Head of Consumer Insights

About the Role

AS Beauty is one of the fastest-growing cosmetic companies in the market today. We are a family-run business based in New York, NY, focused on developing global beauty brands that deliver real-world solutions to a diverse consumer base. AS Beauty’s portfolio includes renowned brands Laura Geller Beauty, Bliss, Cover FX, Julep Beauty, and Mally Beauty. We are continually developing products that are innovative, effective, and ensure that our customers feel beautiful inside and out.

Role Overview

The Head of Consumer Insights defines and leads the consumer insights strategy, ensuring business decisions are grounded in a deep understanding of consumer needs, behaviors, perceptions, and emerging trends. As the steward of the consumer voice, this leader turns insights into strategic action that drives innovation, strengthens brand equity, accelerates growth, and creates competitive advantage.

This role will work closely with Product Development, Ecommerce, Sales, Brand Marketing, Performance Marketing, and Regulatory teams to embed consumer-centered decision-making across the business. The Director leads all consumer research, product testing, and perception measurement programs while continuously strengthening the organization’s consumer intelligence capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the company’s global consumer insights vision, strategy, and roadmap, aligning consumer intelligence with business, brand, and innovation priorities.
• Identify emerging consumer trends, unmet needs, and whitespace opportunities that inform long-term growth strategies and innovation pipelines.
• Translate consumer, market, and product insights into actionable recommendations that influence executive decisions and investment priorities.
• Lead consumer research, product testing, and perception measurement programs using rigorous, business-relevant methodologies.
• Partner with the Voice of the Customer function to integrate consumer insights into strategic planning, innovation, portfolio management, and go-to-market decisions
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to shape product innovation, improve consumer experiences, strengthen claims and messaging, and enhance market performance.
• Establish and track key performance indicators for consumer perception, product satisfaction, and brand health, using insights to drive continuous improvement.
• Build and advance consumer intelligence capabilities, including research frameworks, tools, analytics, dashboards, and measurement systems.
• Lead and develop a high-performing insights function while managing external research partners and agencies for quality, efficiency, and innovation.
• Advise senior leaders by presenting strategic insights and recommendations that drive enterprise-wide impact and business growth.
• Manage the consumer insights budget and investment strategy, allocating resources to maximize business value and return on investment.

Required Experience & Skills

• 10 years of experience in consumer insights, market research, consumer intelligence, or related functions, including significant experience within beauty, personal care, CPG, retail, or adjacent consumer industries.
• 5 years of leadership experience managing and developing high-performing insights teams and/or agency partners.
• Proven track record of translating consumer insights into business strategies that drive innovation, brand growth, market share, and commercial performance.
• Deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including consumer segmentation, concept testing, product testing, brand health tracking, claims substantiation, and innovation research.
• Strong understanding of the beauty and consumer products landscape, including evolving consumer trends, shopper behavior, and competitive dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and cross-functional stakeholders through compelling storytelling, data-driven recommendations, and strategic thought leadership.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify complex information into actionable business insights.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and lead through ambiguity and change.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Experience leading global or multi-market consumer insights programs.
• Expertise leveraging advanced analytics, consumer data platforms, AI-enabled research tools, and syndicated data sources.
• Experience supporting innovation pipelines, product development, and portfolio strategy within a beauty or consumer products organization.
• Passion for consumer-centric innovation and building insight-driven cultures.