Head of Strategic Research (Primary Research)

Location: Remote; must be based in the US or Canada, preferably working East Coast hours. Occasional travel to offices in the US, UK, and other locations, plus regular travel to conferences and industry events.

Salary: $170,000+ USD or $190,000+ CAD, plus bonus.

Company

hirify.global, Explorer, and Plinc are connected research and insight businesses within the Next 15 Communications Group, combining quantitative and qualitative research, proprietary technology, and consulting.

What you will do

• Own research design, methodological governance, and quality standards across hirify.global, Explorer, and Plinc.
• Act as the senior authority on research quality and resolve complex methodological questions.
• Shape the group’s research agenda in partnership with senior leadership.
• Collaborate across research, commercial, marketing, and product divisions.
• Represent the group through published writing, industry speaking, media engagement, and client and academic discussions.
• Identify responsible uses of AI, technology, and automation to improve research quality, consistency, and efficiency.

Requirements

• Extensive experience conducting primary research across multiple methodologies.
• Deep expertise in quantitative research, qualitative research, or both.
• Experience shaping research practice beyond an individual team and operating at a senior level.
• Credibility as a methodological authority with a strong record of public-facing research work.
• Experience from an agency, consultancy, client-side, academic, or think-tank environment.
• Familiarity with sectors including FMCG, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, technology, financial services, or retail, plus experience using secondary research data.

Culture & Benefits

• Remote role with flexible working practices.
• Bonus scheme and generous paid time off.
• Health package and retirement plan.
• Team and company social events.
• Health and wellbeing, charity and volunteering, and DE&I committees.
• Mentoring, coaching, and extensive training programs.

Hiring process

• Authentic responses reflecting personal experience and approach are encouraged.
• Generative AI should not be used to write cover letters or application responses, as this may be considered during review.
• Visa sponsorship is not available.