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Qualitative Research Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MarketOnce

Qualitative Research Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

In this role, you will be working closely with the Sr. Director of Custom Research, various ... Design qualitative research studies for clients across a wide variety of industries * * Note: these ...

Echelon Insights

Research Team Roles

Alexandria, VA · On-site

Our Research Directors coordinate with our senior-most staff to execute qualitative and quantitative projects from start to finish -- from proposal to research design and development to analysis and ...

Echelon Insights

Research Team Roles

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

Our Research Directors coordinate with our senior-most staff to execute qualitative and quantitative projects from start to finish - from proposal to research design and development to analysis and ...

Kantar

Director, Qualitative Program Management

Director, Qualitative Program Management Location: REMOTE (CT, RI, MA, NJ, NY, PA, Est zone) We are ... Connect research activities to broader business objectives, strategic priorities, growth ...

New

Princeton University

Research Director

Princeton, NJ · On-site

$138K - $154K/yr

Demonstrated expertise in conducting and managing both quantitative and qualitative research ... Direct experience designing or overseeing participatory research models that actively engage ...

Princeton University

Research Director

Princeton, NJ · On-site +1

Demonstrated expertise in conducting and managing both quantitative and qualitative research ... Direct experience designing or overseeing participatory research models that actively engage ...

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Qualitative Research Director information

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$57.5K

$191.3K

$230.5K

How much do qualitative research director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for qualitative research director in the United States is $191,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,500.00 and $229,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a qualitative research director do?

A Qualitative Research Director leads and oversees qualitative research projects, such as focus groups, interviews, and ethnographic studies, to gain deep insights into human behavior, attitudes, and motivations. They are responsible for designing research methodologies, managing research teams, analyzing qualitative data, and presenting findings to clients or stakeholders. Their role is crucial in informing strategic decisions for businesses, nonprofits, or academic institutions by providing context-rich, detailed understanding of target audiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a qualitative research director?

A Qualitative Research Director needs expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and a strong academic background, often with a master's or PhD in social sciences or related fields. Familiarity with qualitative data analysis software like NVivo, Atlas.ti, or MAXQDA, as well as experience in managing research projects, is typically required. Excellent leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills help in guiding teams and engaging with stakeholders. These competencies ensure rigorous, insightful research outcomes that drive organizational decision-making and innovation.

How does a qualitative research director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a research project?

As a Qualitative Research Director, collaboration with cross-functional teams is a central part of the role. You will regularly work with product managers, designers, data analysts, and marketing professionals to ensure research findings are aligned with business objectives. This involves leading workshops, presenting insights, and facilitating discussions to translate qualitative data into actionable strategies. Effective communication and the ability to synthesize complex feedback are key to fostering alignment and driving impactful decisions across the organization.

What is the difference between Qualitative Research Director vs Quantitative Research Manager?

AspectQualitative Research DirectorQuantitative Research Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Market Research, Sociology, or related field; experience in qualitative methodsBachelor's or Master's in Statistics, Market Research, or related field; experience in quantitative methods
Work EnvironmentLeads qualitative research teams, designs focus groups, interviews, and ethnographiesOversees quantitative data collection, surveys, and statistical analysis
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in marketing, consumer insights, and social research firmsCommon in market research agencies, consulting firms, and corporate analytics

The main difference between a Qualitative Research Director and a Quantitative Research Manager lies in their focus areas. The director specializes in qualitative methods like interviews and ethnographies, while the manager handles quantitative data and statistical analysis. Both roles require research experience but differ in techniques and leadership scope.

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Qualitative Research Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Qualitative Research Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $191,320 per year, or $92 per hour.

Qualitative Research Manager

Boston, MA • On-site

MarketOnce
Business Management Consulting • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about MarketOnceexternal

