Full job description

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.