Weekly office requirement: 3 days per week
Seniority level: mid-senior/director level
Salary Range:$120,000 to $130,000k DOE and commission plan

At GWI we’re always looking for extraordinary people who thrive on making an extraordinary impact. Right now we’re looking for a VP of Research and Insights to play a key role on our team in New York. If that’s you, and making a difference gets you out of bed in the morning, keep reading. It could be the start of something, well, extraordinary.

Sounds great, what will I be doing? 🤔

As our VP of Research and Insights, you’ll:

 Own the strategy and direction of GWI's research and insight offerings — shaping our syndicated and custom products, championing research innovation, and acting as the face of Research & Insight for both clients and internally. Our ideal candidate will excel at translating research expertise into commercial outcomes, have proven experience leading research/insight teams and partnering with revenue functions to close strategic deals, and bring deep methodological credibility along with a strong presence on stage and with senior client stakeholders.

A few things you’ll be responsible for: 

Shape and develop the strategy for GWI’s research and insight offerings:

• Own the strategy for GWI’s research and insight products across its syndicated and custom offerings - working closely with adjacent teams to ensure we have the right products and capabilities, that they are evolving as the market expects, and that they are packaged/positioned competitively.
• Be the ultimate decision-maker on the themes/questions we’re covering in our syndicated products - ensuring it remains fresh and relevant to client needs, balances demand against what’s practically possible, and naturally enables/complements custom approaches. Become an expert on the best ways to combine syndicated and custom data to deliver against client needs. 
• Develop original research / thought leadership that showcases GWI’s capabilities and drives new biz or expansion opportunities (e.g. one-off initiatives, themed research studies or proofs of concept).
• Support, champion, and help to develop research innovations that the company is pursuing, ensuring that their implementation within research and insight products will be successful. 

Act as the face of Research & Insight:

• Be the expert in the room (internal and external) when it comes to research, ensuring that client workflows and priorities are understood and reflected in our solutions and deliverables. 
• Instill confidence in GWI’s research credentials and capabilities, supporting GTM in order to drive new biz and expansion deals over the line.
• Develop relationships with key client stakeholders, spotting/developing opportunities and providing reassurance where needed
• Take the stage and present to clients / undertake relevant speaking opps (e.g. CES, SXSW, TMRE, Cannes Lions etc)
• Represent the department at company-wide meetings (e.g. Town Halls).
• Assume a key leadership role within the New York office, working with Revenue leadership to ensure the team there is clear on our strategy, capabilities and USPs.

Partner with GTM to achieve targets:

• Partner closely with Revenue leadership to ensure we hit our targets, being willing to join pitches/calls as required, spending time consulting with clients, and proactively recommending flexible approaches to pricing/packaging to ensure success (e.g., being willing to discount on bespoke work if it drives the best overall deal, or running proofs of concept where there’s a strong chance of later ROI). 
• Ensure a competitive pricing framework is in place - with agreed rules of engagement for discounting (while maintaining the minimum profit margin required by the business). 
• Oversee the pitch process for large, strategic deals - being the key partner / point-of-contact for senior stakeholders & decision-makers on the client side, giving them confidence that we can meet their commercial objectives. 

Line manage the Directors of the Research Services and Insight Services teams

• Line manage the Research and Insight Services Directors, as well as being an aspirational figurehead for the rest of the teams.
• Ensure all members possess the necessary skills and industry knowledge, and are designing excellent research/insight solutions for clients - identifying training or development needs where they exist. 
• Ensure the department is clear on, and aligned to, the company strategy.

Ensure best practice and quality in all outputs produced:

• Oversee the quality of all deliverables:
• Ensure all research is meeting quality thresholds and reflects the workflows/priorities/needs of relevant clients/prospects in our target verticals
• Ensure all insight deliverables are genuinely insightful and understand their target audiences. 
• Ensure processes are in place for remedial or reactive measures, and take the lead where necessary in comms/solutions to clients where issues have been experienced.  

Partner Closely with GWI leadership:

• Work hand-in-hand with the Exec and SLT to ensure the best commercial outcomes for GWI. Make decisions that are company-first, not department-first.
• Be a close collaborator with the SVP Research (overseeing the Research & Discovery and Research Operations teams), ensuring the two halves of the department are aligned and in sync, driving towards the same outcomes.
• Be a present, focused collaborator for the Product and Tech teams as we continue to evolve our offerings and look to design the best solutions and tech stack. Challenge these functions, but work with them to find pragmatic, achievable solutions - including compromises where needed. 

