Lead Associate, Market Research: Brand & Thought Leadership

Description

The Lead Associate, Market Research directs a variety of market evaluation and research projects. You will oversee projects that help create a competitive advantage for the Protective brand, and deliver consumer & financial professional insights, product design implications, qualified marketing concepts and recommendations for improvements. You are responsible for developing and implementing research strategies and methodologies, identifying research objectives, and analyzing the research findings to help the business make informed decisions.

Responsibilities:

Primary Market Research Development and Execution – Leads the market research process, including providing guidance to team members and stakeholders on various research methodologies, research study design (qualitative and quantitative) and project management techniques that produce high-quality deliverables and support our ability to use research to have business impact. Directs research execution, analysis and presentation of key insights and recommendations to stakeholders. Manages a system to track participant compensation to ensure the company stays within legal and distributor guidelines.

Brand & Thought Leadership – Develops and maintains consistent ongoing brand and Loyalty (NPS) measurement programs by line of business and customer segment with standardized tracking and reporting. Supports marketing and campaign strategy through research and analysis. Leads studies intended to position Protective as a thought leader.

Market Trends – Research new markets or new areas of the market to discover new or enhanced existing offerings. Develops methods for obtaining and maintaining data necessary for research and determine the appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques for analysis. Performs deep analysis and simulations of financial markets. Analyzes indirect competition and evolving customer, technological, and regulatory trends.

Secondary Research – Oversees the tracking, procuring, and synthesizing of secondary research to inform key business initiatives and address the learning needs of the business. Leads the relationship with existing vendors and identify new resources to assist with market research objectives. Ensures organized and efficient access to secondary data.

Strategic Advisor – Develops relationships with key stakeholders including Product Development, Sales Distribution, New Business/Operations, and other teams. Develops learning agenda in collaboration with stakeholders and ensures alignment of learning agenda to broader strategic priorities. Listens to stakeholders, understands their research needs, and drives value for the business through research acumen.

Vendor Management – Manages current market research supplier relationships. Investigates and onboards new suppliers as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned

Strives to develop and drive initiatives that align with key corporate values:

Do the Right Thing

Serve People

Build Trust

Aspire for Better

Qualifications:

10+ years’ experience in market research and/or market analytics. Financial services industry experience highly considered.

Bachelor’s degree required; relevant advanced degrees, executive education, and industry designations or licenses are preferred.

Proven ability to lead team-based research projects, including managing scope, schedule and budget.

Facility with a mix of research methodologies. Demonstrated ability to identify key insights by connecting disparate information sources and to translate insights into actionable recommendations.

Proven ability to collaborate across business functions to gain trust and influence outcomes. Strong track record working with stakeholders to communicate research methods and findings.

Strong understanding of industry products, competitors, distribution channels, and marketplace dynamics.

Results-focused, high degree of accountability.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to communicate across all levels of the organization and be comfortable providing training and presentations.

Excellent interpersonal and relationship skills.

Highly motivated, extremely organized, and able to independently manage multiple projects.

Protective’s targeted salary range for this position is $110,000 - 140,000. Actual salaries may vary depending on factors, including but not limited to, job location, skills, and experience. The range listed is just one component of Protective’s total compensation package for employees.

This position also offers additional incentive opportunities through an annual incentive based on individual and Company performance.