Sr. Manager, Consumer Insights - Brand & Audience

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Job Description

This position reports to the Senior Director of Consumer Insights and, in collaboration with members of the broader Data Insights & Strategic Analytics department, will play a pivotal role in developing a deep understanding of media audiences and their perceptions and attitudes towards Versant portfolio brands.

The Senior Manager will lead research studies from design through execution in support of brand and audience strategy, including but not limited to: a portfolio-wide brand tracking study, audience segmentations, market sizing, competitive benchmarking, and cross-platform brand research.

The ideal candidate for this role is someone who loves tackling tough questions, is passionate about consumer insights and the evolving media industry and has a talent for synthesizing multiple data sources into clear and persuasive stories with actionable insights – in order to engage, influence, and inspire cross-functional stakeholders at various levels.

Responsibilities:

• Lead primary research efforts from strategy through execution to generate actionable brand & audience insights across the portfolio
• Design and execute quantitative and qualitative studies from start to finish, partnering with internal collaborators and external vendors as needed to elevate insights into strategic learnings driving brand and business growth
• Play a key role in managing a complex, portfolio-wide brand tracking study, with a focus on interpreting results, translating and presenting findings to stakeholders, and managing operational efforts  
• Leverage syndicated data sources to add additional context to primary research findings and behavioral data
• Develop and present story-driven, executive-friendly presentations tailored to individual stakeholders and teams
• Help support overall needs and goals of the Consumer Insights and broader Data Insights & Strategic Analytics team, including managing a Senior Analyst, mentoring other junior team members, and helping to elevate the research team’s value, thought leadership, and influence within the organization
• Assist with team project management and administrative duties, from helping with the budget/invoice process to maintaining a research schedule

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree - preferably in business, communications, marketing, psychology, social sciences, or a related field
• 5-10 years of experience in media or market research, including working for a client-side company or market research supplier
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative research, including survey design, sampling plans, and analysis, as well as qualitative research, including focus groups, IDIs, and community panels
• Ability to learn various tools and interfaces for conducting research (programming surveys, manipulating data) and visualizing data and research results
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure to keep projects moving forward
• Attention to detail, with the ability to maintain a strategic perspective
• Ability to synthesize key insights from multiple sources (primary and secondary) and succinctly share information for strategic decisions
• Excellent writing and storytelling skills to create visually compelling presentations that bring data and consumers to life
• Excellent verbal communication skills with an ability to adapt communications and level of necessary details to the audience
• Capable project manager, able to oversee projects from inception to completion, with the ability to balance competing priorities
• Knowledge and passion for TV and digital media, including entertainment, sports, and/or news

Desired Characteristics:

• Experience supporting on