Director, Sales, Qualitative & Creative Strategy

About this role

About this job We are building a world-class qualitative research and creative strategy business within NIQ, and we're looking for a commercially driven leader to accelerate growth across North America. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at turning client interest into strategic partnerships, uncovering opportunities within existing relationships, and leading consultative sales conversations that deliver measurable business impact. While this is a leadership role within our qualitative and creative strategy practice, success will be defined primarily by your ability to convert inbound demand into revenue and grow client partnerships. You'll leverage NIQ's unmatched client access across FMCG, Technology, Consumer Durables, and other sectors while partnering closely with sales, client success, and delivery teams to create new growth opportunities. This role offers a unique opportunity to join a startup within a global organization. While backed by the scale, reputation, and resources of NIQ, our team operates with an entrepreneurial mindset—moving quickly, building new capabilities, creating innovative solutions, and shaping the future of qualitative research and creative strategy within the business. The ideal candidate will be energized by building something new, comfortable navigating ambiguity, and excited to contribute beyond a traditional leadership role. Key Responsibilities Drive Revenue Growth

Lead the commercial growth strategy for NIQ's Qualitative Research and Creative Strategy practice across North America.

Convert inbound leads and client interest into consulting engagements, strategic research programs, and long-term partnerships.

Identify expansion opportunities within existing accounts and collaborate with account teams to increase client spend.

Lead discovery conversations, qualify opportunities, scope solutions, and develop compelling client proposals.

Build and maintain a robust pipeline while consistently achieving revenue and growth targets.

Develop Executive Client Relationships

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders across marketing, innovation, insights, and brand strategy functions.

Conduct consultative sales conversations focused on solving complex business challenges.

Present strategic recommendations and tailored solutions that demonstrate clear business value.

Build strong relationships that generate repeat business, referrals, and long-term partnerships.

Lead and Scale the Business

Establish a growth-oriented culture focused on client success, business development, and operational excellence.

Partner with internal sales teams to maximize cross-selling opportunities across NIQ's broader portfolio.

Help shape the commercial strategy, positioning, and go-to-market approach for the Qualitative Research and Creative Strategy practice.

Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, helping build the processes, capabilities, culture, and commercial foundations needed to scale a rapidly growing business.

Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, curiosity, and continuous learning.

Deliver Strategic Solutions

Collaborate with research and consulting teams to design impactful client solutions.

Ensure proposals and project designs align with client objectives and business outcomes.

Maintain a strong understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, innovation, brand strategy, and communications.

Act as a commercial champion for new methodologies, tools, and strategic offerings.

Roll up your sleeves when needed to support strategic project delivery, facilitate client workshops, contribute to consulting engagements, and help ensure exceptional client outcomes.

Partner closely with qualitative, quantitative, and analytics teams to deliver integrated solutions that address complex client challenges.

Build and Innovate New Offerings

Help shape and expand a portfolio of qualitative, quantitative, and AI-enabled solutions that address evolving client needs.

Contribute to the development of innovative products that combine qualitative insight, quantitative validation, behavioral intelligence, and strategic consulting.

Stay at the forefront of emerging research methodologies, AI applications, and innovation trends, identifying opportunities to bring new capabilities to market.

Help position NIQ as a modern insights and consulting partner through thought leadership and innovative client solutions.

What We're Looking For You are a proven sales leader and relationship builder who combines commercial acumen with strategic thinking. You excel at turning conversations into opportunities and opportunities into long-term client partnerships. You understand how to navigate complex organizations, influence senior decision-makers, and articulate the value of insights, consulting, and strategic services. Most importantly, you have a track record of growing revenue through consultative selling and account expansion. You thrive in entrepreneurial environments and enjoy balancing business development with hands-on client work. You're equally comfortable leading a sales conversation, facilitating a strategic workshop, advising senior stakeholders, or contributing to the design and delivery of a high-impact research engagement. You bring deep expertise in qualitative research and understand the strengths, nuances, and appropriate applications of both traditional and emerging AI-enabled methodologies. You are intellectually curious about the future of insights and excited by the opportunity to build integrated solutions that combine qualitative and quantitative approaches to answer clients' most important business questions.

10+ years of experience in qualitative research, business development, consultative sales, account management, strategic consulting, or a related field.

Demonstrated success achieving and exceeding revenue targets.

Strong experience, managing inbound opportunities and converting leads into profitable…