Research Manager - MSU

Research Manager

Market Strategy & Understanding (MSU) – Sydney

Ipsos is one of the world’s leading market research companies, founded and run by research professionals. With a presence in over 90 countries and offices across Australia, we help organisations better understand people—their behaviours, motivations, and decisions.

Working across sectors such as financial services, technology, and education, MSU focuses on areas like segmentation, Usage & Attitudes (U&A), and broader market strategy. Projects are often built from scratch, starting with loosely defined problems, requiring strong problem-solving, strategic thinking, and adaptability.

The team combines deep customer insight with consulting rigour to turn ambiguity into clear, actionable recommendations that drive real business impact.

In this role, you will lead end-to-end quantitative research projects, from design through to insight delivery. You will manage multiple workstreams, translating complex business challenges into clear, data-driven recommendations. Working closely with clients and senior stakeholders, you will help deliver actionable insights that inform strategic decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of quantitative research programmes, from initial problem framing through to insight generation and final recommendations
• Partner closely with senior stakeholders to translate ambiguous business challenges into robust research designs and methodologies
• Develop high-quality survey instruments and research materials for customised, ad-hoc studies (e.g. segmentation, U&A, market understanding)
• Oversee project management across multiple concurrent studies, ensuring delivery to scope, timeline, and quality standards
• Apply rigorous analytical approaches to interrogate data, synthesise findings, and identify commercially relevant insights
• Distil complex data into clear, compelling narratives that inform strategic decision-making
• Produce and present client-ready reports and presentations, contributing to high-impact insight delivery
• Act as a key client contact, demonstrating a consultative approach and building trusted relationships
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure seamless execution and high-quality output
• Operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-demand environment, managing competing priorities and varying project complexity

YOUR PROFILE

• A degree in psychology, marketing, economics, business, or related field 
• Strong understanding of quantitative research methods and statistics 
• Proven project management skills with the ability to deliver on time and within budget
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with a professional and consultative style
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, with the ability to structure and progress loosely defined problems
• High attention to detail and strong analytical thinking 
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and thrive in a fast-paced environment 
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive, solutions-focused approach 
• Demonstrated capability in designing and delivering customised research programmes end-to-end
• Strong experience in ad-hoc quantitative research, ideally within an insights or consulting environment
• Naturally proactive, intellectually curious, and solution-oriented
• Proficiency in MS Office, with working knowledge of Q and SPSS
• 3+ years with strong client-facing experience with solid project coordination exposure

ABOUT IPSOS

We’re one of the world’s largest research companies, the only one founded and still managed primarily by researchers across 90 markets. We make our changing world easier and faster to navigate and inspire clients to make smarter decisions. The work we do helps provide a true understanding of our society, markets and people. But what makes us special is our people. We’re curious, collaborative, and driven to make a difference.

At Ipsos, we:

• Put people first
• Value diverse perspectives
• Encourage learning and development
• Create a workplace where you can truly belong

OUR CULTURE

Our culture is the best of both worlds - we combine the creative, entrepreneurial spirit of a boutique agency with the scale, diversity, and opportunities of a global organisation.

You’ll work alongside bright, friendly, and passionate people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We’re united by our core values of integrity, curiosity, collaboration, client first, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

And importantly—we enjoy what we do and make time to have fun along the way.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ESG

Our ambition is to lead ESG in our industry. We do this in three ways:

• We give businesses, governments and public bodies the confidence they need to take the right actions for the benefit of people and the planet, to drive long-term prosperity for all.
• Our experts produce primary data, research and insights to fuel a healthy public debate and create value by providing a true understanding of society, markets and people.
• We foster a culture that encourages diversity of thought where individuals can belong and produce work that drives impact. Through our Belong initiative, we support diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

At Ipsos, our people are at the heart of what we do. We offer a range of benefits to support your growth, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

• Learning and development programs, plus study assistance and study leave
• Paid leave for volunteering, your birthday, and starting a family
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellbeing support
• Flexible and hybrid work options
• Work From Anywhere (up to 6 weeks per year)
• Regular social events and a collaborative team environment
• Well-stocked office with daily breakfast, fresh fruit, snacks and hot drinks

Ipsos is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We seek belonging for all, promote diversity and practice equity. We are committed to building and supporting an inclusive workforce that truly reflects the global communities we operate in. People from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position is only open to applicants who have the right to live and work in Australia.