JOB DESCRIPTION
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (AD)
Reports to:Client Service Director / Research Director
Job Statement:Associate Directors will assume full responsibility for the project research requirements of nominated clients and potential clients, ensuring that the full range of MMR services is understood, agreeing quotations, closing contracts, and managing research projects to such quality that repeat business is generated.
Key Responsibilities:
Business Development
1.Maintain and increase business with specific clients by providing excellent research, client service and client support.
2.Develop new clients.
3.Work with fellow ADs to create effective client development strategies.
4.Involvement in the marketing and sales strategies for MMR on a company-wide basis.
5.Involvement in the development of new methodologies/research tools.
6.Act as centre of excellence for specific research/marketing specialisations.
Briefs and Proposals
7.Maximise the number of appropriate briefs obtained from clients.
8.Submit proposals in response to client briefs, which have maximum potential to win
business.
Project Work
9.Plan individual projects from start to finish and obtain appropriate resources to conduct the research.
10.Ensure that objectives are clearly understood and techniques properly costed, and establish appropriate protocols for qualitative and quantitative products.
11.Supervise individuals within his/her various project teams and have regard for team welfare.
12.Ensure that the project is conducted to the highest possible standards of quality and timeliness, commensurate with clients’ needs and budgets.
13.Ensure that the project debrief is excellent in every respect.
14.Take overall responsibility for financial aspects of projects, ensuring actual costs against budgeted and timely invoicing and payment.
15.To adhere to company procedures as defined in the ISO Manual, ensuring high quality in operational matters and client relations at all times.
Line Management & Training Responsibilities
16.Act as line manager for particular members of the research team.
17.Assume a training role for other members of the research team and otherwise impart knowledge, which will help colleagues to work more efficiently and effectively.
18.To promote, at all times, a pleasant working environment for all staff and workers at MMR.
Associate Director - Skills Outline
In order to fully develop into the role, you must demonstrate competency in key behavioural and technical skills:
Behavioural
Self-Management – Allows for contingencies, foresees potential clashes, and manages workloads as effectively as possible
Communication – Can tailor content and style of communications in the most demanding and ambiguous situations; can persuade without dominating at the highest levels.
Working with Others – Fosters co-operation across departments, improving processes and policies to develop and promote a team spirit.
Client Service – Initiates new client contact and develops additional or new business through building trust and respect with prospective and existing clients.
Innovation/Creativity - Considers alternative and exciting ways of meeting client briefs through research design and debrief delivery.
Learning and Improving - Identifies areas that self and team need to develop in and proactively seeks to ensure relevant knowledge and skills are acquired. Monitors the implementation of learning by self and own staff members.
Technical
Project Design – Scopes projects and writes proposals for clients with minimum input from senior management where precedents do not exist.
Project Management – Identifies best practice within the team on project management and ensures this is communicated and where possible adopted by others. Looks for opportunities to improve project management and adapts policy and procedures accordingly. Allocates project management according to client need, taking into account development needs of team members and their strengths/weaknesses.
Client Focus and Client Management – Co-ordinates client relationships to avoid overlap and to ensure continuity of client service.
Analysis and Interpretation – Encourages new thinking and challenges the team’s findings to ensure they are focused on the right issues.