What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Research, Client Insights & Strategy position at National Golf Foundation?
NGF is seeking a strategic, self-motivated professional to help drive our private research and consulting
practice. The ideal candidate will be a problem-solver who can translate business questions into research
approaches, and then ultimately transform findings into compelling stories that guide clients forward.
While research expertise is important, we're equally interested in candidates without traditional market
research backgrounds who can demonstrate strong analytical capabilities and a track record of delivering
value through insights. (Non-traditional candidates will be expected to quickly develop proficiency in
various consumer and business research methodologies, from segmentation studies to qualitative
exploration.)
The ideal candidate will also bring genuine enthusiasm for golf's business ecosystem and commercial
landscape – someone who naturally stays current with trends, understands market dynamics and
recognizes the industry's unique challenges and opportunities. You don't need to be a skilled or avid golfer,
but you should be the type of person who follows golf news because you want to, not because you have to.
Above all, we're looking for someone who comes in hungry each day to make an impact, proactively
seeking opportunities to drive value for our organization and clients.
Please note that this is an on-site position based in Jupiter, FL, and that remote work arrangements will not
be considered.
As Director of Research, Client Insights & Strategy, you’ll be expected to:
- Work both independently and collaboratively to manage and execute a portfolio of insights assignments that range in scope, approach and complexity
- Take a leading role in conceptualizing, designing and communicating research initiatives
- Nurture existing client relationships through proactive communication and exceptional service
- Help develop new strategic and consultative client relationships by positioning yourself, and our team, as a valuable resource and thought leader in the field
- Proactively explore new and improved techniques that elevate our work and improve efficiency
- Contribute to the broader organization by establishing what "best in class" looks like when it comes to research, insights generation and storytelling
- Help position NGF as a thought leader in golf's commercial evolution
What Sets Successful Candidates Apart
Professional qualities:
- Takes initiative to identify and pursue growth opportunities without prompting or detailed direction – this is absolutely essential to success in this role
- Resourcefully tackles challenges and finds creative solutions, even in ambiguous situations
- Expertise (or a readiness to build expertise) in various consumer and business research methodologies that expand your analytical toolkit
- Project leadership – confidently drives projects and influences stakeholders
- Thought leadership – shows genuine intellectual curiosity and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking
- Business acumen – sees big picture and thinks strategically about commercial implications
- Creates compelling narratives and outputs that drive decisions
- While not necessarily a designer, understands the power of visually-compelling deliverables and knows how to achieve polish, through attention to detail, direct skills and/or smart resource utilization
- Has strong business development instincts – identifies opportunities, crafts winning proposals, and knows how to sell both ideas and solutions to prospective clients
Foundational requirements:
- 5 years of experience in roles requiring deep analytical and strategic business thinking, including:
- Market research
- Business analytics
- Business strategy/consulting
- Corporate strategy
- Financial/investment analysis
- Strong communication skills, including experience presenting to senior executives
- Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience with various quantitative and qualitative research methodologies is a plus
- Experience with data analysis tools is a plus
- Experience with visualization and dashboard tools is a plus
- Must be authorized to work in the United States
To Apply
To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications for this position to hr@ngf.org.
A thoughtful cover note is essential and should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and alignment
with its requirements. Applications without cover notes will not be considered. Please be sure to include
the job title in the subject line of your email. Applications will be accepted until February 28, 2024.
About the Organization
At its core, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) is a not-for-profit trade association that represents the
commercial interests of the golf industry. We are committed to empowering our members with unparalleled
solutions and insights to drive informed decision-making, and are trusted by the biggest businesses and
organizations in golf as the foremost provider of accurate and objective measures of the game's vitality.
This position is reflected by the breadth and stature of our Board of Directors, as well as our network of
members and connections that spans the entire industry. Golf businesses from every sector rely on NGF
data and research to enhance their business context and deliver winning strategies.
But NGF is more than just a 501(c)(6) trade group. Embedded within the broader organization is a for-profit
consultancy that helps individual businesses -- ranging from large industry incumbents to small, early-
stage startups -- using custom insights and marketing solutions. From a marketing research perspective,
we operate "in the trenches" with many of golf's most powerful and innovative companies. We take this
responsibility very seriously, and our work always begins by understanding deeply our client's business
environment, context and strategic objectives.
Visit www.ngf.org for a better understanding of the organization.