Position Details: Strategy Director, Research & Insights

TCS Interactive is the digital services business of Tata Consultancy Services. We pride ourselves on the often decades-long relationships we build with clients—partnerships that grant us unrivaled knowledge of their business and systems. This deep understanding enables us to drive transformation that leads to genuine, meaningful change. 

We exist to help marketers optimize marketing technology for growth. As a Creative Engineering company, we help engineer creativity—bringing together strategy, systems, and storytelling to unlock the full power of brands. Our integrated approach creates customer value, accelerates growth, and builds market share, ensuring our clients are not just keeping pace with change, but leading it. 

 

TCSi is adding agency services to its global practice. The role of the Director of Research & Insights is part of a new, truly end-to-end advisory offering from TCS. This means the DR&I is not only a practitioner and leader but will shape the character and ways of working for their discipline. They will need to be both strategist and visionary. The Director of Research & Insights is focused on creating value for our teams and clients through a deep understanding of clients, customers, markets, and trends. They have a keen understanding of the present and past and a focus on the coming future, the impacts of a changing world, and how these shifts can be leveraged to create growth and value for our customers.  

As the senior practitioner of research and insights, they will be a member of the CMO Advisory group and work in close partnership with the rest of the leadership team, including the Managing Partner, the Senior Partner of Strategy, the Senior Partner of CX Strategy, the lead of Operations and the Heads of Account management for our BFSI, CPG and Life Sciences/Healthcare verticals. They will lead by example as well as managing other research and insights professionals and collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams.  

Job Description:

To do so, they will have a demonstrated ability to use their experience, qual and quant storytelling to engage and persuade senior clients. The soft skills demanded from this position include a proven track record of being persuasive *in the room* with clients, with the ability to project authority and personable collaboration with clients and senior agency personnel. 

 

The Director of Research & Insights will be an expert in consumer behavior, demonstrating the capability to look at consumer behavior and generate business strategies. They will be expected to bring significant analytic capability and problem-solving ability and develop new capabilities in how we do research, and use data and new tools to change the way we do research. They will have proven experience with methodology innovation, agile research sprints, mixed method design, etc.  

The capacity to analyse, diagnose, and action solutions that lead to insight-led strategic development and data-informed decision making. They will need to be seen as a multi-tool solutions provider who can work across multiple domains and industries. This includes intellectual curiosity and a work history that demonstrates the ability to quickly master complex subjects and then lead in those new domains. 

 

Key Responsibilities: 

Client Advisory - Research and insights, customer data. 

Data partnership -New ways to research, deep engagement with tools and partners to change they ways we gather knowledge and understanding of it.  

Problem Solving:  

Identify and address strategic challenges faced by the agency and clients. Develop innovative solutions to complex problems, ensuring alignment with overall business goals. Utilize analytical thinking and creativity to overcome obstacles and drive continuous improvement. Lead brainstorming sessions and workshops to foster a problem-solving culture within the team. 

Storytelling and Presentation Development:  

Craft compelling narratives that effectively communicate strategic insights and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders. Develop engaging and visually appealing presentations that clearly articulate complex ideas, ensuring clarity and impact. Utilize storytelling techniques to create memorable and persuasive content that drives client buy-in and supports strategic objectives. Guide and mentor the team in honing their presentation skills to deliver high-quality, client-facing materials. 

Team Management:  

Lead, mentor, and inspire junior team members. Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture that encourages continuous learning and development. 

Client Engagement:  

Serve as a strategic partner to key clients, understanding their business goals and challenges. Deliver compelling strategic recommendations that align with their objectives. 

Market Analysis:  

Conduct comprehensive market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive threats. Utilize data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making. 

Innovation and Trends:  

Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies. Advocate for the integration of innovative solutions that enhance client outcomes and agency capabilities. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration:  

Collaborate with creative, technology, and client service teams to ensure the seamless execution of strategic initiatives. Facilitate alignment across departments to deliver cohesive and impactful solutions. 

Thought Leadership:  

Represent the agency at industry events, conferences, and in publications. Contribute to the agency's thought leadership efforts by sharing insights and perspectives on digital strategy and innovation. 

 

Qualifications: 

Global experience preferred; North America experience is a plus. 

15+ years of experience in Research and Insights 

Fluency with modern research platforms  

Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams. 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy. 

Strategic thinker with a proven track record of developing and executing successful consulting strategies. 

Deep understanding of the business landscape and industry-specific challenges of Fortune 500 companies. 

Ability to thrive in a workplace with a rich cultural heritage, including a strong emphasis on Indian values and traditions.  

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