Research Manager - GMASCo - Al Futtaim Group

Job description / Role

Research Manager - GMASCo. - Al Futtaim Group - UAE

GMASCO enjoys an enviable reputation as the Gulfs most diverse full service communications, marketing and advertising agency in an industry typified by current decline, over-specialisation and lack of integration in other markets. Our Dubai location positions us in a still growing market at the hub of business in the northern hemisphere with a client base operating in more than 15 countries across the Middle East, Europe, the Sub Continent and Asia. Our offerings include every aspect of communications, advertising and marketing in traditional and new media formats.

Job Purpose:
- Supervise a small research team to ensure prompt delivery of service to the respective clients in order to achieve GMR financial objectives and other operational performance indicators. Maintain a client service orientation by managing day-to-day administration of client service / sales activities and coordinating on analysis and reporting of assigned research projects through the following
- Assisting in the overall business development of the research department
- Providing advice/consultation for clients as required
- Designs / supervises and plans research proposals / projects following client briefing and needs
- Designs / supervises the design of questionnaires/ discussion guides and methodologies of collecting information
- Co-ordinates / supervises the execution of projects, informs clients on progress and gives specific instructions to other departments/suppliers regarding the collection and electronic processing of information
- Co-operates / supervises with other departments / suppliers who will assist on the various stages of the above
- Works on / supervises the analysis and interpretation of results, provides feedback to clients and supervises / writes reports and recommendations
- Presents results of study to clients
- Reports to Senior Manager Research
- Some travel required

* Client Servicing
- Drive client satisfaction by providing insights and actionable recommendations during presentations or business reviews
- Undertake sales activities independently or in conjunction with senior staff in terms of preparation and delivery of proposal and credentials to ensure the generation of required revenue from the assigned client portfolio and proper contract costing in order to meet the agreed budget targets
- Ensure the services provided to clients are timely and precise according to client business needs and specifications while meeting the company's quality standards
- Identification and recommendation of enhanced and new products / services that answer clients' business needs
- Attend client planning meetings and contribute by providing GMR insights and solutions to clients business needs
- Assist in ensuring adherence to the approved company policies on business conduct / ethics when servicing clients
- Serve as primary contact to middle / senior level client contacts on ad-hoc requirements and understand and respond to questions on content, basic data issues/questions, report generation, etc.
- Ensure client service deliverables are aligned with the GMR service standards

* Functional and Technical
- Achieve revenue, profitability, quality, speed of delivery and productivity targets as assigned
- Ensure continuous market scoping initiatives and release of business proposals to targeted client are pursued to ensure adequate supply of business prospects are in the pipeline
- Contribute to overall team plan by generating revenue and/or cost savings ideas
- Maintain an accurate and up-to-date knowledge on research techniques and applications
- Provide value-added analyses and respond to special requests. Manage data quality issues by overseeing data inquiry process
- Ensure GMR standard operating procedures within area of responsibility are observed. Recommend improvements in work processes within area of responsibility

* People Management
- Set objectives and monitor performance for the team
- Ensure recognition of effective work performance and utilize effective disciplinary actions when appropriate
- Address professional development goals and needs of direct reports
- Ensure proper dissemination of information and implementation of GMR rules and regulations as well as policies and procedures
- Contribute to driving world class employee satisfaction through the implementation of relevant organizational initiatives that build on employee commitment

Job Context:
With the constantly changing environment/consumer trends in GCC, its increasing impact on the marketing, branding and marketing communication strategies GMR provides the group companies on their request, information and insights related to various strategic and tactical marketing / business issues. GMR performs a critical service oriented role in assisting the group companies to develop appropriate marketing / business action plans. Research manager is a key link in ensuring the transformation of business issue to research objectives and hence providing appropriate answers through data / information.

Additionally the factors that have critical impact on the Job are appropriate training and development, provision of appropriate tools/software.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:
- MBA Required
- Working knowledge of statistics and multivariate analysis
- Working knowledge of research techniques, analysis and methodologies primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative
- Business acumen and good knowledge of the market dynamics
- Excellent team management
- Knowledge of Arabic would be an added advantage

Work Experience:
10 to 14 years experience in market research with minimum 6 years experience with an international research agency and minimum 2 years experience as a buyer of research products / services

Job-Specific Skills:
- Proficient knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications. Working knowledge of SPSS, Conjoint Software and Multivariate analyses
- Project management experience, Strong analytical mind and Good organizational skills
- Excellent verbal & written communication skills ( English)
- Expertise in servicing customers and in-depth knowledge on CR methods, analysis and techniques
- Continuous learning and keeping up with new market trends and sharing of knowledge with the team

Behavioural Competencies:
- Influencing and persuading, confident, fast learner, continuous self-improvement, practical intelligence, people management and leadership

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.