Managing Director, Research

Penta Group is a global company providing data-driven solutions to help clients achieve their objectives in an increasingly complex stakeholder environment. We provide cutting-edge intelligence products to help clients understand what their stakeholders think, see, and hear, and then leverage that intelligence to develop and execute effective, measurable strategies. 

Our global team brings decades of experience in business, government, communications, research, data science, and media. Our clients include companies across a variety of industries, including technology, financial services, energy, healthcare, and more. Penta has offices in New York, London, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Dublin, London, Brussels, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Role Summary:

In this role, you will be a strategic advisor to our clients, leveraging innovative research methodologies and insights to solve their most challenging issues. Working in collaboration with other teams at Penta, you’ll lead client relationships, conceive projects using a variety of data sources and methodologies and direct teams to deliver on quality work. 

You’ll provide guidance and hands-on support to design and implement a range of research methodologies - from analytics, to qualitative and quantitative research. As the point person, you’ll grow accounts through developing relationships and exploring further opportunities within the client's business.

This is a leadership role with responsibility to manage an integrated team, being able to shape the research design and consult on how effectively design the research to deliver insights and a point of view to the client on how to drive their decisions forward. With all things, client engagement will be at the forefront. An expertise or interest in healthcare specifically is a bonus for this role (but not necessary). 

The Managing Director is expected to:

- Scope and lead the research to answer key questions clients are facing; Leverage advanced knowledge of research skills across methodologies including survey design, discussion guides, insights development and storytelling.

- Confirm that the scope/challenge of the project is clearly understood; guide your team in validating data sources, conducting analysis, generating insights and recommendations to be shared with the client in the most compelling manner.

- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of research projects and subject matter by directing secondary research as part of informing each research engagement.

- Use research drawn from a variety of sources to help elite clients set the messaging, reputation strategies and commercial propositions to meet their business goals.

- Support in crafting narratives, testing messages, predictive modeling, measuring impact to guide communications that inform strategy.

- Oversee and assist in creation of analytical reports and presentations for elite clients; translate information into actionable intelligence.

- Maintain a strong voice to represent insights and analytics in decisions to assure that strategies and programs represent best-in-class thinking and benefit from in-depth analysis of past and potential performance.

- Manage projects across multiple client accounts simultaneously and manage the time accordingly, reaching across teams to collaborate and help individual contributors to prioritize their deliverables.

- Lead end-to-end client engagements guiding the work and acting as coach to a team of managers and analysts.

- Develop and mentor your team, providing direction on work and developmental feedback to support growth.

- Growing the business: Lead client relationships and business initiatives through subject matter expertise and industry insights.

The ideal candidate will have:

- 10+ years of work experience within a market research or communications agency, including a minimum of 5+ years of relevant work experience in a lead, client-facing, role within a strategic research firm or working on strategic research within a public affairs agency.

- Expertise and interest in conducting research and/or working in a relevant policy field (ideally healthcare but also financial services, transportation, food/agriculture, and/or energy); familiarity with politics, the legislative process, and corporate industries

- Demonstrated success in business development and project management.

- Demonstrated ability to translate insights into communications, marketing or policy strategy  

- A solid background in qualitative/quantitative research and social media analytics

Salary Range:

The base salary range for this position is $205,000 - $280,000 annually, depending on a candidate’s experience and qualifications as it relates to the position. This role is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus based on firm performance.

Benefits:

Penta Group is proud to offer a generous benefits package, in which regular full-time employees are eligible for enrollment the first day of the month following their date of hire. Please find a list below of our current benefit offerings:

- Excellent health care, vision, and dental coverage provided by United Healthcare with 100% of individual employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums covered

- Competitive retirement benefits with a 401(k) matching 100% up to 3% of an employee’s deferred salary, and matching 50% of the next 2% deferred

- Employer paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance, with the option to buy additional coverage

- Twelve weeks paid parental leave

- Flexible paid time off and a generous holiday schedule

- Monthly stipend for cell phone

- Optional pet insurance coverageFrequent firm-wide social events and activities

- An excellent environment for learning and growth

Location and Hybrid Schedule:

For this position, we are only considering applicants in Washington, D.C. or New York City and looking to fill the role as soon as possible. This person will be expected to join our team in our downtown DC or NYC office in person Monday through Thursday and has the option to work remote on Fridays. Exceptional candidates who are not in NYC or DC may be considered, but in person is strongly preferred. 

Penta Group, LLC values diversity and inclusion, is committed to equal employment opportunity, and to compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. We also comply with District of Columbia law, which prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, applicants for employment and interns based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, reproductive health decisions and breastfeeding), national origin, disability, age (18 and over), personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family responsibilities, matriculation (e.g., being enrolled in a college or university or in a business, nursing, professional, secretarial, technical or vocational school), political affiliation, genetic information (including family medical history), lawful use of tobacco products, unemployment status and status as a victim or the family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense or stalking.