Senior Knowledge and Research Consultant

Purpose/Objective: 

This position is on the Retail Marketing Research team within the Retail Group of Insight & Innovation. The position is responsible for leading research efforts for the Retail Credit and Deposit product groups. Primary responsibilities include working strategically with our Product Management, Product Development, Marketing partners and internal partners to develop and execute research programs that uncover opportunities that can propel business growth.  Lead the development and implementation of the annual research and insight plans for the businesses.  This innovative plan should globally and with each research initiatives seek to uncover, and identify consumer needs, trends, and insights, and translate those into growth opportunities for the lines of business. Manage numerous projects simultaneously, oversee the work of junior researchers, and ensure that quality work products are delivered in a timely manner.  Projects may include a broad range of marketing research projects around brand, advertising, positioning, customer satisfaction, segmentation, customer/channel behavior, market drivers, etc.  Build strong relationships by collaborating with team members, manager and business partners to insure that business/ project goals are met. Develop presentations, supporting materials, spreadsheets and models.  Effectively use standardized presentation formats. Communicate analyses/ research results to relevant partners.

 

Major Responsibilities: 

(30%) Strategy Development – Lead annual and ongoing research and insight planning for specific lines of business.  Continually review customer analysis, research executed by other teams, competitive and industry information as well as program results to proactively identify trends, linkages, levers and untapped opportunities to develop into new/untapped strategic opportunities. Be the customer insight expert for the business. 

 

(30%)  Program Development  –.Manage multiple complex research projects simultaneously, ensuring that consistent, high quality work products are delivered in a timely manner. Combine business insight with superior analytics. Ensure integrity of analyses through rigorous attention to detail and validation of data. Work within Insight & Innovation to leverage leading-edge technology and data-mining techniques to support revenue and profitability goals of the Corporation. Execute and document complex analyses and ongoing processes. Formulate ideas to improve programs and methodologies.

 

(20%)  Project Management – Provide analytic, statistical and technical thought leadership on projects designed for initiatives and programs. Analyze market and demographic data; track and analyze impact of customer acquisition efforts, market trends, customer behavior, etc.  Direct the work efforts of junior consultants. Effectively manage the work effort of virtual teams within/ outside of Insight & Innovation in support of business partner goals and objectives. Combine superior analytics with excellent presentation skills to discover and communicate key findings and articulate strategic implications.  Work in the mind frame of constant improvement, constantly looking for ways to improve processes, increase efficiency and reduce costs.

 

(10%)  Relationships – Within this matrix environment, build strong relationships by collaborating with team members, managers, business partners and vendors to insure that goals are met. Identify and anticipate issues that have company, and/or business partner impact. Develop and recommend solutions. Prepare complex deliverables and deliver to business partner without the need for prior review by manager. Deliver complex presentations understandable to senior audiences; tell and interpret the story, influence the business partner/ outcome.  Work effectively with partners with varying levels of research knowledge.

 

(10%)  Professional Development – Manage direct report(s) in the execution of research programs.  Provide timely feedback and support in the day-to-day project management of research programs. Actively engage in ongoing professional and functional development of direct report(s). 

 

Scope: 

Enable business growth through the development and execution of thoughtful, complex and strategically aligned insight and research plans and programs in support of the Retail Credit and Deposits businesses.  Products supported will include: Retail and Small Business Checking, CDs, Money Market and Regular Savings, Prime Equity Lines, Business Equity Lines, Home Equity Lines and Mortgage Equity Loans). 

 

Skills, Knowledge or Competencies: 

This position needs someone that is a very strategy-oriented researcher – more than just excellent executional abilities, but who can also think and act strategically. 

Demonstrated ability to lead the development, implementation and analysis of market research projects.

Proven track record of interpreting market research data strategically, making actionable recommendations based on the research and translating those recommendations from the research to language that marketers can understand. 

Ability to understand complicated marketing issues and translate them into appropriate market research projects, the results of which will be able to aid significantly in marketing decision making. 

Strong understanding of consumers and consumer trends. 

Full range of experience with recommending, implementing and analyzing a variety of market research methodologies – including both qualitative and quantitative.

Conversant with statistical software packages – SAS or SPSS preferred.

Significant experience with internet-based research methodologies. 

Significant experience with multi-variant methodologies. 

Strong presentation skills.

Some knowledge of financial services – preferably in consumer banking but brokerage and insurance also acceptable.

 

Proven leadership role in highly matrixed organization;

Ability to stretch market research budget dollars to obtain the maximum information with a minimum of dollars.

Ability to handle complexity;

Ability to prioritize numerous initiatives and handle many projects concurrently

Superior project management skills

Strong influencing skills; ability to work with and through others to execute programs

Strong decision making ability

Strong written and oral communication skills

Six Sigma experience a plus

 

Requirements: 

Minimum 10 - 15 years market research experience

2-4 years at a market research vendor a plus

 

Education: 

Completed four-year collegiate undergraduate program in business or marketing 

Graduate degree in business, statistics or marketing preferred