The Primary Research Manager:
Splash 4 Partners (“S4P”) is looking for a Primary Research Manager (“PRM”) to join its consulting and diligence advisory practice. This role is for an integral functional team lead responsible and accountable for executing the primary research portions of industry due diligence, growth strategy, and voice-of-the customer projects. This role has a heavy focus on identifying, accessing, and interviewing subject matter experts (“SMEs”).
S4P works with private equity firms, middle market executives, and specialty lenders to make investment decisions, develop and execute growth strategies, identify acquisition targets, and enter new markets. The Primary Research Manager will be responsible for managing entire segments of client engagements such as: managing survey vendors, drafting interview guides, drafting and programming survey questions, recruiting interview participants / SMEs, conducting in-depth interviews, report production, and advising clients of key findings. The Primary Research Manager will work out of the Richmond, Virginia office (note: S4P is currently working from home with plans to be back in more traditional office space sometime in 2022).
Our team works closely to deliver high-touch services and actionable results to clients. The firm operates with a flat hierarchy, giving team members the ability to own sections of each project and further their professional development. We operate under a principal of responsibility and ownership of one’s work. The Primary Research Manager will collaborate with all members of the Splash 4 team but will work closely with and report to the VP – Project Lead. The Primary Research Manager will work closely with Primary Research Support team members for whom he/she is primarily responsible to manage and develop. For more about the firm, use your research skills and let us know what you find and why you want to work at Splash 4 Partners.
Responsibilities (What you will be doing):
Assist in scoping the primary research portions of new project engagements
Lead all primary research functions with a heavy emphasis on developing strategies and action plans for identifying and accessing SMEs
Determine when high-volume surveys are needed vs. smaller but more in-depth interviews vs. both
Draft thoughtful survey question, interview guides, talk tracks, and call scripts
Research, identify, recruit, and schedule interview participants / SMEs
Conduct in-depth interviews
Manage third-party survey vendor relationships; obtain and negotiate survey vendor project quotes; identify other possible vendor partners over time and cultivate and manage those relationships
Synthesis and analysis of quantitative and qualitative information / responses
Quantitative analysis of survey and interview responses, including but not limited to data analysis in Excel
Identify and communicate key themes and findings from the primary research
Manage project workflows, including divide call responsibilities, track team progress, communicate progress, and ensure deadlines and outcomes are met
Create and improve upon best practices, processes, protocols, and tools
Assist in secondary research
PowerPoint creation and formatting
And more
Experience & Skills (What you bring to the table):
A minimum of 5 – 7+ years of relevant experience
Experience conducting in-depth primary research; B2B is a plus, but B2C is fine, too.
Enjoys interviewing people and learning about new industries; likes being on the phone
Strong listener and copious note taker
Exceptional at formulating and asking good questions
Experience with writing, programming, and interpreting surveys; use of commercial survey tools (e.g., Decipher, Qualtrics, etc.) is not required but a plus
Strong business acumen and ability to prioritize; strong logic and reasoning skills
Inherently curious
Takes ownership of and pride in assignments big and small; constantly looks to improve their craft, and absorbs feedback
Process driven
Pays close attention to detail, meticulous
Adept at reading between the lines in interviews, listening to what is not said as much as what is said, listening to how responses are given, and reading body language when in person
Able to give and receive direct feedback
Calm under pressure
Ability to communicate effectively (in writing, via phone, and in person) with a wide variety of individuals
Good at business writing, editing, and synthesizing concepts, ideas, and themes
Ability to work both independently and also as part of a team; team-centric approach; never wants to let down teammates and always wants to contribute
Thinks beyond the scope of a given assignment; ability to understand a process and anticipate next steps and take the initiative to act on it
Solution-oriented; creative problem solver
How to Apply (Instructions on how to impress):
Email your resume and cover letter to jgrosshandler@splash4partners. Cover letters should be their own separate document from the resume. The cover letter should highlight who you are, why you are interested in working at S4P, and what makes you uniquely qualified for the position. In the body of the email, please respond to one odd and one even question from the list below with extreme brevity.
If you were given seven minutes to teach me something, what would it be?
What is the best piece of career advice you try to live by and why?
What is at the top of your learner’s bucket list and why?
Watch the links below. Pick one that resonates with you and share how you can relate to it. If none of these speak to you, pick one of your own and share the link and why it speaks to you and how you can relate.
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUqxDUIM7NY
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