Overview
Insights & Strategy Director (Maternity Cover) – Leeds, Hybrid (2 days in office: Monday & Thursday). Employment Type: 9-month fixed term.
Salary - Competitive + Benefits
About Spark and Audience Collective
Spark is part of Audience Collective – a group of specialist agencies connected by a shared belief that different perspectives create better outcomes. That means we bring deep expertise, cross-agency collaboration, and a big-picture view to every project.
We’re proud of our down-to-earth, open culture – where curiosity is encouraged, development is supported, and people genuinely enjoy working together.
Established in 2007, Spark has grown from a boutique qualitative agency into a full-service research agency offering a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and innovative products. Our research solutions range from the core approaches you’d expect from a research agency to more bespoke and inventive products – all designed to deliver clearer human insight that helps brands make confident decisions.
The Jelly Baby in our logo represents ‘the human’ in research – we speak fluent human. Our mission is to empower confident decision-making through human-centricity and fresh thinking. We pride ourselves on uncovering Human Truths by exploring the whole human experience to reveal insights that fuel brand growth.
The Role
This temporary position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within our Insights and Strategy team, covering a key leadership role during a period of maternity leave. As acting director, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, champion innovative approaches, and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality strategic insights to our clients.
We’re seeking a dynamic and intellectually curious Insights and Strategy Director to lead and inspire across both quantitative and qualitative research disciplines. This is a pivotal role for someone who thrives on delivering exceptional insights, dazzling clients, mentoring talent, and driving business growth through compelling proposals and thought-provoking debriefs.
You’ll be the strategic brain behind our most complex projects, the trusted advisor to our clients, and the guiding force for our research team. You’ll also play a central role in pitching and winning new work, shaping our commercial strategy, and elevating our reputation in the industry.
Key Responsibilities
Research Leadership
* Design and lead end-to-end quantitative and qualitative research projects across sectors and methodologies
* Ensure methodological rigour, storytelling excellence, and actionable insight in every deliverable
* Stay ahead of industry trends and champion innovation in research approaches
Client Impact
* Build strong, consultative relationships with clients, becoming their go-to for strategic thinking and problem-solving
* Present findings with clarity, confidence, and flair – whether in boardrooms or brainstorms
* Proactively identify opportunities to add value and grow client accounts
Business Development
* Write persuasive, tailored proposals that win work and showcase our strategic edge
* Lead pitch teams, shaping the narrative, methodology, and presentation strategy
* Represent the agency at industry events, panels, and thought leadership forums
Team Development
* Mentor and coach researchers at all levels, fostering a culture of curiosity and excellence
* Lead internal training sessions on research techniques, storytelling, and client engagement
* Provide constructive feedback and champion professional growth across the team
Strategic Communication
* Craft compelling debriefs that go beyond data – telling stories that drive decisions
* Translate complex findings into clear, engaging narratives for diverse audiences
* Contribute to thought leadership through blogs, white papers, and case studies
KPIs & Success Metrics
Area KPI / Metric: Strategic Delivery – Quality and impact of insights delivered across flagship projects; Client Satisfaction – Client feedback scores and retention rates; Business Growth – Value of new business won through proposals and pitches (Proposal Win Rate); Team Development – Progression and performance of direct reports and mentees; Thought Leadership – Number of external contributions (events, publications, webinars); Innovation & IP – Development of new methodologies, frameworks, or proprietary tools; Commercial Contribution – Revenue growth from existing accounts and strategic upselling
What We’re Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience
* Proven experience in leading both quantitative (e.g. surveys, segmentation, analytics) and qualitative (e.g. depth interviews, ethnography, workshops) research
* Exceptional communication and presentation skills – able to impress clients and inspire teams
* Strong commercial acumen and a track record of winning work through proposals and pitches
* Experience mentoring and developing junior researchers
* Strategic mindset with a passion for storytelling and insight-driven thinking
Desirable Traits
* Naturally curious, with a love of learning and sharing knowledge
* Energetic, confident, collaborative, and comfortable in fast-paced environments
* A flair for writing – whether it’s a proposal, a debrief, or a LinkedIn post
* A ‘professionally informal’ personal impact style
What We Offer
* A vibrant, supportive team culture that values creativity and collaboration
* Opportunities to shape the future of research and influence client strategy
* Competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development support
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