Does the idea of working in a fast-paced agency environment excite you? Are you the type who can study industries and market conditions in the morning and then translate the data into insights in the afternoon? If so, this position may have your name written all over it.

mdg, A Freeman Company is a marketing and professional services agency with head, heart and a passion for what we do — delivering measurable results for association and event clients in diverse categories like education, healthcare, technology, energy, cupcakes, cheese curls and craft beer (we’ll explain those last three later). With a 46-year track record of success, mdg was named a “Best Place to Work” by Meetings & Conventions magazine. We’re now seeking a senior director of research & insights to join the collaborative team in our Washington, DC area office.

The Senior Director, Research & Insights will be responsible for advancing the agency’s research and insights practice serving the association and event industry. The Senior Director will work alongside the Senior Director, Insights & Data Marketing Strategy to support data analysis through the development and execution of research strategy, quantitative, qualitative, and secondary research. Collectively, the work of this department informs decisions such as launch event feasibility, brand positioning, product development, pricing, event location, registration goalsetting, new market/audience growth strategy, etc.

Responsibilities:

Product/Process Oversight and Development

• Use an agile approach to ensure innovation in research delivery methods/formats that address project needs, especially related to surveys and opinion research methods.
• Develop products and services that scale well while ensuring profitability.
• Ensure that all research is conducted through the focused lens specific to the association and events industry—including benchmarking and data analysis that accounts for nuances in event attendance and member-based behaviors.
• Develop a process committed to delivering actionable insights from research and measurement through a narrated data story.
• Work with leadership and project management team to ensure proactive plan in place for staffing and resourcing.

Client Service and Research Consulting

• Lead the development and serve as a champion for a research process aligned with the department vision.
• Conduct in-depth market research and analysis to identify trends, audience needs, competitor actitivy and opportunity for growth.
• Analyze and interpret research data, synthesize findings, and provide insights to stakeholders via reports and presentations.
• Use data and analystics tools to create reports and visualizations that clearly communicate insihts.
• Play a key role in client persona development and buyer journey mapping process, specifically leading primary and secondary research elements.
• Synthesize large amounts of discovery information and succinctly surface key insights.
• Develop and lead client research engagements ensuring work products fulfill the stated goals and meet or exceed client expectations.
• Serve as a strategic partner to clients by providing insights that help to answer questions and address challenges.
• Lead client onboarding, discovery, and synthesis of findings into key insights for clients.
• Facilitate dynamic discussions with clients and relevant stakeholders in formal meetings, informal working sessions and other venues as needed.
• Identify, develop and align project themes and opportunities to recommendations that address key client challenges.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or public administration, marketing research, survey research or other relevant field, or equivalent combination.
• Minimum 7-10 years in market research, management, and market research products and services.
  
• Association or events industry experience preferred.
• Experience in surveys, including questionnaire development and gathering actionable insights from data.
• Knowledge of web-based survey software systems.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize information into PowerPoint reports.
• Excellent verbal communication and listening skills.
• Ability to guide, direct and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to understand client needs and match to appropriate research solution.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving abilities.
• Strong analytical approach to problem solving.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in teams.
• Excellent organizational skills

At mdg, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our clients and our communities can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws.

mdg also offers a competitive benefits package including medical, 401k, and profit sharing contributions.

Job Type = Hybrid (Remote, In-Office, or Hybrid)