What do I need to bring with me? 🧳

You’ll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you’re willing to learn. Here’s what the team will be looking for in you:

Technical

• Expert understanding of methodologies used by GWI, ranging from U&A, segmentation, brand tracking, advertising effectiveness, and concept testing/development, as well as the syndicated research landscape (key competitors and their strengths/weaknesses). 
• Ability to build holistic research solutions that span syndicated and custom, and to articulate the benefits of advanced analytics techniques. 
• Deep knowledge of program design, quotas, weighting, as well as standard and GWI-specific research practices
• Expertise in study design, translating business questions into thoughtfully designed questionnaires that deliver clear insight, and ensuring the team meets the same standard
• Ability to produce (and ensure the team produces) exceptionally well-written and well-designed outputs that address business needs and research objectives, from C-suite-ready executive summary one-pagers to white papers and thought leadership
• Up to speed on new initiatives and approaches, ensuring the team is aligned and informed
• Knowledge and willingness of how to integrate AI within research - whether to drive efficiency or elevate outputs. Enthusiasm for integrating synthetic research within GWI’s offerings. 
• Ability to turn data into impactful stories
  
  

Competencies

• Strategic judgement: anticipates challenges, connects insight, and makes decisions that balance the here-and-now with the bigger picture. Looks beyond immediate tasks to understand how work contributes to GWI’s broader goals — aligning thinking and actions with long-term impact.
• Adaptability: comfortable with change, able to keep pace in a growing environment
• Commercial Fluency: understands how value is created, for our customers and for our business, and uses that knowledge to drive smarter decisions, stronger performance, and sustainable growth. Understands how research leads to insights that resonate.
• Highly organized: able to manage multiple projects and initiatives while maintaining strong process and operational discipline
• Collaborative: comfortable collaborating across teams and time zones, with teams split across the US, UK, Singapore, and Greece
• Transformational leadership: crafts a compelling vision, fosters innovation, and inspires, motivates and empowers people to drive organizational change. Transformational leaders think beyond immediate priorities; they connect team goals to our broader mission and ultimately create a culture of growth, commitment and sustained results.
• Excellent public speaker, confident and able to tell stories on stage that drive an impact.

 

Why Join Us 👀

• Work with the world's most influential agencies — WPP, Stagwell, Havas and more — with the data to back every conversation
• A seat at the table with senior stakeholders from day one, backed by data that gives you a genuine edge in every conversation
• Clear commercial ownership — you'll see the direct impact of your work on revenue, not just contribute to someone else's number
• The scope to build something — this isn't account maintenance; it's a genuine opportunity to expand and shape a portfolio

What We Offer 📝

At GWI, you’ll find meaningful work, visible impact, and a culture that empowers you to do your best. Our package includes:

• Time to recharge – 23 days’ annual leave, paid sick days, and office closures over the holidays.
• Health & wellbeing – Top-tier health cover with dental & vision, plus mental health and wellness support.
• Financial benefits – Great pay, 401(k) matching via Voya, and rewards that recognise your impact.
• Flexibility & balance – Flexitime, early Friday finishes, and work-from-anywhere freedom.
• Family first – Enhanced parental leave and carer days for when life needs you most.
• Career growth – Accredited learning, development programs, and space to grow your future.
• Community & impact – DE&I initiatives, volunteer days, and 100% donation matching.

Put all that together and GWI is the friendliest, most fulfilling place any of us has ever worked.

 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 🌎

Diversity is fundamental to who we are—as a data company and as a workplace. Our data reflects global realities, and so must our teams. We strive to build a workforce as diverse and inclusive as the insights we deliver.

As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates and are committed to making adjustments throughout the hiring process—whether that's extra time, materials in advance or a different format, breaks, an adjusted interview format, assistive tools, or flexible scheduling. We're happy to discuss whatever would work best for you.

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented and marginalised communities.

At GWI, you'll find a place to contribute meaningfully, grow professionally, and belong fully.

We’re committed to a compliant workforce. As an E-Verify participant, we confirm employment eligibility for all U.S. hires, ensuring we employ individuals authorized to work in the United States.

 

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