Senior Research Director, Customer Success

Illinois, ILFull-time$99.8k–$130kPosted Jul 27, 2026

Senior Research Director, Customer Success

  • Full-time
  • Career Site Team: Customer Success

Company Description

This is a US based role - candidates must be in the US at time of application

Job Description

NIQ is seeking a dynamic and visionary Senior Research Director of Customer Success to help support the North America Brand Consulting team. This role requires a minimum of 5-7 years of brand and ad tracking experience. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader and change agent, capable of driving innovation and excellence within the team and across the organization. This position offers high visibility and direct interaction with clients, providing an opportunity to influence and shape the future of brand tracking research at NIQ. A passion for team leadership, driving strong engagement within the team, training/mentoring, and embracing change is essential. 

Responsibilities 

Client Relationship Management: 

  • Help build and maintain strong client relationships, inspiring confidence in our clients that NIQ provides premium fact-based consultation. 

  • Balance the needs of clients with what is best for the company, including monitoring project specific budgets and timelines. 

  • Identify clients’ requirements and expectations and communicate and consult regularly with clients about their projects. This includes maintaining a presence and high level of engagement during all phases of projects, from questionnaire development to presentation of results. 

  • Provide input on client knowledge and practice insights to research design and proposal development. 

  • Mastery and immersion in clients’ businesses. 

  • Demonstrate thought leadership within the practice area. 

  • Manage client expectations and maintain confidence in all situations. Be a voice of reason, expertise and partnership to clients -- helping them make informed decisions on how to best move forward with elements of their brand tracking work. 

  • Support direct reports when facing challenges with project execution and/or client servicing. Role model best practices and critical thinking strategies to help guide junior staff. 

Analytical and Technical Skills: 

  • Help build, write, and deliver comprehensive questionnaires and PPT decks with summaries and recommendations. 

  • Uses data to create insights to answer business questions. 

  • Present research to clients and stakeholders in a compelling manner. 

Mentorship: 

  • Mentor a team - supporting junior team members throughout projects (e.g., proofing questionnaires, reviewing materials, helping build report templates, analyzing data for key insights). 

  • Provide training and guidance to junior team members to create a strong foundation for their own success. 

  • Support the broader team, not just junior team members, in proposal and report development. Actively lend a hand when and where needed to foster balance of workload. 

  • Work collaboratively with the team to contribute to product development and thought leadership. 

  • Provide day-to-day feedback and oversee the overall performance review process. 

  • Manage team workload, capacity, and engagement. 

  • Help contribute to process improvement initiatives to drive efficiency. 

  • Drive practice expertise and knowledge of practice standards and foster a broader connection with NIQ. 

Desired Attributes: 

  • Embraces change and consistently challenges the status quo. 

  • Proactive in identifying and resolving issues. 

  • Assumes positive intent in all interactions. 

  • Strong team player with a collaborative mindset. 

  • Inquisitive and committed to continuous learning. 

  • Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. 

  • Highly organized and detail oriented. 

  • Ability to juggle multiple projects, with varying timelines and team members. 

Qualifications 

  • Ability to manage client expectations and achieve ‘win-win’ in difficult situations. 

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, mathematics, or the sciences, or equivalent experience. 

  • Minimum of 5-7 years of brand and ad tracking experience. 

  • Excellent presentation skills. 

  • Proven client focus and ability to identify selling opportunities. 

  • Demonstrated leadership and team management experience. 

  • Passion for brand and advertising research. 

Additional Information

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $99,800-$130,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role might also be eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include a flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support, and more.

Our Benefits

  • Flexible working environment
  • Volunteer time off
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.  All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion

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