Client Services Director (Consumer & Product Research) – Deerfield, IL
At Curion, we are embarking on a period of great transformation and revenue growth while increasing efficiency and productivity. To establish ourselves as the provider of choice for consumer and product testing, we need a professional who knows the industry and can connect with clients—from consumer insight professionals to R&D technical team members in large companies. We are currently looking for a Client Services Director to be the leading force that fuels our growing client relationships. The ideal person will have proven experience establishing and expanding client relationships, delivering great research work and ensuring customer satisfaction within your accounts. You will be a proactive and curious member of our growing account management team, responsible for achieving revenue targets while engaging your team to deliver great research.
Key Responsibilities
- The Director of Client Services is assigned a portfolio of clients, with the responsibility to grow the business within this portfolio. In order to drive revenue growth within the portfolio, it is expected that the Director will develop lasting, trust-based relationships with their respective clients
- Responsible for creating a plan to deliver against stated revenue targets including quarterly / monthly projections, etc.
- Propose and deliver solutions to solve problems for clients by understanding their business and research objectives and exceeding their expectations
- Act as a subject matter expert, consultant and advisor on research methodologies
- Perform prospecting activities such as cold calling, networking, and client visits in partnership with Global Strategy Director and VP
- Follow-up with clients regularly to ensure needs are being met and identify opportunities for growth
- Share Curion best practices for research, including advanced product research methods with clients and industry partners
- Work with PM’s on specific projects to ensure the quality of deliverables
- Mentor and develop junior team members by encouraging curiosity and growth, especially in the areas of new research methods, development of a strategic perspective and impactful reporting
- Illustrate the value of Curion’s products and services to create growth opportunities; conduct annual account analysis to identify trends and opportunities
- Perform prospecting activities such as online presentations, in-person networking and client visits to maintain and secure continued revenue growth amongst assigned clients
- Stay current on key industry trends and research methodologies
- Participate in brainstorming, team meetings, researching and assisting with program development for existing clients and new prospects
- Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure quality and timely delivery of projects and results
Skills and Qualifications
- Experience in identification and application of consumer and product research tools and methodologies to drive product guidance and validation
- Experience in the interpretation and use of advanced statistical data, DOEs, Category Appraisals, Benchmarking, Drivers of Liking, multi-variate analysis etc.
- Ability to translate research results into actionable insights to support client objectives
- Excellent planning and project management skills
- Ability to be responsive to client requests in a high volume fast-paced environment
- Experience in managing multiple projects at various stages of completion and to support PM’s, throughout project execution
- Ability to understand client needs and the scoping of work in order to propose and negotiate fees and services
- Experience overseeing budgets and expenses
- Experience working with external vendors when necessary for qualitative and quantitative research
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM software, with aptitude to learn systems
- Willingness to travel as needed to meet with clients and prospects
- Previous work experience in insights/market research and cross-functional team leadership; supply side preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Psychology, Market Research, Business/Marketing or related field
Curion is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.
About the company
Curion specializes in delivering impactful insights to the world's top CPG companies, helping them develop winning, repeatedly purchased products. Curion’s deep data-driven product insights, sensory expertise, and state-of-the-art consumer centers enable them to uncover responses to critical client objectives. With over five decades of experience in the product testing industry, Curion is dedicated to guiding clients with their proprietary Product Experience and Performance (PXP™) platform, connecting brands to consumers at every step. As an innovator in the industry, Curion recently developed a groundbreaking benchmarking product testing method, the Curion Score™, which has become a trusted and sought after tool within the industry. As one of the largest product and consumer insights companies in the U.S., Curion has built a reputation for excellence and trust among the world's leading consumer brands. Curion’s commitment to innovation and expertise, coupled with a passion for delivering actionable insights, makes Curion a valuable partner for companies looking to develop and launch successful products.