[Hiring] Ad Sales Research Director @AARP

Role Description

The Ad Sales Research Director role requires a unique combination of consumer insights expertise, strategic consulting, advertising knowledge, audience measurement, data storytelling, and business acumen. The position serves as both a research leader and trusted advisor, transforming complex data into actionable recommendations that influence advertiser decision-making, strengthen market positioning, support revenue growth, and establish organizational thought leadership.

• Manages all aspects of a quarterly primary study, with participation among several advertisers.
• Consults with advertisers to understand the big-picture of their business, as well as their current marketing objectives.
• Makes recommendations for how this study can best be utilized to gather information that will enable advertisers to better accomplish their marketing objectives.
• Develops survey questions, runs and analyzes data tabs, and analyzes study findings.
• Presentation of results and marketing implications to key client stakeholders who are frequently director level and above.
• Manages year-long advertising effectiveness studies for clients.
• Prepares in-depth, longitudinal advertising campaign performance analyses for multiple advertisers.
• Provides consultation that identifies both strengths of past performance and opportunities for greater success in an advertiser’s future marketing efforts.
• Envisions and creates proprietary member research insights from all primary research projects in order to deepen advertiser relationships, strengthen advertising performance, and reinforce a position of authority.
• Develops consumer and category insights in order to continually educate the sales team in ways that help them carry more authority in their daily efforts to procure advertising revenue.
• Assists management with planning and developing initiatives that continually raise the bar for the team’s deliverables and processes.
• Manages research contracts and external vendor relationships, with a focus on cost savings and maximizing ROI.
• Participates in evaluation of new research-related products and services.
• Maintains the calendar for all department projects.
• Maximizes annual expenditures by rebalancing resources and developing efficient budget management and solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Market Research, Marketing, Business, Social Sciences, or a related field, with eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in market research, consumer insights, analytics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading custom research programs, including member research, omnibus studies, and other research initiatives that deliver actionable insights and support business and strategic priorities.
• Demonstrated expertise in the 50+ consumer, including experience developing audience insights, estimates, and research-based prototypes for media, marketing, or publishing initiatives.
• Experience supporting data match initiatives and leveraging data and analytics to generate meaningful consumer and business insights.
• Experience managing digital and cross-media brand lift studies and evaluating campaign effectiveness and brand impact.
• Demonstrated ability to develop thought leadership and research-based content for business partners, providers, advertisers, or other external audiences.
• Experience managing research budgets and external research vendors or service provider relationships, with a focus on ensuring effective resource utilization and high-quality deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to drive innovation, improve work quality, and increase efficiency across research and analytics processes.
• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position.

Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions.
• Home office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate home environment noise.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k).
• 100% company-funded pension plan.
• Health, dental, and vision plans.
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave.
• Performance-based and peer-based recognition.
• Tuition reimbursement.