Careers

Job Title:  Research Director, Product Development

Department: GfK Automotive
Location:  Irvine, California or Southfield, Michigan (Detroit area)
Job Code: JR-RM-TECH-PRN 

Company Summary: 

Headquartered in New York, GfK Custom Research North America (www.gfkamerica.com) is part of the GfK Group (www.gfk.com), the world's fifth largest market research company. GfK Custom Research North America combines the global resources of the GfK Group with the local knowledge of North America's leading research and consulting companies delivered by more than 700 employees in the US and Canada. Beyond our sector-specific experts, specialty practice areas and research centers of excellence, we deliver unmatched knowledge designed to help our clients grow their business.

By offering access to several of the world's largest databases combined with a full-range of ad-hoc research services, GfK Custom Research North America delivers proven, state-of-the-art solutions developed from a 360° view of each client's market. These include GfK Roper Reports®, GfK Starch® Ad Readership Studies, GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media public release surveys and more.

For more than 20 years, GfK Automotive has been the preeminent provider of product, brand and consumer research and consulting to the global automotive industry.  The position will be located in either the Southfield, Michigan office or the Irvine, California office of GfK Automotive.  We are seeking a positive, team-oriented Research Director to oversee the development efforts for new products and revisions to existing products, and to integrate GfK corporate (North America and Worldwide) products within the GfK Automotive organization.  This position reports to the VP of Product/Business Development.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Oversee the development of new and/or revisions to existing products and services to be offered by GfK Automotive including definition of needs and specifications, determination of costs/timing, development of resource plan, and development of marketing materials.
  •  Act as lead product champion for GfK Custom Research tools, expertise, and products for the Automotive Sector.  

  • Develop and oversee GfK Automotive training curriculum for new employees including new hire orientation, on the job training, and product training depending on position and department

Experience & Skill Responsibilities:

  • Experience with variety of market research studies, methodologies and techniques in automotive (required) and other industries (preferred)
  • Knowledge of the automotive and automotive market research industry (preferred)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to sell ideas and concepts effectively to all levels of an organization, both internally and externally
  • Excellent presentation skills 
  • Ability to create organized plans involving multiple stakeholders
  • Strong Project management skills
  • Ability to consistently produce high quality work (attention to detail)
  • Ability to perform and write client analyses including the use of Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Word
  • Ability to manage simultaneous requests (good organizational skills, multi-tasking ability) 

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree required.  MBA optional, but not required. 

Application Procedures: 

We offer a very competitive salary commensurate with your experience and a full benefits package.  Please submit your resume and cover letter via email to GFKAutoDetroit@gfk.com .  Your submission must include Job Code JR-RM-TECH-PRN in the subject line of your email and provide salary requirements in order to be considered. 

EOE/M/F/V