Operations Research Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Overview

Shapiro+Raj is the largest certified minority business enterprise insights and inspiration company in North America. Our mission is to help Fortune 500 clients find new and different ways to grow their brands in today's continually reshaping landscape. We have integrated behavioral science principles with battle-tested brand marketing experience to creatively connect the dots between what consumers think, feel, say, and do. The results are powerful commercially viable insights that identify new pathways for growth. With offices in the heart of Chicago and New York, we are evolving to become one of the most desired market research consultancies in the world.

The Market Research Manager position at Shapiro+Raj is an excellent opportunity for experienced market research professionals to apply their advanced quantitative and qualitative skills in our world of consumer insights and brand strategy. With offices in the heart of Chicago and New York, we are evolving to become one of the most desired market research consultancies in the world. As a manager, you will be a leader in a collaborative, client-centric environment. This position is primarily responsible for leading custom research projects on behalf of clients to utilize for strategic planning purposes. This position is mentored by directors and works closely with the various facets of Shaprio+Raj in a dynamic role.

This will be a hybrid role. We are hiring in our Chicago, IL office location.

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities and accountabilities will include, but may not be limited to the below:

Core responsibilities

• Leads all phases of research with support from senior team members, including project set-up, methodological design, fieldwork, analysis, and reporting (both qualitative and quantitative).
• Cultivates and extends existing client relationships and helps to grow key client accounts by delivering the highest quality client service and deliverables.
• Becomes a knowledge expert and critical client contact.
• Works independently to understand background information relevant to research topics.
• Crafts proposals, including research objectives, scope, and budgets.
• Leads the strategic design of qualitative discussion guides and quantitative survey instruments.
• Oversees data collection including observation and note-taking of qualitative research interviews; and/or testing online surveys and monitoring data collection of quantitative studies.
• Conducts qualitative and quantitative analyses, including compiling, coding, tabulating, content analysis, auditing, and verification of data to determine key findings, identifies and highlights most important drivers for significant differences, and helps to develop recommendations.
• Develops conclusions and implications based on research findings.
• Delivers client-ready reports with findings, implications, opportunities, and recommendations.
• Contributes strategic thinking and actionable client solutions, including creating strategies for clients to be reviewed and supported by Senior Executives.
• Coordinates with team members, specialists, moderators, and Directors in project execution
• Manages projects including budget responsibility.

Professional Responsibilities

• Directly manages at least one Executive or Associate. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Demonstrate the highest level of professionalism through qualities such as timeliness, reliability, demeanor, written and verbal correspondence, and ethics.
• Communicate effectively with your assigned team and other staff within the organization; accept and apply critiques and suggestions to daily work in an effort to become more productive and/or efficient.
• Uphold the Shapiro+Raj Employee Guidelines in an ethical manner as a representative of the organization.
• Familiarity with using AI tools to identify themes in qualitative data and generate initial insights for further investigation.
• Experience using Large Language Models (ChatGPT, Claude, or similar tools) to support research activities, including developing discussion guides, survey instruments, and analysis frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively prompt AI systems for qualitative analysis while maintaining methodological rigor.

Accountability

• Maintaining and leading key relationships within client accounts contributing to account growth.
• The operational and financial quality of projects along with the integrity of data and quality of reporting.
• Quality of leadership and the success of your team.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year College or university equivalent plus 5+ years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master's degree (M.A.) is highly desired.

Base Salary Range (US)

$85,000 - $100,000

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 4/5 premium coverage to be covered by the employer
• Health Spend Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spend Account (FSA)
• Paid time off + company holidays
• Quarterly Companywide Wellness Days
• Monthly Recharge Fridays (No meetings)
• 401K Program
• Regular interactive employee events

Non-Contributory Benefits - Employer Paid:

• Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability (STD)
• Long Term Disability (LTD)

Shapiro+Raj is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Shapiro+Raj does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is our intention that all qualified applications are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Shapiro+Raj is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment. If you are interested in this opportunity but do not meet 100% of the listed qualifications, we still encourage you to apply!