Senior research director

YouGov is seeking an accomplished market research professional with deep expertise in custom quantitative research for clients across Technology, AI, Digital Entertainment, and Gaming.

As a Senior Research Director, you will serve as a senior leader within YouGov's Custom Technology Research team, leading complex ad hoc and tracking research programs while acting as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders.

This role requires someone who is equally comfortable operating at strategic and tactical levels, combining executive-level client consulting with detailed, hands-on ownership of research design, field management, data analysis, quality control, reporting, and delivery.

You will also play an important role in growing existing client relationships, supporting new business opportunities, and helping shape the continued growth of YouGov's Technology research practice.

This position reports to the leader of YouGov's Custom Technology team in Portland, Oregon. Fully remote candidates located within North America and/or where YouGov has offices may be considered.

What You'll Do

• Lead end-to-end quantitative research engagements, from proposal development and study design through questionnaire development, fieldwork, analysis, reporting, and presentation of findings.
• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while balancing quality, timelines, budgets, and client expectations.
• Serve as the senior day-to-day contact and strategic advisor for client research programs.
• Translate business challenges into research objectives, actionable insights, and recommendations that drive decision-making.
• Build and grow client relationships through exceptional delivery, consultative partnership, and identification of new opportunities.
• Support business development through proposal writing, study design, pricing, and solution development.
• Develop insight-driven reports and presentations that transform complex findings into compelling business narratives.
• Partner with internal analytics and Marketing Science teams to apply and interpret advanced methodologies such as segmentation, driver modeling, MaxDiff, conjoint, and pricing research.
• Contribute to thought leadership and deepen YouGov's expertise across Technology, AI, Gaming, and Digital Entertainment sectors.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of supplier-side custom market research experience, including substantial experience leading both ad hoc and tracking studies.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex research engagements from proposal and pricing through final delivery.
• Extensive experience serving as a senior client advisor and managing multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Deep expertise in survey-based quantitative research, including questionnaire design, project management, data interpretation, and insight development.
• Experience applying a broad range of research solutions, including brand tracking, concept testing, segmentation, positioning, customer experience, pricing, and market opportunity studies.
• Strong understanding of advanced research methodologies such as segmentation, MaxDiff, conjoint/discrete choice, pricing research, driver modeling, and related approaches.
• Note: Direct execution of advanced analytical techniques is not required, as these are often conducted in partnership with specialized Marketing Science colleagues. However, candidates should be comfortable recommending methodologies, interpreting results, translating outputs into business implications, and presenting findings to clients.
• Ability to translate complex findings into compelling, story-based executive narratives, recommendations, and business implications.
• Experience conducting research within technology markets, including consumer and/or business technology products and services, among both B2C audiences and B2B decision-makers (e.g., IT and business stakeholders).
• Familiarity with AI-related products, markets, and business challenges.
• Strong client management, communication, project management, multitasking, analytical, and storytelling skills.
• Experience mentoring junior team members and collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with PowerPoint, Google Slides, Excel, Word, and SPSS.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with R or similar analytical and visualization tools.
• Experience incorporating AI tools into research and workflow processes.
• Previous people management experience.
• Experience with qualitative or mixed-method research.
• Demonstrated interest in or knowledge of technology, digital entertainment, and gaming markets.
• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline.

What Success Looks Like

Successful candidates combine strong research expertise, commercial awareness, intellectual curiosity, and client leadership. They move comfortably between executive client conversations and detailed, hands-on project execution while consistently delivering high-quality work that strengthens client relationships and drives growth for both clients and YouGov.

For roles based in California, New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, or Washington State, the base salary hiring range for this position is $110,000 - 160,000 USD. Compensation offered will be determined by multiple factors including location, job-related knowledge, skills and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation and additional benefits.

All US based full time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• Paid vacation, holidays and sick days
• Flexible working arrangement available
• Group medical, dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) with company match

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Why join YouGov?

Join our global team to help us achieve our social mission: to make millions of people’s opinions heard for the benefit of our local, national, and international communities.

Understanding diversity of opinion requires diversity of background. Although our global panel of millions of people worldwide powers our research, our biggest asset is our people. If our research is to be truly representative of what the world thinks, we need people from all walks of life to be part of the team to bring their perspective to the work we do.

Life at YouGov

We are driven by a set of shared values. We are fast, fearless, and innovative. We work diligently to get it right. We are guided by accuracy, ethics, and proven methodologies. We respect and trust each other, bringing these values into everything that we do.

We strive to provide YouGovers with best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. We want our employees to have a sense of belonging and uniqueness in a supportive workplace, so they can bring their full selves to work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, HIV status, political affiliation, socioeconomic background, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or in line with our responsibilities as a fair and ethic employer. All employment decisions are made based on occupational qualifications, merit, and business need.

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