Senior Research Manager

ABOUT MORNING CONSULT

Morning Consult is a global decision intelligence company changing how modern leaders make smarter, faster, better decisions. The company pairs its proprietary high-frequency data with rigorous analysis to better inform decisions on what people think and how they will act.

This position will be based in one of our office locations (Washington, DC; New York, NY; Chicago, IL) or can be based remotely.

Our award-winning and modern, open concept offices are located in Washington, DC, Chicago, IL and New York, NY. All three offices are accessible by public transportation and in close proximity to great restaurants and shopping.

Join us in the office for catered lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or grab a beverage from the fridge for an impromptu after-work happy hour!

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced market research professional to join Research Solutions as a Senior Research Manager, reporting to a Research Director. You will own the research behind a set of client accounts: executing custom quantitative studies, running multiple projects at once with little oversight, and building the kind of client relationships that lead to renewals and new work. You will work closely with Research Directors, Account Executives, and partners across Research Operations.

You will also help set the standard for the people around you. You will coach Research Managers and Research Associates on craft, service standards, and quality, including how to use AI well without lowering the bar for client-ready work.

You will thrive here if you move projects forward without waiting for direction, see problems before they reach the client, and enjoy making a team's work better.

THE RESEARCH SOLUTIONS TEAM AT MORNING CONSULT

The Research Solutions Team at Morning Consult is focused on custom-designed research and is crucial to Morning Consult’s industry-leading, customer-obsessed Commercial Organization and its ability to drive sustainable growth across our entire portfolio of business. Morning Consult’s mission is to deliver high-impact, quality intelligence at scale to decision-makers anytime, anywhere. Our team consists of business leaders and researchers with experience in market research, insights, political polling, strategic consulting and more.

WHAT YOU'LL BE WORKING ON

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS AND ACCOUNT GROWTH

• Nurture day-to-day relationships with client contacts and build toward near-autonomous leadership of at least one client. Handle moderate-complexity conversations confidently and without escalation.

• Earn trust through proactive communication, consistent delivery, and applied knowledge of each client's industry, competitors, and stakeholders.

• Spot expansion and research-bank opportunities and bring them to the Director or Account Executive with enough context to act.

• Contribute to proposals and pitches alongside Directors and AEs, adding the research perspective.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND DELIVERY

• Manage execution across the full project lifecycle, from kickoff prep through post-delivery documentation, across multiple concurrent projects.

• Apply methodological knowledge to survey design, analysis, and storytelling without Director direction. Catch gaps in the story at the outline stage on complex projects.

• Deliver first drafts that are close to client-ready, and use the deliverable and project checklists consistently at every stage gate.

• Meet Morning Consult's client service standards.

• Use Morning Consult's data ecosystem to deliver consultative value.

ANTICIPATING RISK

• Think ahead about downstream client and delivery implications. Raise risks to the Director before they reach the client, with proposed mitigations rather than just flags.

• Re-prioritize a full project load when timelines compress or scope shifts, without losing quality or client trust.

COLLABORATION AND COACHING

• Run touchpoints with Research Operations and Sales independently, keeping the Director informed without needing to loop them into every step.

• Coach Research Managers and Research Associates on tasks, service standards, and quality expectations. Give concrete, candid feedback and bring junior teammates into skill-building work.

INFLUENCING INNOVATION AND BEST PRACTICES (INCLUDING AI)

• Use AI in higher-complexity workflows (for example, multi-wave tracking and cross-tab analysis). Review every AI-assisted output critically before it moves forward, so nothing that isn't client-ready reaches a client or the next reviewer.

• Pressure-test new processes, propose improvements that benefit others, and document and share what works.

• Perform such other tasks and duties as may be required or assigned from time to time in the Company's discretion.

ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU'VE DONE

• 5+ years of experience designing and analyzing custom quantitative survey research

• A track record of running complex projects from design through client-ready deliverables with minimal oversight

• Experience managing client relationships and deepening trust over time

• Strong methodological knowledge

• Strong prioritization and project management skills across several concurrent projects

• Clear, persuasive communication, written and verbal, with the ability to turn findings into a compelling story

• Uncompromising attention to detail with high technical standards

• Experience or interest in coaching and developing teammates

• Comfort with ambiguity and change, and an openness to new ways of working

• Hands-on experience using AI tools in research or analytical work, with sound judgment about when output needs correction. We are looking for people who use AI regularly and well, not just frequently.

• Willingness to take feedback, learn, and grow

Note: We view the above section as a guide, not a checklist. Research shows that underrepresented/marginalized groups are less likely to apply for a job if they feel that they don't meet 100% of the qualifications. We welcome diverse and non-traditional backgrounds and encourage you to apply even if you don't satisfy every single bullet on this list! It's expected that you'll learn and grow throughout your time at Morning Consult, so if you're open to building new skills, we'd love to hear from you.

COMPENSATION

The expected salary range for this position is $81,700 - $130,000, with a midpoint of $105,800.

In most cases, we target the midpoint of our salary ranges for new hire compensation. This placement is reflective of full proficiency in a role. This role is eligible for additional variable compensation and an equity grant, which will be discussed in your initial recruiter conversation. Please see an overview of Morning Consult's benefits on our Career Page.

We are committed to a work environment that is inclusive to all and free of discrimination. It is our policy to be an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, citizenship status or any other factors prohibited by law. Morning Consult will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals.