COMPANY DESCRIPTION
We are an ISO-certified full-service consumer research consultancy with proven local expertise. For thirty years now, we have helped some of Singapore's best-known brands and government agencies discover deeper insights into their consumers. From advanced analytics to qualitative exploration, our research specialists and data scientists bring incisive data-driven rigour to every business question.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where talent thrives. Our hiring decisions are made based on merit and fit-to-role. If you have a disability or special need which requires accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please inform us when you submit your online application. We will be happy to support as necessary.
Thank you for your interest and application to this role. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Purpose of the role
The Associate Director plays a key role in growing MRC's business by leading sizeable research engagements, building strong client relationships, and delivering clear, commercially useful insights.
Scope of the role
The role is responsible for managing key accounts and major workstreams, ensuring high-quality end-to-end project delivery, and translating research findings into practical recommendations that clients can act on. The Associate Director also supports account development through trusted client servicing, contribution to repeat and follow-on work, and day-to-day leadership of project teams, while helping to strengthen capability and standards across the business.
Key Responsibilities & Challenges
Responsibilities
- Lead medium to large-scale research engagements, with strong ownership of study design, project direction, quality of output, and overall client experience.
- Serve as the senior day-to-day lead for assigned clients and accounts, building trusted relationships through sound judgement, responsiveness, and consistently strong delivery.
- Manage end-to-end project execution across quantitative studies and, where relevant, mixed-method work, ensuring timelines, budgets, and client expectations are well managed.
- Translate client business questions into clear research approaches, practical analysis plans, and useful recommendations that clients can act on.
- Deliver clear, insightful, and commercially relevant presentations and reports to clients, including senior stakeholders where required.
- Drive high standards across all project outputs by reviewing work critically, sharpening the story, and ensuring recommendations are evidence-based and relevant.
- Identify opportunities for repeat work, follow-on assignments, and adjacent project opportunities within existing accounts, and contribute to proposal development and scoping discussions.
- Take ownership of project commercials within assigned workstreams, including scope discipline, budget management, and delivery against agreed profitability expectations.
- Guide and coach junior team members across project delivery, analysis, reporting, and presentation, while helping to build stronger capability and confidence across the team.
- Support resource planning across projects, helping ensure the right people are deployed to the right work at the right time.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders across research, operations, and support functions to keep projects moving smoothly and to resolve issues early.
- Contribute to stronger ways of working across the business by sharing knowledge, improving delivery discipline, and maintaining strong client servicing standards.
Challenges
- Managing multiple concurrent projects and client demands without compromising quality, responsiveness, or commercial discipline.
- Balancing strong client servicing with firm scope control, especially when timelines are tight or project demands shift.
- Turning complex or ambiguous client questions into clear, well-structured research approaches and usable recommendations.
- Maintaining high standards of analysis and storytelling across different project types, stakeholders, and sectors.
- Growing existing accounts through trusted delivery and good judgement, while supporting selective new business opportunities where relevant.
- Coaching and stretching junior team members while still ensuring work is delivered accurately, efficiently, and to a strong client-ready standard.
- Navigating high-stakes or high-visibility projects calmly and professionally, particularly where senior stakeholders or sensitive topics are involved.
Foundational/Leadership Competencies
- Strong client servicing and stakeholder management
- Sound research judgement and analytical thinking
- Strong project ownership and delivery discipline
- Clear writing, communication, and presentation skills
- Commercial awareness across scope, budget, and profitability
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment
- Collaborative and solutions-oriented working style
- Professional maturity, reliability, and sound judgement
- Takes ownership and is accountable for outcomes
- Builds trust with clients and colleagues
- Coaches and develops junior team members
- Sets high standards for quality and client readiness
- Works well through others and keeps teams aligned
- Makes good decisions under pressure and ambiguity
- Contributes positively to team culture and capability
- Supports business growth through strong account stewardship
Functional Competencies
- Strong quantitative research and project design skills
- Good grasp of research methodologies, analysis, and interpretation
- Strong client servicing and account management ability
- Able to translate business issues into clear research approaches
- Strong report writing, insight synthesis, and presentation skills
- Good commercial awareness across scope, budget, and profitability
- Able to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively
- Strong quality control and attention to detail
- Comfortable guiding project teams and reviewing work
- Able to identify opportunities for repeat work and account growth
Experience
- Candidates with 10 or more years of directly relevant experience in market research, consumer insights, or related consulting environments may be considered in lieu of formal degree qualifications
- Strong track record in leading end-to-end quantitative research projects, from design through reporting and presentation
- Experience managing key clients and presenting findings to senior stakeholders
- Experience leading project teams and guiding junior researchers
- Experience handling medium to large-scale custom research engagements across multiple workstreams
- Exposure to public sector, brand, communications, customer, or custom research will be an advantage
- Agency-side experience will be preferred
QUALIFICATIONS- Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in a relevant discipline preferred
- Equivalent combinations of academic qualifications and relevant professional experience will be considered
Please note that your application will be sent to and reviewed by the direct employer - Media Research Consultants Pte Ltd
