Director, Retail Client Solutions (RCS)

Responsibilities:The Director, Retail Client Solutions (RCS) will play a key role in the continuing transformation of IRI and the transformation that IRI is enabling across the retail industry with new innovations.  The Director will work closely with internal and external clients to identify key business opportunities and consultatively address those issues with world-class IRI solutions. Key focus areas include: -  Build and strengthen relationships with key client contacts at all levels within the designated accounts: Family Dollar, Harris Teeter, Bi-Lo, Lowe’s Foods, others as needed.-  Understand the clients internal objectives/issues and deliver solutions against those – value creation.-  Drive revenue by aligning IRI’s products and services with the clients’ objectives.-  Secure and maintain data contracts with assigned retail clients.-  Work closely with the internal IRI team and subject-matter-experts aligned against the accounts/solution areas.   The balance of his/her time will be roughly split between traditional account management and working with internal IRI cross functional teams. The Director will work closely with individuals from across the IRI organization including: the Decisions Solution Group (software), Client Solutions (supports CPG manufacturers), the Analytic Insights Group (household panel, modeling and testing) and IRI’s Global Operations center in Bangalore, India.   The Director will draw upon his/her expansive knowledge of the retail domain and IRI’s growing portfolio of over 40 custom and standard retail solutions to identify and address critical client business issues in the areas of Merchandising, Pricing, Promotion, Assortment and Customer Loyalty.  While setting and exceeding ambitious revenue commitments is essential, success is equally measured by the ability to form long-lasting client partnerships that result in a meaningful impact on client strategy and a strong return-on-investment to IRI. Other responsibilities include: - Work closely with Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturers and assigned retailers to optimize retailer/manufacturer partnerships- Serve as an energetic team builder, mentor and leader Requirements: - Eight or more years of retail-oriented sales experience.  Fast-Moving-Consumer-Goods (FMCG) experience is ideal, hard goods or soft goods experience is acceptable.  Experience must be in one or more of the environments below:- Software—Sales, Pre-Sales (e.g., Demand Tec, Retek, JDA)- Consulting (e.g., Bearing Point, Accenture, IBM)- CPG manufacturer (e.g., Hormel, General Mills)- Market research supplier (e.g., IRI, ACNielsen, NPD, Catalina)- Strong working knowledge of category management, ACBP or SCOP- Proven experience hiring, mentoring and developing direct reports - Ability to deliver actionable insight to internal or external clients using a strong working knowledge of IRI, NPD or ACNielsen data/tools.  Panel experience is a plus- Proven ability to add structure to ambiguous/dynamic environments- History of delivering commitments on-time without excuses- A proven track-record of, and hunger for, exceeding revenue and profitability goals- A take-charge individual, able to balance strong process skills with a “get it done now” orientation—ability to make decisions without 100% of the facts Education:Undergraduate required. Advanced degree preferred.  Compensation:IRI will provide a comprehensive compensation package including salary and benefits, and participation in the 2008 Bonus Plan.  IRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer