Qualitative Insight Director

About MERGE

MERGE is a marketing and technology agency purpose‑built for the intersection of health and wellness. By weaving storytelling through technology, MERGE moves beyond traditional engagement to Whole Human Marketing—recognizing that humans are multidimensional and using AI to make every brand interaction feel natural, contextual, and relevant. The company’s North Star is to unite people and brands to empower healthier, happier lives.

About the Role

Strategists at MERGE are insight achievers and alignment facilitators—creatively‑trained problem solvers, strategic writers, and creative thinkers. As the Qualitative Insight Director, you will lead research design, execution, analysis, and deliverables, develop and optimize research processes, curate tools, and continuously enhance the agency’s offerings while approaching every element of work with empathy and energy.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for ensuring all aspects of the project are delivered on time and against client objectives.
• Proactively anticipate and quickly address changes to approach, design, objectives, etc., throughout the project lifecycle.
• Design studies and write proposals; thoughtfully craft questionnaires and discussion guides using appropriate techniques and activities.
• Moderate 1:1 and group interviews and online engagements (Communities, Remesh, etc.), spending roughly 20% of time on live moderation.
• Facilitate discussion on any topic, with any target, and adapt off‑guide when appropriate.
• Identify emerging themes, connect them to the larger story, and incorporate strategic elements into reports—including story flow, implications (so‑what), and recommendations (now‑what).
• Add visual elements to communicate the story effectively.
• Leverage client and industry knowledge, external frameworks (e.g., Porter’s Five Forces, The Habit Loop), anecdotes, constructs, macro‑ and micro‑trends, and psychological insights to elevate strategy.
• Write succinct, clear, polished deliverables tailored to the audience.
• Maintain a confident, respectful, agile, consultative presence with clients; develop rapport and long‑term relationships.
• Deepen understanding of each client’s business to ask the right questions and anticipate needs.
• Proactively address issues or opportunities, suggesting further research or strategy work.
• Stay calm and collected with difficult clients and help the team do the same.
• Support department‑specific initiatives; provide guidance and mentorship to team members assigned to projects.
• Produce results reflected in positive client feedback, referrals, repeat business, or case studies.
• Develop positive relationships with clients and other MERGE teams.

Requirements

• 5+ years experience moderating and delivering excellent client deliverables in a market research or agency setting.
• Alignment with MERGE values—People, Commitment, Aspiration, Trustworthiness & Impact—and ability to model and coach these values.
• Willingness to travel and maintain flexible scheduling to accommodate project needs.
• Compliance with time‑tracking requirements.
• Adherence to MERGE and client training and guidelines for market research and healthcare industry regulations, including Pharmacovigilance (PV), Healthcare Provider (HCP) processes, ethics, confidentiality, data privacy/security, and harassment policies.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

Pay

Salary range: $114,400 – $167,800, based on the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors. The range is subject to change.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Employer‑paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Flexible time off & holidays
• Additional benefits and rewards

Schedule

The role may require travel and flexible scheduling to meet project demands.