Research Director (AI)

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Company

hirify.global is a global research and data company whose panels and products help organizations understand public and consumer opinion.

What you will do

• Own complex, high-value client relationships across the region and advise clients on research solutions, methodology, and commercial opportunities.
• Lead complex projects from enquiry through delivery, including questionnaire design, sample design, weighting, significance testing, scripting, costing, and quality control.
• Write and sign off proposals, tenders, and RFIs, while leading pricing and methodology for new business.
• Present research findings to audiences ranging from analysts to C-suite stakeholders and translate insight into actionable recommendations.
• Use Crunch for analysis and dashboards and identify responsible applications of AI and automation in research design, data processing, analysis, and reporting.
• Manage workloads, mentor and develop researchers, lead recruitment, and build a solutions-focused culture across the team.

Requirements

• 10–12 years of quantitative market research experience, including substantial client leadership and line management of research teams.
• Experience owning and growing high-value accounts, winning repeat business, and managing multiple complex projects to deadline and budget.
• Strong knowledge of questionnaire design, sample design, weighting, significance testing, and advanced statistical analysis.
• Confident scripting experience with CI/G4 or an equivalent platform, plus a sound understanding of operations functions.
• Excellent presentation, communication, commercial, proposal-writing, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Fluent English is required; Arabic is preferred. Familiarity with MENA cultural nuances is expected.

Nice to have

• Advanced statistical analysis experience beyond standard significance testing and weighting.
• Recognized sector or subject-matter expertise, large-scale proposal sign-off experience, and experience with AI or automation in research or analytics.
• Crunch experience and experience leading recruitment and building teams.

Culture & Benefits

• Fast-paced, innovative environment focused on accurate, ethical, and methodologically sound research.
• Opportunities to shape research delivery across the region and introduce new AI-enabled ways of working.
• Supportive and inclusive workplace focused on diversity, belonging, and continuous learning.
• Benefits supporting physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing.