Program Director, Market Research

Program Director, Market Research

Location: West Coast (San Francisco, Seattle)

Level: Senior / Director

Salary: 150-160k base benefits, bonus, etc.

Role Overview

The Program Director, Market Research is the operating and strategic backbone of a high-impact, multi-workstream research and growth initiative. This role exists to ensure that market research strategy translates into disciplined execution, clear priorities, and measurable business impact.

This is a senior, highly visible role for someone who thrives at the intersection of market research, strategy, and operations. You will work closely with executive leaders, research teams, and cross-functional partners to align research programs with client growth priorities, innovation efforts, and long-term market opportunity development.

If you excel at bringing structure to complexity, driving momentum across teams, and turning insight into action, this role is built for you.

What You’ll Do

1. Research Program Leadership & Operating Cadence

• Own and run the operating rhythm for large, multi-stakeholder market research programs
  
• Establish clear governance, meeting cadences, decision forums, and follow-through mechanisms
  
• Build agendas, pre-reads, action logs, and decision frameworks
  
• Ensure leaders and teams stay aligned, focused, and accountable
  

2. Integrated Roadmap & Execution Management

• Own the integrated roadmap across:
  
• Strategic market research initiatives
  
• Client growth and account priorities
  
• Innovation and new solution development
  
• Research capability and talent evolution
  
• Track milestones, dependencies, risks, and outcomes
  
• Surface issues early and drive resolution across teams
  

3. Insight, Reporting & Executive Storytelling

• Translate research activity and results into clear executive-level narratives
  
• Build dashboards and updates that connect insights to business outcomes
  
• Synthesize what’s working, what’s not, and what decisions are needed
  
• Prepare executive-ready communications for senior leadership and stakeholders
  

4. Cross-Functional Coordination (“Air Traffic Control”)

• Act as the connective tissue across:
  
• Market research teams
  
• Client leadership and growth functions
  
• Marketing, innovation, and operations partners
  
• Reduce duplication, friction, and misalignment
  
• Ensure research priorities show up in account strategies, innovation roadmaps, and client engagements
  

5. Activation, Forums & Thought Leadership Enablement

• Lead the operational execution of research-driven activations, including:
  
• Client forums and executive briefings
  
• Thought leadership events and innovation showcases
  
• Internal leadership sessions
  
• Ensure events and activations drive tangible outcomes:
  
• Deeper client relationships
  
• Opportunity creation
  
• Strategic alignment
  

6. Strategic Partner to Senior Leadership

• Serve as a trusted extension of senior research and business leaders
  
• Anticipate needs, pressure-test thinking, and bring structure to vision
  
• Enable leaders to stay focused on client impact, strategic narrative, and external influence
  

Requirements

What You Bring

• 8–12 years of experience in market research, strategy, consulting, operations, or program leadership
  
• Experience leading complex initiatives in matrixed, fast-moving organizations
  
• Strong understanding of how market research drives:
  
• Client decision-making
  
• Growth strategy
  
• Innovation and product development
  

You are exceptional at:

• Orchestration, prioritization, and follow-through
  
• Executive communication and storytelling
  
• Navigating ambiguity with confidence and calm
  
• Influencing without formal authority
  

You bring:

• High ownership and accountability
  
• A bias for action
  
• Comfort working with senior leaders and client-facing teams
  
• The ability to make complex programs feel clear, focused, and achievable
  

How Success Is Measured

• Research programs run with clear cadence, discipline, and momentum
  
• Leaders experience the work as focused, organized, and easy to engage with
  
• Progress, risks, and results are consistently visible
  
• Insights translate into measurable client and business impact
  
• Research initiatives elevate strategic influence across the organization
  

Benefits

150-160k benefits, bonus, etc. 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options
  

• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
  

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, paid holidays, and a birthday day off
  

• Paid parental leave
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  

• Well-being reimbursement for wellness-related expenses
  

• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements (role dependent)
  

• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
  

• Ongoing learning, training, and career development programs
  

• Inclusive workplace with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
  

This role shapes how market research moves from insight to impact. You won’t just manage programs—you’ll enable better decisions, stronger execution, and sustained growth at the highest levels.