Vice President, Industry and Consumer Insights

Description

The National Retail Federation is a trade association that advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.  

General Function

Working with the Executive Director of Research, this person will actively seek to elevate the role of the research function at NRF, amplifying its relevance and advancing the NRFs reputation as a leading purveyor of high quality, impactful and actionable insights for retailers and other NRF constituencies.
The Vice President will lead the generation of high-value, data-driven insights into consumer behavior and key industry trends, using survey-based research as well partnering with internal and external stakeholders to develop a range of industry-relevant research studies.
This individual will also serve as a highly visible spokesperson for the organization, translating research into compelling narratives for the media, member audiences, and policymakers.

Essential Functions 

Research Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Partner closely with the Executive Director of Research to shape and execute a forward-looking research agenda that aligns with organizational priorities and member needs.
• Strengthen and evolve existing research programs, including consumer surveys, industry benchmarking, and trend analysis, ensuring methodological rigor and practical relevance.
• Identify, design, and launch new research initiatives and data products that expand the organization’s insights portfolio and impact, balancing innovation with resource constraints.
• Continuously evaluate the research portfolio to optimize output, prioritize high-impact projects, and ensure efficient allocation of internal and external resources.
• Oversee relationships with external research vendors and partners, managing scope, quality, timelines, and budgets.

Consumer & Industry Insights Development

• Lead the development of insights into consumer behavior, attitudes, and spending patterns.
• Monitor and analyze key retail industry trends, structural shifts, and emerging developments, translating complex data into clear and actionable insights.
• Synthesize consumer, industry, and economic research into authoritative reports, briefs, presentations, and talking points tailored for multiple audiences.
• Ensure research outputs support the organization’s strategic objectives and reinforce its position as a leading source of retail and consumer insight.

Media, Public Presence & Thought Leadership

• Serve as a primary media spokesperson on consumer and retail industry trends, participating regularly in TV, radio, digital, and print interviews.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, member meetings, and external events, delivering compelling, data-driven presentations.
• Work collaboratively with the communications team to translate research findings into narratives that resonate with broad and specialized audiences.
• Build and maintain credibility as a trusted expert among journalists, analysts, industry leaders, and partner organizations.

Advocacy-Supporting Research

• Develop research and insights that support the organization’s advocacy agenda by clearly illustrating the economic and consumer impacts of public policy decisions.
• Create data-driven narratives and evidence that help policymakers understand the retail industry’s role in the economy and the implications of proposed legislation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure research is timely, relevant, and persuasive in legislative and regulatory discussions.

People Leadership & Operations 

• Lead, manage, and develop high-performing research team members.
• Set clear team priorities and operating rhythms to ensure on-time delivery and consistent quality across a portfolio of concurrent research initiatives.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for relevant portfolios and use results to continuously improve relevance and ROI.
• Own the research function operating budget, including planning, forecasting, and vendor spend management, ensuring effective allocation of resources and measurable return on investment.

Requirements

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, sociology, statistics, marketing research, or a related discipline required.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in consumer insights, industry research, economic analysis, or a related field, including leadership experience setting strategy, leading teams managing complex research portfolios, and driving enterprise-wide impact.
• Deep understanding of the retail industry and the consumer, economic, regulatory, and public policy dynamics shaping it, with the ability to translate sector developments into strategic insight for members, leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the design and execution of rigorous research, interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data, and convert findings into clear, actionable insights that inform executive decision-making, member engagement, and advocacy strategy.
• Exceptional writing, editorial, and content development skills, with experience producing high-quality reports and executive briefings. 
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a public-facing spokesperson, with executive presence and experience representing an organization in media interviews, member forums, conferences, and other high-visibility settings.
• Strategic and enterprise-minded leader with the ability to set long-term direction, prioritize effectively across competing demands, and align research investments with organizational goals, member value, and external impact.
• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with the credibility and judgment to work effectively with senior executives, association members, board-level stakeholders, external partners, media, and policymakers.
• Highly collaborative and self-directed, with sound judgment, strong attention to detail, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Advanced degree in economics, public policy, business, statistics, or a related field, strongly preferred. 
• Experience developing research and evidence-based narratives that support public policy, advocacy, or government affairs priorities, ideally within a trade association or other mission-driven, externally engaged organization, strongly preferred.

Location: Washington, D.C. (In-office 3 days a week) 

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit an application with their resume and cover letter.

National Retail Federation (NRF) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This applies to all employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, pay, promotion, development, and termination.