Manager, Primary Research

Economist Impact, a business unit within The Economist Group combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. Our evidence-based insights open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress.

Economist Impact is looking for a London-based Manager, Primary Research to support high-quality client-sponsored research projects across the themes of sustainability, health and the changing shape of globalisation. This is a key client-facing role on an entrepreneurial, high-growth, global Policy & Insights team. The ideal candidate should have a keen interest in addressing pressing questions on global public policy themes and connecting these to commercial initiatives.

The Manager, Primary Research leads the quantitative primary research components of Policy & Insights projects across our EMEA offices from proposal development through to final deliverables. The role partners directly with external clients, survey vendors, internal project managers, editors and analysts to shape survey methodology, scope, questionnaire design, and analysis. This includes managing/directing internal support teams who are responsible for the implementation of the research (survey programming, fielding and data tabulations) as well as external field partners.

How you will contribute: 

Business development: Collaborate with internal teams to design, scope, and price methodologically defensible research designs to win new business at RFP/proposal stage

Research execution: Lead end-to-end survey development process, from ideation to fieldwork management to results reporting, working closely with Policy & Insights research colleagues in a collaborative environment

Analysis: Translate complex data outputs into clear, compelling storylines that integrate with research modalities (including secondary and qualitative); provide consultation on the development of client-facing deliverables including whitepapers, blog posts, presentations, etc.

• Proven primary research experience, particularly in quantitative/survey research
• End-to-end experience with producing quantitative research (proposal development, survey writing, sample planning, field management, testing programmed surveys, data validation, analysing results, report writing, presenting results)
• Knowledge of various research methods (sampling, weighting, stratification, etc.), methodologies (clustering, maxdiff, Van Westendorp, etc.) and appropriate applications for data analysis
• Experience working directly with market research industry standard tools (Qualtrics, Confirmit, SPSS, Wincross, Stata, PowerBI, Tableau, Decipher, Usertesting, etc.)
• Entrepreneurial focus to thrive within a high-growth environment; ability to manage multiple fast-faced projects
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
• Commercial acumen and direct client-facing experience
• Capability to balance client demands with quality and integrity, including a commitment to Economist Impact’s editorial independence
• Background running studies with a wide variety of various target audiences (B2B and B2C)

Desired:

• Direct sector knowledge or graduate degree in sustainability, public policy, health, tech/digitization, innovation, and/or economics
• Experience with brand studies
• Experience providing inputs into indicator frameworks and/or economic models
• Experience with qualitative research design, including moderation techniques
• Working knowledge of qualitative research software (NVivo, Atlas.ti, MAXQDA, etc.)
• History of working with clients in the public and private sector