Market Research Manager

As the world’s leading Software Company, Microsoft has pioneered many of the technology innovations that paved the way for the digital information revolution. With products ranging from the Windows operating systems to the Office productivity suite, the Visual Studio suite of developers tools, and the Xbox 360 video game platform, and a broad range of new offerings in high-growth areas including Web-based services, unified communications, search, advertising and much more, Microsoft continues to be the worldwide leader in helping people and businesses realize their full potential. Division:  Central Marketing Group (CMG) Come join the Central Marketing Group (CMG) where CMG has deep relationships across all P&Ls and in countries wherever Microsoft does business. CMG manages strategic insights through market research and brand and marketing strategy; corporate communications, including public relations, analyst relations, and internal communications; and integrated marketing and communications spanning advertising, packaging, relationship marketing, new media communications and production, advertising, and events. CMG is also responsible for training and professional development for marketing professionals and for worldwide business and marketing development. The steward of the company’s global image, CMG provides leadership in all areas of marketing and communications management, in Redmond and around the world. Group:  Corporate Market Research & Insights (CMRI) The CMRI informs critical business decisions by consulting with BG partners in order to provide strategic, research based integrated insights into key business decisions.  CMRI insights help to identify target customers, inform messaging strategies, and set perception change goals in addition to informing value propositions and product development & pricing.  These insights are based on a deep understanding of customers, products, markets, and competitors. CMRI also provides research leadership at Microsoft through the development of research frameworks (ex. Customer Research System), and research norms and standards. Job Description: This position’s primary responsibility is to deliver market research for Online Services, including Windows Live Mail, Messenger, Spaces, Search, and MSN. This research is critical to the foundational understanding of Internet Users to be used across the business for planning and implementing their product development and marketing activities successfully. Specifically, it is used to inform both short- and long-term business decisions, as well as to provide critical metrics for key strategic business reviews (i.e., product satisfaction, customer satisfaction, deployment, usage). The research spans a wide variety of different types of studies including market opportunity analysis, habits and practices research, awareness and perception, and product/customer satisfaction studies. As the Research Manager, you will manage all phases of the study, and you'll provide project direction, design and analysis that will be conducted for the partners, and work with other geographies who will be recipients of this information. You will work closely with other researchers on the team in the execution of studies to keep them informed and to link content with other efforts underway on the team, as well as to synthesize consumer and small business research for the business groups and CMG research. This position will require independent project management, knowledge of tracking studies and other consumer-related research, and analytic and consultative skills in reporting, disseminating and evangelizing of this consumer research. Responsibilities:Internet Users Foundational research projects (approximately 80% of workload):·  Awareness and Tracking Research across Windows Live Mail, Messenger, Spaces, Search, and MSN·  Customer Understanding across Windows Live Mail, Messenger, Spaces, Search, and MSN·  Cross-study Insights Generation (approximately 20% of workload)·  Integrate work across Windows Live Mail, Messenger, Spaces, Search, and MSN·  Integrate work across Windows Client and Windows Live·  Integrate work across the consumer and small business audiences Contacts:This position has contact with Microsoft research managers and directors, research vendors and consultants, Microsoft senior management clients, and occasionally Microsoft customers. Minimum Requirements: Minimum of five year’s experience in market research or directly related profession. Technology industry and consumer experience desirable. Strong research project management experience and quantitative skills required. Applicant must have a demonstrated ability to apply market research in order to produce fact-based business insights and actionable results, as well as a successful track record of working collaboratively with teams and applying consultative skills.  The candidate must have a strong theoretical and practical knowledge of research, in particular the ability to answer business questions by taking metrics, synthesizing data and turning it into actionable business insights. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, analytical, and PowerPoint skills are also required. Demonstrated concise, effective communication both spoken and written.  Education:Bachelor’s degree required (MBA, or MMR a plus) Microsoft offers an excellent benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental, vacation, employee stock purchase plan, and 401k, plus some great extras including: our 24-hour nurse line, stay fit program, product discounts, and paid infant care leave. All part of our commitment to our most important asset: our employees. For more information about life at Microsoft, please visit our careers website. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workforce. ;