VP of Research and Insights
Overview
At GWI we’re always looking for extraordinary people who thrive on making an extraordinary impact. Right now we’re looking for a VP of Research and Insights to play a key role on our team in New York.
Responsibilities
Own the strategy and direction of GWI's research and insight offerings — shaping our syndicated and custom products, championing research innovation, and acting as the face of Research & Insight for both clients and internally.
Translate research expertise into commercial outcomes, lead research/insight teams, and partner with revenue functions to close strategic deals.
Develop original research / thought leadership that showcases GWI’s capabilities and drives new biz or expansion opportunities.
Support, champion, and help to develop research innovations that the company is pursuing, ensuring their implementation within research and insight products.
Be the expert in the room (internal and external) when it comes to research, ensuring client workflows and priorities are understood and reflected in our solutions and deliverables.
Develop relationships with key client stakeholders, spotting/developing opportunities and providing reassurance where needed.
Take the stage and present to clients / undertake relevant speaking opps (e.g. CES, SXSW, TMRE, Cannes Lions etc).
Represent the department at company-wide meetings (e.g. Town Halls).
Assume a key leadership role within the New York office, working with Revenue leadership to ensure the team there is clear on our strategy, capabilities and USPs.
Partner with GTM to achieve targets, joining pitches/calls as required, spending time consulting with clients, and proactively recommending flexible approaches to pricing/packaging to ensure success.
Oversee the pitch process for large, strategic deals, being the key partner / point-of-contact for senior stakeholders & decision-makers on the client side, giving them confidence that we can meet their commercial objectives.
Line manage the Directors of the Research Services and Insight Services teams.
Ensure all members possess the necessary skills and industry knowledge, and are designing excellent research/insight solutions for clients - identifying training or development needs where they exist.
Ensure the department is clear on, and aligned to, the company strategy.
Ensure best practice and quality in all outputs produced.
Work hand-in-hand with the SVP Research (overseeing the Research & Discovery and Research Operations teams), ensuring the two halves of the department are aligned and in sync, driving towards the same outcomes.
Challenge these functions, but work with them to find pragmatic, achievable solutions - including compromises where needed.
Requirements
You’ll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you’re willing to learn. Here’s what the team will be looking for in you:
Technical Expert understanding of methodologies used by GWI, ranging from U&A, segmentation, brand tracking, advertising effectiveness, and concept testing/development, as well as the syndicated research landscape (key competitors and their strengths/weaknesses).
Ability to build holistic research solutions that span syndicated and custom, and to articulate the benefits of advanced analytics techniques.
Deep knowledge of program design, quotas, weighting, as well as standard and GWI-specific research practices.
Expertise in study design, translating business questions into thoughtfully designed questionnaires that deliver clear insight, and ensuring the team meets the same standard.
Ability to produce (and ensure the team produces) exceptionally well-written and well-designed outputs that address business needs and research objectives, from C-suite-ready executive summary one-pagers to white papers and thought leadership.
Up to speed on new initiatives and approaches, ensuring the team is aligned and informed.
Knowledge and willingness of how to integrate AI within research - whether to drive efficiency or elevate outputs.
Enthusiasm for integrating synthetic research within GWI’s offerings.
Ability to turn data into impactful stories.
Qualifications
Strategic judgement: anticipates challenges, connects insight, and makes decisions that balance the here-and-now with the bigger picture. Looks beyond immediate tasks to understand how work contributes to GWI’s broader goals — aligning thinking and actions with long-term impact.
Adaptability: comfortable with change, able to keep pace in a growing environment.
Commercial Fluency: understands how value is created, for our customers and for our business, and uses that knowledge to drive smarter decisions, stronger performance, and sustainable growth. Understands how research leads to insights that resonate.
Highly organized: able to manage multiple projects and initiatives while maintaining strong process and operational discipline.
Collaborative: comfortable collaborating across teams and time zones, with teams split across the US, UK, Singapore, and Greece.
Transformational leadership: crafts a compelling vision, fosters innovation, and inspires, motivates and empowers people to drive organizational change. Transformational leaders think beyond immediate priorities; they connect team goals to our broader mission and ultimately create a culture of growth, commitment and sustained results.
Excellent public speaker, confident and able to tell stories on stage that drive an impact.
Benefits
Time to recharge – 23 days’ annual leave, paid sick days, and office closures over the holidays.
Health & wellbeing – Top-tier health cover with dental & vision, plus mental health and wellness support.
Financial benefits – Great pay, 401(k) matching via Voya, and rewards that recognise your impact.
Flexibility & balance – Flexitime, early Friday finishes, and work-from-anywhere freedom.
Family first – Enhanced parental leave and carer days for when life needs you most.
Career growth – Accredited learning, development programs, and space to grow your future.
Community & impact – DE&I initiatives, volunteer days, and 100% donation matching.
Pay
$120,000 to $130,000k DOE and commission plan
Schedule
3 days per week