Qualitative Research Director

Market Research Consultancy | Automotive Focus

Location: London - 3 days per week in office
Salary: Up to 90k + discretionary bonus
Travel: Regular international travel (Europe & occasional long-haul)

The Opportunity

A growing, boutique market research consultancy is hiring a Qualitative Research Director as part of a broader expansion. T

This is a hands-on senior role in a small, agile team where everyone contributes across the full project lifecycle. You'll have significant client exposure, ownership of projects, and the opportunity to shape how qualitative research is delivered.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end qualitative research projects, particularly within the automotive sector

• Design and deliver studies including:

  • Ethnography (including long in-field sessions)

  • Focus groups

  • Online communities and boards

  • Communications and concept testing

• Work closely with clients on NPD programmes, including multi-year vehicle development

• Write proposals, scope work, cost projects, and manage fieldwork delivery

• Conduct analysis and storytelling, translating insights into clear recommendations

• Manage projects and mentor junior team members where required

• Collaborate with global teams across Europe and North America
  
  

About You

• 7-10+ years' experience in market research with a strong qualitative focus

• Proven experience working on automotive research

• Comfortable in a small, fast-paced consultancy environment

• Experienced across the full research lifecycle: proposal writing → fieldwork → analysis → client delivery

• Strong client-facing skills and confident presenting to senior stakeholders

• Ethnographic research experience highly desirable

• Mixed-methods exposure is a plus, but qualitative is core
  
  

Why Join?

• Work with globally recognised automotive brands

• High level of ownership and visibility in a growing team

• Exposure to international research and travel opportunities

• Backed by a larger marketing group while retaining a boutique feel

• Clear opportunity to influence and shape the function as it scales
  
  

Interview Process

1. First stage: Virtual interview (45-60 mins)

2. Second stage: Short task + presentation to the team

3. Final stage: Brief conversations with senior stakeholders

Find out more and apply via the link below