in a high growth environment.
• Be an agent of change in constantly identifying new opportunities to enhance the quality of our fieldwork experience and impress our clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Market Research, Social Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, or related field.
• Proven experience of a minimum of 1-2 years in managing qualitative research methodologies, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, and ethnographic studies both domestically and internationally.
• Minimum of 1 year project management experience, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with participants, clients, and internal teams.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a commitment to maintaining data accuracy and quality.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing project requirements.
• Ability to think “outside the box” and recognize when a creative solution may be required for a particular problem; willingness to be flexible and collaborative in determining how to solve a problem or meet a client’s need.
• Capable of working independently with little supervision

Why work for Material?

In addition to fulfilling, high-impact work, company culture and benefits are integral to determining if a job is a right fit for you. Here’s a bit about who we are and highlights around what we offer.

Who We Are & What We Care About

• Material is a global company and we work with best-of-class brands worldwide. We also create and launch new brands and products, putting innovation and value creation at the center of our practice. Our clients are at the top of their class, across industry sectors from technology to retail, transportation, finance and healthcare.
• Material employees join a peer group of exceptionally talented colleagues across the company, the country, and even the world. We develop capabilities, craft and leading-edge market offerings across seven global practices including strategy and insights, design, data & analytics, technology and tracking. Our engagement management team makes it all hum for clients.
• We prize inclusion and interconnectedness. We amplify our impact through the people, perspectives, and expertise we engage in our work. Our commitment to deep human understanding combined with a science & systems approach uniquely equips us to bring a rich frame of reference to our work.
• A community focused on learning and making an impact. Material is an outcomes focused company. We create experiences that matter, create new value and make a difference in people's lives.

What We Offer

In addition to Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and FSA, Material offers:

• A work environment that works best for you. Whether that’s fully remote, in one of our offices, or hybrid.
• Flexible & synchronous time off. We trust our colleagues to take responsibility for and manage their workloads. That’s why we offer Flexible Time Off along with synchronous companywide closures and 11 company holidays.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Every parent deserves to spend the first few months of their new child’s life with them.
• Help planning for your future. We offer 401K match, as well as periodic financial wellness and planning sessions throughout the year

Pay range: $28/hr - $29/hr

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Material. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.

Privacy Statement

Material is committed to protecting privacy in our recruiting processes for all candidates. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. California-resident applicants should also refer to our California-resident Candidate Privacy Statement.

If you need support with a privacy-related matter, please send an email to: [email protected]o