Explorer | Senior Research Manager | Shopper Research | Ontario

Explorer is seeking a Senior Research Manager to join our Shopper Research team, delivering high‑quality research projects and insights.

About Us:

At Explorer, we are shopper experts. We focus on all thing’s shopper research, using a behavioral approach to identifying and understanding actionable opportunities for our clients. As part of Savanta, we have a broad range of shopper research offerings, with a specialty in Pack, Planogram, Retail, Signage, and Path-to-Purchase research.

Explorer is part of Savanta which is a fast-growing data, market research, and advisory company. Being part of the Savanta Network provides Explorer with global coverage while maintaining our consultative approach with clients.

This role requires you to reside in Ontario, Canada. Currently this role is remote but may change to hybrid in the future.

About the Role:

This is a hands-on role focused on delivering high‑quality research projects and insights while owning small to medium‑sized client relationships.

Senior Research Managers are responsible for running projects, delegating tasks, and handling daily activities while keeping clients updated and resolving any queries promptly.  

You will work independently while collaborating closely with Project Leads and specialist teams across Explorer and Savanta, applying strong analytical thinking to help clients make better decisions.  This position is responsible for projects from the initial brief to final delivery.

This role presents an excellent opportunity to advance your career, gain valuable experience with high-profile clients, and work with a diverse client base delivering high-quality quantitative and mixed methodology projects.

About You:

At Explorer, Senior Research Managers have strong working competency of the research lifecycle and a point of view about different research and insight techniques.

As a Senior Research Manager at Explorer, you will:

• Demonstrate strong competency across the research lifecycle and insight techniques.
• Act as primary client contact, managing projects from brief to final delivery.
• Design research elements such as sample plans, questionnaires, and analysis frameworks.
• Execute high-quality research programs that meet client objectives.
• Support business growth through excellent project execution and client relationship development.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Design / execute quantitative and mixed methodology projects from start to finish.
• Delegate and review tasks such as questionnaire editing, field monitoring, data cleaning, and tab checking.
• Oversee project tasks including scripting, fieldwork, and supplier management, ensuring project timelines and budgets are met.
• Monitor project budgets and flag where time or costs exceed targets.
• Perform data analysis to generate insights and recommendations.
• Bring data stories to life through compelling reports and presentations.  Present engaging presentations that drive actionable outcomes.
• Adopt the latest technological and AI developments to create internal efficiencies and added value for clients.
• Moderate qualitative research (e.g., IDIs, shop-alongs).

Your role is essential in ensuring that projects are executed efficiently, to high quality, providing valuable insights to clients and fostering strong client relationships to support business growth.

Please click here to view the full job description

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong experience (preferably agency side) in all phases of a quantitative or mixed methodology project, demonstrating expertise from initiation to completion.  And able to use this experience to design research to meet clients’ needs.
• A deep understanding of data analysis for insights generation and client relationship building experience
• Able to operate independently, showcasing the ability to manage projects without extensive support.
• Capable of developing and nurturing client relationships, with the ability to articulate insights to clients.
• A passion for finding stories within data and bringing these to life through reports and presentations.
• Experience in managing or mentoring other team members.
• A tech-first mindset, with enthusiasm for automation and AI tools.
• Experience in moderating qualitative IDIs, shop-alongs, etc.

And in return, Explorer offers*:

• Salary Range: $80,000 - $85,000 CAD
• Flexible working practices
• Health package
• Ongoing Training & Development
• Team & Company Socials

Why Join Us:

Part of the vibrant Savanta & Next 15 Communications Group, we have an entrepreneurial company culture that actively recognizes and values its people and offers excellent opportunity for career development.

Explorer Research is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and continuously strives to be an employer of choice. Our people are our greatest assets, we value workplace diversity and inclusion, oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination, and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds.

*Full details of local benefits and perks available on request from the People Team (HR).

All candidates will be considered equally; however, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

We encourage authentic responses to demonstrate your experience and approach, rather than relying on Generative Al tools to write your cover letter or any questions in the application process.  We may use Al Decoders as part of the review process and if answers match to a high extent that may be factored into the review.

For information on how Savanta uses your data, please see https://savanta.com/about/careers/job-opportunities