Vice President, Research (Insights & Intelligence) - Burson

About the role

Burson, part of WPP, is seeking a Vice President to join our Insights & Intelligence (I&I) team. This role will drive insights, analytics, and measurement programs for a portfolio of leading healthcare and pharmaceutical clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale healthcare insights, analytics, and measurement engagements, overseeing data collection, analysis, and synthesis across a portfolio of pharmaceutical and healthcare clients.
• Serve as a senior strategic advisor to clients and internal account teams, translating complex healthcare market dynamics, stakeholder insights, and performance data into actionable business and communications recommendations.
• Design and lead custom qualitative and quantitative research initiatives, including landscape assessments, audience research, stakeholder insights, campaign evaluation, product launch measurement, reputation tracking, message testing, and integrated measurement frameworks.
• Oversee the execution and implementation of consulting and research programs from proposal development through final delivery, ensuring projects are completed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Develop and scale measurement frameworks that demonstrate communications impact and business outcomes across healthcare organizations, brands, and therapeutic areas.
• Lead media intelligence, social listening, and analytics programs to identify emerging trends, risks, opportunities, stakeholder sentiment, and competitive insights within the healthcare ecosystem.
• Guide the development of executive-level reports, strategic presentations, dashboards, and insight-driven recommendations for senior client stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted partner to healthcare account teams, proactively identifying opportunities to expand insights and analytics engagements and drive incremental business growth.
• Contribute to new business opportunities, client retention efforts, and strategic growth initiatives for the healthcare insights practice.
• Oversee and mentor junior team members, fostering excellence in research design, analysis, storytelling, and client service.
• Ensure accuracy, rigor, innovation, and strategic consistency across all deliverables and outputs.
• Help shape the future of Burson's healthcare insights offering by refining methodologies, introducing new capabilities, and driving thought leadership in healthcare measurement and analytics.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in healthcare insights, market research, analytics, communications measurement, management consulting, or a related field within an agency, consultancy, healthcare organization, pharmaceutical company, or research firm.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex healthcare research, analytics, and measurement programs for pharmaceutical or healthcare clients.
• Proven success managing senior client relationships and serving as a strategic advisor to executive stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including audience insights, stakeholder research, measurement frameworks, campaign evaluation, and market intelligence programs.
• Experience measuring the impact of communications, marketing, reputation, product launch, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Expertise in media intelligence, social listening, and analytics tools (e.g., Brandwatch, Sprinklr, NewsWhip, Meltwater, etc.) is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex datasets into compelling strategic narratives and recommendations for executive audiences.
• Experience leading multiple workstreams simultaneously while maintaining exceptional standards for quality, accuracy, and client service.
• Strong communication, presentation, and consulting skills, with the ability to navigate complex, highly visible, and fast-moving business environments.
• Experience managing and mentoring high-performing teams while contributing to overall practice development.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with dashboards, data visualization platforms, measurement frameworks, and emerging AI/LLM tools is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for business growth, expand client relationships, and contribute to revenue generation.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial, and solutions-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as public health, biostatistics, psychology, business, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications in healthcare research or analytics (e.g., CHRS, CPHQ).
• Knowledge of healthcare regulatory requirements and compliance standards.
• Experience working with healthcare clients and understanding the nuances of the healthcare industry.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

• Data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Client relationship management and stakeholder engagement.
• Strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Writing and reporting skills.
• Leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Use of advanced analytics tools and software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, Tableau).
• Understanding of healthcare market dynamics and stakeholder insights.

Benefits

Burson offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Health insurance
• Retirement plans
• Flexible work arrangements
• Professional development opportunities
• Mentorship programs
• Inclusive company culture
• Employee recognition programs

Pay

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range between: $120,000—$175,000 USD

Schedule

Given the concentration of healthcare clients and team members, New York is the preferred location for this role. Burson operates on a hybrid schedule with teams in the office around four days a week.