Head of Qualitative Research

I'm hiring a Qualitative Research Lead to join a well-established creative, media and insight agency, leading and evolving their qualitative capability. This is a pivotal hire, taking ownership of the qualitative function and shaping how insight is delivered across the business. £70,000-£110,000 (flexible depending on experience) Mansfield - 3 days per week onsite The opportunityYou'll step into a team that already delivers strong core qualitative research - but now needs someone to: • Expand into more advanced methodologies (ethnography, semiotics, cultural insight) • Lead and grow a team (currently 3, scaling to 5) • Bring fresh thinking into how insight supports creative and strategic outputs • Raise the quality, breadth, and impact of qualitative work This is a genuine opportunity to own and rebuild a function, not just manage it. The roleQualitative leadership & delivery • Lead end-to-end qualitative research across multiple sectors • Design and deliver projects including ethnography, communities, depth interviews, and more • Bring new methodologies into the team (e.g. semiotics, cultural insight, behavioural approaches) • Deliver compelling, insight-led narratives to senior stakeholders Team leadership & growth • Line manage and develop a team of qualitative researchers (3-5 people) • Mentor, coach, and upskill the team • Support hiring and team growth Client & commercial work • Act as senior qualitative lead across key accounts • Work closely with account and strategy teams to shape client work • Support pitches, proposals, and growth opportunities Innovation & strategy • Bring new ideas, tools, and approaches into the insight function • Help evolve the agency's qualitative offering and positioning • Contribute to thought leadership and innovation across the team What you bringMust-haves • ~8+ years' experience in qualitative research (agency-side strongly preferred) • Currently at Associate Director or Director level • Proven experience leading and developing a qual team • Strong client-facing experience and stakeholder management • Ability to deliver high-quality, commercially impactful insight Key differentiators (very important) • Experience beyond traditionalqual: • Ethnography • Semiotics • Cultural / behavioural insight • Experience shaping or growing a qual function or capability Not the right fit if: • You've purely been a small part of a large, highly structured consultancy • You haven't had ownership of projects, clients, or teams The environment • Fast-paced, creative, and collaborative • Insight sits close to creative, strategy, and client teams • High exposure to major consumer brands (including global accounts) • Opportunity to have real influence, not just deliver work Location & working pattern • Mansfield - 3 days per week onsite (non-negotiable) • Some travel for research and client work Salary • £70k-£110k (flexible depending on experience) Why this role • True ownership of a qualitative function • Opportunity to expand into advanced and strategic research approaches • Lead a team and shape its future direction • Work in an agency where insight directly influences creative output and strategy • Rare role that combines hands-on research + leadership + innovation If you're an experienced qualitative leader who wants more ownership, influence, and the chance to evolve a function, this is a standout opportunity.