Business Research and Survey Lead

Be the next FACE of MRA!

Friendly. Accountable. Centered on Members. Engaged.

That's the FACE Culture - and what we live and breathe here at MRA.

The Business Research and Survey Lead will serve as both a project manager and subject matter expert, responsible for the development, execution, and optimization of MRA's Custom Business Research and Survey services. This role combines senior-level market research expertise with hands-on leadership of complex research initiatives, including custom internal and external research, member compensation and benefits surveys, and national surveys partnering with other Employer Associations.

Working under the direction of the Survey Manager, the individual will collaborate across teams to coordinate, plan, and implement various survey processes, ensuring the collection, analysis, and reporting of high-quality data. The position requires an in-depth understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and advanced data analysis techniques to inform business strategy and decision-making.

In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of survey quality, data accuracy, and stakeholder satisfaction while continuously improving processes and fostering strong internal and external relationships.

MRA's business and office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, though there will be some variations based on member and MRA assignments, projects, responsibilities, and department expectations. We have a "hybrid" working arrangement, with the expectation of working three days a week in the office or another MRA location as needed, including member locations.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead and Manage Survey Projects: Oversee complex survey research projects from design through data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as a subject matter expert in custom research methodologies, survey development, and advanced data analysis techniques, guiding best practices and continuous improvement.
• Quantitative & Qualitative Research: Conduct both quantitative and qualitative research and data analysis by utilizing advanced methodologies to generate meaningful insights and drive data-driven strategies.
• Collaboration & Insights: Work closely with members and cross-functional teams, including senior leadership, to provide actionable insights that support strategic business decision-making. Provide thought leadership and strategic guidance in the development and execution of market research strategies.
• Resource Accuracy, Optimization & Efficiency: Develop and execute strategies to optimize team resource allocation to ensure accurate data and reporting. Enhance efficiency across research projects, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outputs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Minimum 4 years of college with completion of a bachelor's degree.

Training or Experience: 5 years of related experience.

• Quantitative and qualitative research or total rewards project management skills, including strong presentation of findings experience as well as consulting, hypotheses generation, questionnaire/survey design, statistics, report writing, primary/secondary research and critical thinking experience.
• Exceptional ability to analyze and interpret large datasets and communicate findings in a clear, concise, and actionable manner.
• Experience with survey software and statistical analysis and statistical techniques, e.g. data weighting, diffusion, and regression experience.
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills, project management, organizational, and time management skills.
• Very good multitasking capabilities and ability to work effectively in an environment of tight deadlines and constant change.
• Scrupulous attention to detail without losing sight of overall project goals.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office Suite and survey/research platforms or aggregators
• Understanding and experience with survey system interfaces, data mining, etc. with database management or CRM systems

Preferred Qualifications:

Education: Minimum 4 years of college with completion of a bachelor's degree in market research, statistics.

Training or Experience: 8 years of related experience.

• Experience with PeriscopeIQ, Sogolytics, Qualtrics, Payscale/Payfactors, or similar platforms.
• Experience with at least one additional data analysis tool, such as SPSS, and data visualization software, such as Tableau.

Licenses/Certificates: Attainment of professional certification/s in HR, e.g. PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SCP as well as membership in a Marketing Research or HR professional association is preferred.

Other requirements:

• Handling day-to-day operations and providing project leadership to a team of survey professionals may also include mentoring as requested of other MRA professionals with survey responsibilities.
• The ability to travel (Less than 5% travel to member locations or Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio)

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.