Director, Research & Marketing Science

Reports to: Chief Innovations Officer
Years Experience: 8+ years
Department: Strategy
Location: Virtual First

What is Virtual First? At BPD we believe in the balance of the digital and the physical. Our virtual first approach means that we lean into the digital connections - Slack, Zoom, e-mail - as the primary means for getting the job done. It also means that we understand the importance of in-person connection for moments of celebration, collaboration, and education in our physical offices locations in Boca Raton and Nashville. The right balance of digital and physical will vary by role. 

The Position:

The Director, Research & Marketing Science, will serve as the operational heart of BPD’s research discipline, serving as the key person who turns our ambitions from plans into reality. This role will oversee and maintain the standards we establish; work on research we conduct for clients; launch and expand new research capabilities; manage stand-alone research products; contribute to research published by the agency; and produce insights and thought leadership we share with our industry.

This person won’t conduct all the research work by themselves.  In fact, this role will rely on colleagues to support BPD’s primary research, mainly Strategists, Data Analytics experts and others who already conduct research initiatives and data analysis every day at BPD.  This role will largely be responsible for directing research efforts, and ensuring that the research being conducted is consistent and standardized in its approach, and that it meets our quality standards.

This BPDerrr possesses an extensive background in market research methodologies, including knowledge of data science. They have demonstrated expertise across a wide range of research methodologies, including segmentation studies, brand positioning and tracking studies, and concept testing, among others. Their deep understanding of statistics and algorithms, coupled with a solid grasp of market research best practices, enables them to drive strategic decision-making and deliver actionable insights. With hands-on statistical experience across various methodologies, they are well-equipped to lead the development and refinement of innovative research approaches within the healthcare industry.

The Director of Research will be among the ambassadors of the research discipline at the agency, helping promote research work within client teams, educating client teams about the agency’s ever-growing research capabilities, ensuring our research meets the standards and approaches we have established, and regularly representing BPD’s research expertise in new business efforts.

The Responsibilities:

Includes, but not limited to the following:

• Direct the Research Function: Provide strategic direction and oversight for BPD’s research function, ensuring alignment with company goals and objectives.
• Expand Research Capabilities: Lead efforts to broaden the scope of research conducted, enabling the company to answer a wider array of questions and uncover deeper insights
• Direct the Research Process: Direct the stages of the research process, working with others across BPD (and sometimes with external partners) to implement, including questionnaire development, programming/testing, data analysis, and the development and delivery of study results.
• Recommending Research Methodologies: Design and recommend appropriate research methodologies for various studies to ensure the highest quality and relevance of insights.
• Establish Standards and Methodologies: Develop and implement consistent research standards and methodologies to ensure quality, accuracy, and added value in all research activities.
• Lead in the Development of New Research Products: Partner in the creation and development of innovative research products that meet market needs and drive new revenue streams.
• Advanced Statistical Modeling: Utilize advanced statistical techniques to analyze data and generate actionable insights.
• Interfacing with Clients: Communicate research insights effectively to clients and represent the agency’s research expertise in new business efforts and pitches.
• Foster Cross-Agency Thought Leadership: Partner with teams across the agency to develop thought leadership research that creates significant impact and aligns with company growth priorities.
• Collaborate and Educate: Work closely with strategy and data science teams, inform and educate client teams about research capabilities to support growth.
• Monitor and Report Progress: Regularly report on the progress of research initiatives, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

The Essentials:

• Expert in market research methodologies (segmentation studies, brand positioning / tracking studies, creative testing, usage & attitudes, etc.)
• Hands-on statistical experience with methodologies such as:
• Cluster analysis
• Regression analysis
• Significant testing
• MaxDiff / Conjoint analysis
• A Masters in statistics, math, research methodologies, psychology, or similar
• 8+ years of progressive experience working in data and analytics roles, with a proven track record of leveraging data-driven insights to inform decision-making and driver business growth
• Prior experience with a statistical package such as SPSS, R, or Python
• Ability to translate complex statistical concepts into simple data visualizations
• Solid understanding of market research process and best practices (study design, questionnaire design, sampling methodology, data processing, analysis, and dashboard design)
• A genuine and deep curiosity for the research space
• Experience across qualitative and quantitative research
• Incredible level of attention to detail in all facets of work
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize projects of various complexities and timelines
• Ability to build internal relationships that encourage and foster the growth of a capability through new understandings and explanations
• Strong verbal and written

The Vision:

BPD is the home for healthcare’s leading brands. From the nation’s largest, most complex health systems to academic institutions and industry disruptors, BPD ignites greatness with our clients to bring better health to more people. Together, BPD’s more than 160 experts provide innovative solutions and capabilities in brand building, service line promotion, data-driven marketing, strategic communications, and more. For more information on BPD, visit www.bpdhealthcare.com.

At BPD, our work is rooted in understanding people of all races, ethnicities, gender expressions, sexual identities, abilities, and life experiences. To enable these authentic connections, we cultivate a culture of one-ness that:

1. Celebrates our diversity;
2. Unites us in Purpose; and
3. Leads to the creation of inclusive work that contributes to health equity for all.

We lean into the honest conversations that teach us to recognize that the pursuit of diversity, equity and inclusion is never done and that it is essential to igniting greatness inside our walls and across the healthcare landscape. So we commit to this endeavor not only because it is right and just, but because it is the foundation of brilliant, resonant work for our clients.  

BPD is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. BPD recruits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnic or national origin, protected veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or citizenship status.