$100K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

At MarketOnce, we empower businesses with the insights and strategies they need to excel in today's dynamic market. With a strong foundation in market research, we offer innovative solutions in research, software, consulting, advertising, and marketing to corporate, private equity firms, and other organizations seeking to achieve their goals.
Our team is distinguished by their client-centric approach-treating each client's business with the dedication and care as if it were their own. This commitment enables us to deliver personalized service and achieve the highest standards of success and innovation in everything we do. Together, our family of companies, including MarketOnce, ROI Rocket, and eAccountable, work towards delivering unparalleled solutions. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, our global team collaborates from locations across the US and Europe.
We value curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and expertise, continuously striving to push boundaries and exceed our clients' expectations. Join us to be part of a culture that drives meaningful results.
About the Opportunity:
We're seeking a seasoned qualitative research manager to design qualitative studies, develop discussion guides, moderate, analyze and synthesize transcripts and video, and report results with an emphasis on storytelling. A thorough understanding of qualitative research techniques, tools, processes, and procedures is essential. You must have strong interpersonal and organizational skills and be detail-oriented, flexible and above all, collaborative.
The range of duties includes but is not limited to designing qualitative studies of varying complexity, i.e., studies ranging from a handful of in-depth interviews to multi-market, multi-method programs; developing discussion guides; moderating in-depth interviews and focus groups, in-person and online; analyzing and synthesizing transcripts and video; and reporting findings with a focus on impactful storytelling. Above all, the person in this position must be exceptional at translating clients' business objectives into creative and effective qualitative research designs - and, when moderating, at getting beyond simple, direct questioning through the use of projective techniques, visual exercises and similar approaches to capture the underlying dynamics that shape attitudes and behavior.
In this role, you will be working closely with the Sr. Director of Custom Research, various Research Directors and Managers, and the Director of Marketing Sciences as well as various Data Analysts and Publishing department personnel
What You'll Do:
  • Design qualitative research studies for clients across a wide variety of industries
    • Note: these projects will vary not only by industry, but also by general approach (IDIs, in-person and online focus groups, online communities/bulletin boards, ethnographies, shop-alongs, etc.) and project type (exploratory/discovery, concept and message testing, journey mapping, positioning, persona development, etc.)
  • Translate client business objectives into creative, effective qualitative research designs
  • Develop discussion guides that move beyond direct questioning - incorporating projective techniques, visual and enabling exercises, and other approaches to surface underlying motivations and dynamics
  • Moderate in-depth interviews and focus groups, in person and over the internet, with skill, warmth and adaptability
  • Analyze and synthesize transcripts and video to identify the themes, tensions and insights that matter most to the business question
  • Report qualitative findings in PPT and other formats (memos, white papers, video reels, etc.) with an emphasis on storytelling
  • Select and manage qualitative vendors and facilities, and oversee recruiting against target specifications
  • Lead discussions and debriefings with clients in person or over the internet
  • Provide professional development training for colleagues/junior staff
  • Develop and present webinars for clients/prospects

What We're Looking For:
  • 5+ years of relevant experience in qualitative research with a demonstrable track record of high performance
  • A portfolio of past work you can share - including discussion guides, video clips and reports (redacted as necessary to preserve client confidentiality)
  • A demonstrated ability to translate business objectives into creative and effective qualitative research designs
  • Mastery of moderation, including projective techniques, visual and enabling exercises, and other methods for getting beyond surface responses to capture underlying dynamics
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, manage, and effectively deliver on multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment
  • A dynamic personality with excellent client-handling and presentation skills
  • Strong storytelling and reporting skills, with fluency in PowerPoint as well as a sense of how best to leverage AI
  • Experience with qualitative analysis and transcription/video tools a plus
  • Superior customer focus, and willingness to work evenings and weekends if needed to support our clients
  • A can-do, positive and collaborative attitude, with a willingness to support the development of team members across the organization

What We Offer:
  • Competitive base salary: $100,000-$120,000/year
  • Flexible vacation policy - take the time you need to recharge
  • Comprehensive health, vision & dental insurance
  • 401k with company contribution
  • Beautiful downtown Denver or Back Bay office with company-paid commuter benefits (parking or MBTA/RTD EcoPass)

What to Expect:
  • 1st Round: 30-45 minute interview with the Recruiter
  • 2nd Round: 60-minute interview with the Hiring Manager
  • 3rd Round: 2 hours of onsite interviews with the Hiring Team

Please note that we are fully onsite work environment, and require daily presence at our LoDo/Union Station or Back Bay (Boston) office. We are not considering remote, hybrid, or out-of-area candidates, and do not work with outside recruiting agencies.
MarketOnce will accept applications for this role on an ongoing basis.
MarketOnce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are committed to hiring individuals based on their skills and qualifications, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

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