Business Development Director Qualitative

Kantar Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - GBP 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research firm in the UK seeks a Business Development Director to drive growth for its Qualitative Research Practice. The ideal candidate will excel in developing sales strategies, maintaining strong client relationships, and mentoring team members. The role requires expertise in selling qualitative insight solutions and a proven record of acquiring new clients. Join a high-performing team committed to success and collaboration, while staying at the forefront of industry trends.

Qualifications

• Experience selling Qualitative insight solutions like ethnography and online communities.
• Proven record of winning new logos.
• Ability to grow revenue through cross-sell opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales plans for qualitative research services.
• Forge and maintain strong client relationships.
• Mentor team members and foster a positive culture.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for sales success.
• Monitor industry trends to identify new business opportunities.

Skills

Strategic commercial thinking

Consultative selling

Excellent communication

Collaboration

Organized and target-focused

Curious about Qualitative insight

Job description

Business Development Director - Qualitative

We’re looking for a Business Development Director to accelerate growth for our Qualitative Research Practice in the UK. This role combines winning new logos, unlocking cross‑sell opportunities within Kantar’s impressive and diverse existing client base, and proactively hunting and converting new revenue that demonstrates the strength of our Qualitative solutions.

You will be part of a high‑performing commercial community, working closely with Practice Leads and Client Leaders to originate, shape and convert opportunities for the Qualitative Practice. This is a commercially focused role with clear accountability for pipeline creation, opportunity progression and revenue delivery. While not involved in delivery or account stewardship, you will collaborate closely with delivery teams to ensure engagements are set up for success!

What You\'ll Do

Strategise and Succeed: Develop and execute sales plans to outperform revenue targets for our qualitative research services in the UK.

Build Bonds: Forge and maintain strong client and colleague relationships, understanding their unique needs and ensuring the delivery of bespoke solutions.

Inspire and Guide: Mentor and guide team members, fostering a collaborative and success-driven culture.

Collaborate and Win: Work with cross-functional teams to drive local and global campaigns and successfully ensure cross-team sales success and client satisfaction.

Stay Ahead: Keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends, competitor activities, and market developments to uncover new business opportunities. Help refine the go‑to‑market strategy for Qualitative in the UK, identifying emerging spaces where Qual can add distinctive value.

About You

• Experience selling Qualitative insight solutions (e.g. ethnography, IDIs, focus groups, online communities, co‑creation, cultural insight, Qualitative AI solutions).
• Winning new clients and new logos
• Growing revenue through cross‑sell and expansion

Skills & Behaviours

• Strategic commercial thinker. Proactive, structured and comfortable driving conversations that lead to revenue.
• Strong consultative selling skills, able to diagnose client needs, frame problems and shape solutions that clearly demonstrate value and impact.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, both written (for example for proposals) and verbal (client meetings, pitches, events).
• Highly collaborative, able to work effectively with Practice Leads, Client Leaders and delivery teams.
• Organised, disciplined and target‑focused, with strong CRM discipline and comfort working to revenue, pipeline, meetings and activity goals.
• Curious and passionate about how Qualitative insight helps clients understand people and make better decisions.

Success Measures

• New business revenue generated for the Qualitative Practice in the UK
• Number of face-to-face and on-line meetings and outreach activities
• New logos won, reactivated clients and expanding existing client accounts
• Value, quality and velocity of pipeline creation and progression
• Cross‑sell wins within existing Kantar accounts
• Win rate and overall commercial performance
• Quality of collaboration with client leaders, practice leads, marketing and delivery teams