About this role
Associate Director, Qualitative Research Up to £65,000 + 11.5% Annual Bonus (Paid Quarterly) London (Southwark) - 2 days per month if outside M25
I'm hiring an Associate Director, Qualitative Research for a global healthcare research business with an outstanding reputation across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, biotech, and life sciences.
This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced research operations leader who enjoys managing people, delivering high-quality client work, and helping research teams perform at their best. The role sits within a large, established qualitative research function and combines leadership, client management, and operational delivery.
The company Part of a globally recognised healthcare group, this business supports many of the world's leading pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, and life sciences organisations with research, recruitment, data collection, and engagement services.
They combine the feel of a specialist healthcare research consultancy with the backing, reach, and stability of a global organisation operating across more than 200 markets worldwide.
The role This is a senior leadership role within the Qualitative Research division.
You'll report into the Head of Qualitative Research and lead a team of Project Management professionals responsible for delivering complex healthcare research programmes.
Importantly, this is not a research design or insights role.
Instead, the focus is on:
Team leadershipProject deliveryOperational performanceClient relationship managementCommercial deliveryProcess improvement You'll act as the senior escalation point for both clients and project teams, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a consistently high standard.
What you'll be doingTeam Leadership Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 4-5 Project Managers.Manage resource allocation, utilisation, and team performance.Support career development, coaching, and succession planning.Help build a high-performing, collaborative culture. Client & Commercial Management Build and maintain strong relationships with healthcare research clients.Act as a senior escalation point on complex projects.Ensure client expectations are met and exceeded.Support profitability, project performance, and account growth. Operational Delivery Oversee qualitative healthcare research projects from an operational perspective.Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.Monitor team KPIs and operational performance.Improve delivery processes and ways of working. Strategic Contribution Partner with senior leadership on operational improvements.Help shape the future growth of the qualitative function.Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the wider business. What they're looking forEssential 5+ years' experience within the market research industry.Strong project management and operational delivery experience.Previous people management experience.Experience managing client relationships and stakeholders.Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.Ability to manage workloads, KPIs, budgets, and delivery.Experience operating in fast-paced, project-led environments. Strongly Preferred Healthcare market research experience.Experience leading project management or operations teams.Exposure to pharmaceutical, healthcare, biotech, life sciences, or patient research projects. Typical backgrounds Associate DirectorProject DirectorSenior Project DirectorClient Services ManagerResearch Operations ManagerOperations Director (Research)Healthcare Research Programme Manager Why this role? Lead an established team within a highly respected healthcare research business.Manage and develop a team of experienced project professionals.Work with some of the world's leading healthcare and pharmaceutical organisations.Strong balance of leadership, operational delivery, and client engagement.Backed by a global organisation with excellent stability and growth.Flexible working approach for candidates outside London. Location & Flexibility London (Southwark)
Standard expectation: 2 days per week in the office if inside the M25For candidates based in the Midlands or North, the business can offer a more flexible arrangement of approximately 2 days per month in London. Package Up to £65k11.5% annual bonus (paid quarterly)Hybrid/flexible workingStrong career progressionHealthcare and wellbeing benefitsGlobal business with excellent long-term opportunities Interview Process Stage 1: Teams interview with senior leadership
Focus on:
Leadership experienceTeam managementClient ownershipOperational deliveryCareer motivations Final Stage: In-person presentation exercise assessing:
Communication skillsStakeholder managementCommercial thinkingExecutive presenceClient-facing capability This role would suit someone who enjoys leading people, improving operations, and building strong client relationships while remaining close to project delivery in a healthcare research environment.