Job Description

Chief Operating Officer - Market Research Firm (New York or Chicago)

Company Description
A global insights firm with nearly 50 years of experience in the technology, healthcare, CPG, financial services, and automotive industries. The company\xe2\x80\x99s success is largely driven by its expertise in deeply analytical decision behavior research that leverages advanced techniques such as choice-modeling, segmentation, and market assessments. Most important, is the firm\xe2\x80\x99s strongly held corporate culture that genuinely supports the associates as part of a well-functioning team with a priority of life-balance and collaboration. As the COO, you are the firm\xe2\x80\x99s primary leader with the responsibility to lead the associates and represent the firm to our clients. The COO will report directly to the CEO and will participate in the firm\xe2\x80\x99s Global leadership. Your primary responsibilities are to:

• Lead Operations \xe2\x80\x93 this will include and understanding of the overall P&L along with specific knowledge of large-scale programs and client relationships; put in place processes for reviewing programs that are not meeting expected outcomes (profitability, staffing, delivery) and developing systems/processes that will bring those projects within desired specifications.
• Contribute to US Strategy \xe2\x80\x93 by working across industries and client teams, provide strategic direction to the management team and the anticipated operational, technology and service needs of our clients; will include understanding the offer in the broader market, competitive assessment and unique selling proposition; s et the vision and strategy for the region.
• Provide Sales Support \xe2\x80\x93 provide insight, expertise, collateral and support to all client leads need material support in sales presentations and/or RFP responses; this will include responses to questions about our technique/approach, partner platform capabilities, Operations capabilities, Privacy Policy, Security Policy/Requirements, Project Management ideology/process and the tools available for the pitch/RFP process; role will be expected to also support through providing technology demonstrations and be able to present overall capabilities, and viewpoint as an executive sponsor for the presentation; g ive direction to the growth of the region; r ealize the regional financial KPI\xe2\x80\x99s; b uild strategic partnerships with our largest clients.
• Enhance Team Spirit, inspire, motivate, and empower the people to contribute to the firm\'s ambitious direction; specifically, lead the regional leadership team; coach and manage the team members individually; provide guidance and leadership that steers the US expertise leaders to coordinate the regional development.

Primary Qualifications We are actively seeking a leader with the following profile:

• Outstanding leadership and people management skills; the corporate culture is egalitarian and collaborative based on inspiring, empowering and developing team members
• Demonstrated track-record of creating synergy in the work-place, based on collaboration
• Global thought process and mindset - committed and eager to collaborate with teams around the globe
• Willing to travel to clients and other office locations within the US and outside the US for leadership meetings several times a year
• At least 15 years of relevant working experience with 5 or more years of success in a key leadership role
• Solid grasp of the insights space with a thorough understanding of market research techniques and the ever changing dynamics of the market research industry
• High degree of knowledge and familiarity with current trends and developments in insights within the North American markets