Insights & Strategy Director (Maternity Cover)
Location: Leeds – Hybrid (2 days in office: Monday & Thursday)
Employment Type: 9-month fixed term

Salary - Competitive + Benefits 

About Audience Collective and Spark
Spark is part of Audience Collective – a group of specialist agenci es connected by a shared belief that different perspectives create better outcomes. That means we bring deep expertise, cross-agency collaboration, and a big-picture view to every project.

We’re proud of our down-to-earth, open culture – where curiosity is encouraged, development is supported, and people genuinely enjoy working together.

Established in 2007, Spark has grown from a boutique qualitative agency into a full-service research agency offering a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and innovative products. Our research solutions range from the core approaches you’d expect from a research agency to more bespoke and inventive products – all designed to deliver clearer human insight that helps brands make confident decisions.

The Jelly Baby in our logo represents ‘the human’ in research – we speak fluent human. Our mission is to empower confident decision-making through human-centricity and fresh thinking. We pride ourselves on uncovering Human Truths by exploring the whole human experience to reveal insights that fuel brand growth.

The Role
This temporary position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within our Insights and Strategy team, covering a key leadership role during a period of maternity leave. As acting director, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, champion innovative approaches, and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality strategic insights to our clients.

We’re seeking a dynamic and intellectually curious Insights and Strategy Director to lead and inspire across both quantitative and qualitative research disciplines. This is a pivotal role for someone who thrives on delivering exceptional insights, dazzling clients, mentoring talent, and driving business growth through compelling proposals and thought-provoking debriefs.

You’ll be the strategic brain behind our most complex projects, the trusted advisor to our clients, and the guiding force for our research team. You’ll also play a central role in pitching and winning new work, shaping our commercial strategy, and elevating our reputation in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Design and lead end-to-end quantitative and qualitative research projects across sectors and methodologies
• Ensure methodological rigour, storytelling excellence, and actionable insight in every deliverable
• Stay ahead of industry trends and champion innovation in research approaches

Client Impact

• Build strong, consultative relationships with clients, becoming their go-to for strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Present findings with clarity, confidence, and flair – whether in boardrooms or brainstorms
• Proactively identify opportunities to add value and grow client accounts

Business Development

• Write persuasive, tailored proposals that win work and showcase our strategic edge
• Lead pitch teams, shaping the narrative, methodology, and presentation strategy
• Represent the agency at industry events, panels, and thought leadership forums

Team Development

• Mentor and coach researchers at all levels, fostering a culture of curiosity and excellence
• Lead internal training sessions on research techniques, storytelling, and client engagement
• Provide constructive feedback and champion professional growth across the team

Strategic Communication

• Craft compelling debriefs that go beyond data – telling stories that drive decisions
• Translate complex findings into clear, engaging narratives for diverse audiences
• Contribute to thought leadership through blogs, white papers, and case studies

KPIs & Success Metrics

AreaKPI / MetricStrategic DeliveryQuality and impact of insights delivered across flagship projectsClient SatisfactionClient feedback scores and retention ratesBusiness GrowthValue of new business won through proposals and pitchesProposal Win RatePercentage of successful proposals and pitch conversionsTeam DevelopmentProgression and performance of direct reports and menteesThought LeadershipNumber of external contributions (events, publications, webinars)Innovation & IPDevelopment of new methodologies, frameworks, or proprietary toolsCommercial ContributionRevenue growth from existing accounts and strategic upselling

What We’re Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in leading both quantitative (e.g. surveys, segmentation, analytics) and qualitative (e.g. depth interviews, ethnography, workshops) research
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills – able to impress clients and inspire teams
• Strong commercial acumen and a track record of winning work through proposals and pitches
• Experience mentoring and developing junior researchers
• Strategic mindset with a passion for storytelling and insight-driven thinking

Desirable Traits

• Naturally curious, with a love of learning and sharing knowledge
• Energetic, confident, collaborative, and comfortable in fast-paced environments
• A flair for writing – whether it’s a proposal, a debrief, or a LinkedIn post
• A ‘professionally informal’ personal impact style

What We Offer

• A vibrant, supportive team culture that values creativity and collaboration
• Opportunities to shape the future of research and influence client strategy
• Competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development support