Senior Research Director, Customer Success - Automotive

NIQ is seeking a Canada-based Senior Research Director, Customer Success - Automotive to lead our relationship with a major automotive manufacturer across the U.S. and Canadian markets. This highly visible role will have primary responsibility for delivering strategic research and insights, managing senior client relationships, and ensuring excellence in execution across both markets. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of the automotive industry across both the U.S. and Canada, with Canadian automotive market expertise particularly valued. Internally, this role requires a collaborative, hands-on leader who can provide guidance and mentorship across the account team, elevate the quality of client deliverables, and champion AI-enabled tools and new ways of working, helping the broader team adopt them to continuously improve the quality, efficiency, and impact of how we deliver insights to clients.

Responsibilities

Client & Account Leadership:

• Lead day-to-day senior relationship with clients across U.S. and Canadian markets, building trusted relationships and serving as strategic advisor.
• Own account deliverables and timelines across both markets, managing entire reporting process from storyline development and analysis through executive presentation.
• Manage client expectations, navigate challenging situations, balance client needs with NIQ priorities, and identify mutually beneficial solutions.
• Develop deep understanding of clients’ business priorities and identify opportunities for research and insights to inform decision-making.
• Lead development of proposals for contract renewals and incremental opportunities, partnering with internal stakeholders for growth and retention.

Insights, Storytelling & Executive Presentation:

• Navigate large data sets across multiple sources to test hypotheses, identify meaningful patterns, and translate findings into actionable recommendations addressing strategic business questions.
• Present research and recommendations confidently to senior and executive-level audiences with strong executive presence.
• Respond confidently during client discussions, defend conclusions when appropriate, and apply research and industry expertise for perspective beyond data.
• Serve as subject matter expert on U.S. and Canadian automotive markets, incorporating industry trends in data interpretation and recommendations.

Collaboration and Account Team Leadership:

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and coaching to team members, including thoughtful review and constructive feedback to strengthen deliverables and team capabilities.
• Delegate and coordinate work across account team while maintaining accountability for quality of deliverables.
• Work collaboratively across client accounts to contribute to product development and thought leadership.

Desired Attributes:

• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with ability to anticipate challenges and own resolutions.
• Intellectual curiosity and commitment to continuous learning about clients, consumers, automotive industry, technologies, and research methods.
• Ability to challenge status quo, drive meaningful change, apply AI-enabled tools and new ways of working, and bring others along to improve quality and efficiency.

Requirements

• 7+ years experience in market research, insights, brand tracking, advertising tracking, or related field with experience leading client relationships.
• Automotive industry experience strongly preferred; ideally supporting manufacturers and/or agencies. Strong knowledge of Canadian automotive market required; experience spanning Canadian and U.S. markets valued.
• Ability to synthesize complex research and data into strategic insights and recommendations.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills with executive presence, presenting to senior client audiences.
• Ability to operate autonomously, exercise judgment, and make decisions benefiting NIQ and clients.
• Proven ability to lead multiple projects and manage timelines, priorities, and stakeholders.
• Ability to coach and mentor colleagues, delegate work, and provide constructive feedback.
• Strong proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel; experience with large quantitative data sets. Working knowledge of SPSS or similar analytical software preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Ability to travel approximately 10%, typically 8-10 business trips annually within Canada and U.S.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

Pay Range: $98,000 - 140,000 CAD

Candidates must be currently located in the Greater Toronto Area, able to attend in-person client meetings there, and travel within Canada and the U.S. as required.

NIQ may use AI tools in recruitment governed by principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made by humans.