Research Director

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Ipsos Aotearoa in Wellington is hiring a Research Director or Associate Director to lead social research projects, shaping culturally anchored methods, managing budgets and timelines, growing client partnerships, and mentoring junior researchers. You will drive proposals and business development, oversee analysis, and deliver actionable insights while advancing kaupapa Māori research and building strong relationships with Māori and Pacific communities. The ideal candidate has a tertiary degree, managerial social research experience, can run large studies, and demonstrates solid questionnaire design and reporting plus leadership to uplift others. To apply, tailor your CV and cover letter with concrete examples and submit via Apply Now, noting NZ work rights and onsite requirement.

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Nau mai, haere mai – join us in shaping meaningful social impact in Aotearoa

At Ipsos, we believe powerful social research flourishes when grounded in whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and deep respect for the communities we serve. We’re seeking an experienced Wellington-based social researcher who thrives in culturally anchored research spaces, and who brings bold insight to issues facing all people. 

We’re open to considering candidates at either Research Associate Director or Director level, depending on experience, scope, and cultural leadership strengths. 

About the Role:
In this role you will lead project teams in the design, set-up, and management of cutting-edge social research projects for predominantly government clients, while also driving account management and business development activities. You will play a pivotal role in mentoring your direct report and other junior researchers, shaping their career path and skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and nurture trusted partnerships with our key clients, acting as a kaitiaki for their aspirations and ensuring our research delivers meaningful, actionable insights.
• Working alongside others in the team to shape research methodologies with a focus on cultural integrity, ensuring projects meet budget and deadlines. 
• Play a key role in shaping our direction including budgeting and strategy, and actionable insights.
• Develop proposals, tenders, and new business pitches that reflects our values and vision
• Oversee and conduct research analysis; deliver insights to clients.
• Support and mentor your direct report, encouraging growth through clear goals, regular feedback implementing career development pathways.

About You:

• Tertiary qualification in Business, Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, or related fields.
• Experience at a managerial level in social research (evaluation experience advantageous).
• Experience in leading culturally centered research, particularly with Māori and Pacific respondents, able to embody tikanga and build trustful, respectful relationships.
• Experience working with social marketing clients and their creative and media agencies to develop, test and monitor campaigns particularly in the behaviour change space.
• Proven ability in managing large-scale research projects.
• Excellent questionnaire design and report writing skills.
• While the role has a quantitative focus, qualitative research skills would be advantageous.
• Strong leadership in uplifting and empowering others, can development, and can delegate and support people to reach their potential.
• Experience in leading / supporting new business development.
• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• As well as strong local presence, Ipsos has the backing of a global organisation dedicated to investing in ensuring our offerings are best practice and leading-edge. Ipsos values collaboration across markets and this allows us to work with and learn from global colleagues who are working to solve the same problems as our NZ based clients face.

Why Ipsos? 

• Ipsos Aotearoa is committed to growing our kaupapa Māori research capability, we know there’s much to learn, and we’re eager to do this alongside the right people.  Based in our central Wellington office, we deliver quantitative and qualitative research to public sector and commercial clients, helping shape positive outcomes across Aotearoa.  You’ll join a dynamic and supportive team that’s focused on meaningful impact and genuine professional growth. 

Employee Benefits:

• Regular social events and learning & development programs.
• Paid leave days for volunteering, celebrating your birthday, and health insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), flexible work environment, and the opportunity to work overseas for up to 6 weeks per year.
• Centrally-located Wellington office 

Awarded the Most Effective Research Agency at the Research Association awards in 2024, Ipsos is a leading global market and social research company with offices in 90 countries, including Auckland and Wellington. We are passionate about insights, solving problems, and delivering best-in-class research solutions for our diverse range of clients.

If you’re interested in this role and meet the criteria, please submit your CV and cover letter by clicking "Apply Now." We look forward to hearing from you!

Note: This position is only open to applicants with the right to live and work in New Zealand.

Ipsos is one of the world’s largest research companies and currently the only one primarily managed by researchers, ranking as a #1 full-service research organization for four consecutive years. With over 75 different data-driven solutions, and presence in 90 markets, Ipsos brings together research, implementation, methodological, and subject-matter experts from around the world, combining thematic and technical experts to deliver top-quality research and insights. Simply speaking, we help the biggest companies solve some of their biggest problems, serving more than 5000 clients across the globe by providing research, data, and insights on their target markets. And we are proud of our continuous efforts in making Ipsos the best place to work!