Qualitative Research Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location: Must be based in the Chicagoland area.

At Curion, We Connect Brands to People. Our expertise and passionate pursuit of insights enable our clients to make informed decisions that drive meaningful impact. Our vision? Advancing the way brands connect to people to build a better future. Our core values: Integrity, Resiliency, Accountability, Curiosity, and Collaboration.

The focus of this Qualitative Research Moderator position is to provide full cycle qualitative research development and management. We’re looking for an energetic, creative, resourceful, and passionate qualitative researcher and moderator.

Responsibilities Include: Own projects from start to finish that involve:

• Lead and moderate in-person qualitative market research across multiple methodologies
• Implement projects so they come off flawlessly for the client
• Use experience and wisdom to create discussion plans that will unearth new and on-strategy insights
• Write reports that are engaging and clear – and when it makes sense – creative
• Lead a wide variety of qualitative methodologies including focus groups, in-depth interviews, shop-alongs, in-homes, online journals, ideation, co-creation workshops and qual/quant multi-methodology projects.
• Demonstrates ability to lead multiple projects with minimal supervision.
• Ability to effectively manage simultaneous moderation, analysis, and report-writing responsibilities
• Strong executive presence with experience leading client-facing meetings and presentations for senior leadership teams
• Proficient in utilizing AI tools to enhance reporting, topline development, and insight generation
• Ability to conduct regular qualitative research moderation in peel-off groups at Deerfield location, and travel as needed to other locations
• Write fresh, inspiring proposals that stand out among our competition
• Recommends qualitative research approaches during proposal development.
• Support client engagement in thought provoking conversations about how to use insights.
• Think about key clients’ businesses, providing value-add, helping us maintain positive relationships over time – and grow our business.
• Consider ways to help Curion be relevant, be unique, be profitable.
• Partners with project manager, account managers, SPI research counterparts and design managers for project. implementation and report writing
• Work with colleagues on an ongoing basis to apply fresh thinking to methodology development and solutions.
• Supports client/ prospect capability calls.
• Takes initiative to advance learning in qualitative research methods and sharing learnings with team members.
• Represents Curion at industry events and speaking engagements

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience conducting in-person in qualitative market research and moderating
• Bachelors in relevant field preferred
• Moderator trained - RIVA or Burke is highly preferred
• Prior experience working within Restaurant or Durables industry (either client or agency side) is highly preferred
• Prior experience utilizing AI tools to enhance reporting, topline development, and insight generation highly preferred
• Demonstrated experience and comfort with qualitative techniques and a hunger for exploring and inventing new ways of doing things every day
• Experience in a service organization or on the client side to be able to demonstrate empathy for our customers and a true heart for exceptional client service
• Excellent business writing skills are essential.

Other Requirements

· Travel to various national/international locations (possibly up to 35%)

For Curion’s Qualitative Research Moderator position, we offer a starting salary pay range of $85,000-$95,000 plus bonus eligibility based on the qualifications and experience of each individual. Curion offers a benefits package for this position which includes:

• 401(k) retirement account with company match
• Health, dental, vision, basic life, short and long-term disability, accident insurance, critical insurance, pet insurance, and more.
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Company paid holidays

Curion is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.

About the company

Curion specializes in delivering impactful insights to the world's top CPG companies, helping them develop winning, repeatedly purchased products. Curion’s deep data-driven product insights, sensory expertise, and state-of-the-art consumer centers enable them to uncover responses to critical client objectives. With over five decades of experience in the product testing industry, Curion is dedicated to guiding clients with their proprietary Product Experience and Performance (PXP™) platform, connecting brands to consumers at every step.

As an innovator in the industry, Curion recently developed a groundbreaking benchmarking product testing method, the Curion Score™, which has become a trusted and sought after tool within the industry. As one of the largest product and consumer insights companies in the U.S., Curion has built a reputation for excellence and trust among the world's leading consumer brands. Curion’s commitment to innovation and expertise, coupled with a passion for delivering actionable insights, makes Curion a valuable partner for companies looking to develop and launch successful products.