Explorer Director Market Research (Shopper Research)

Location: Remote, with residence required in Ontario, Canada; linked to the Ontario office and may change to hybrid. Travel across North America and onsite client field operations may be required.

Salary: $105,000 CAD+ depending on experience and ability.

Company

Explorer, part of hirify.global and the Next 15 Communications Group, provides shopper-focused market research and advisory services covering packaging, planograms, retail, signage, and path-to-purchase research.

What you will do

• Support the Vice President in managing multiple client accounts and delivering high-quality research projects.
• Transform complex quantitative research data into clear narratives, reports, presentations, and actionable business insights.
• Build relationships with strategic planners, operational managers, and senior-level clients while resolving concerns with practical solutions.
• Attend client sites, primarily across the US and Canada, to oversee field operations and align delivery with client expectations.
• Mentor team members and lead training initiatives on research methods and strategies.

Requirements

• Substantial experience in the market research industry; a mix of client-side and supplier-side experience is highly appreciated.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to guide teams in high-pressure situations.
• Expertise in advanced analytics and transforming data into actionable business solutions.
• Ability to deliver precise strategies and insights under tight schedules and manage multiple projects with fast turnaround requirements.
• Experience running and delivering quantitative research studies, including online and central location testing.
• Exceptional communication skills for building relationships with senior-level clients.
• Must be located in Ontario, Canada.
• Visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice to have

• Shopper research experience, particularly in packaging testing, store-layout optimization, and customer-pathway research.

Culture & Benefits

• Currently remote with flexible working practices; the role may become hybrid and is linked to the Ontario office.
• Salary of $105,000 CAD+ depending on experience and ability, plus a bonus scheme.
• Health package and team and company socials.
• Entrepreneurial culture with career development opportunities, diversity, inclusion, and equal-opportunity employment.
• Travel opportunities and onsite client work across North America.

Hiring process

• Submit authentic responses demonstrating experience and approach rather than relying on generative AI for the cover letter or application questions.
• Application responses may be reviewed using AI decoders, and highly matching answers may affect the review.