📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Brand, Creative & Media Practice (Shanghai), Insights, China
🔹 Company: Kantar
🔹 Location: Shanghai, Hengfeng Road, China
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Market Research
🔹 Date Posted: May 19, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving insights and strategies for clients within the Brand, Creative & Media Practice.
- Inspiring new thinking and shaping the world through intelligence, passion, and creativity.
- Working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions.
- Contributing to the growth and development of the practice and team members.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in data and insights, with a focus on brand and media practices. Experience in market research and a passion for driving insights-driven strategies are essential.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and develop the Brand, Creative & Media Practice in the Shanghai office, driving insights and strategies for clients.
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet client objectives.
✅ Contribute to the growth and development of the practice and team members through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
✅ Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices, incorporating them into client work and team development.
✅ Manage client relationships and contribute to business development efforts.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, and a deep understanding of market research methodologies.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Statistics, Economics, or a related field. A Master's degree would be an asset.
Experience: 5-10 years of experience in market research, with a focus on brand and media practices. Proven experience in a leadership role is required.
Required Skills:
- Expertise in data analysis and interpretation, with a strong background in market research methodologies.
- Proven ability to drive insights-driven strategies and deliver innovative solutions.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop team members.
- Fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a global market research agency.
- Knowledge of Kantar's tools and platforms.
- Familiarity with the Chinese market and consumer landscape.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record in market research and leadership roles.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a market research director role in Shanghai, the estimated salary range is CNY 400,000 - 600,000 per year. This is an estimate and the actual salary may vary based on experience and performance.
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement plans.
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Flexible working arrangements, with a focus on work-life balance.
Working Hours: Full-time position, with standard office hours Monday to Friday. Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research for similar roles in Shanghai. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Kantar is a leading data, insights, and consulting company, operating in the market research industry. They provide insights and advice to help clients make informed decisions and improve their performance.
Company Size: Kantar is a large company with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects and clients.
Founded: Kantar was founded in 1993 as a joint venture between WPP and Kantar, a French market research company. It has since grown into a global leader in its industry.
Company Description:
- Kantar helps clients understand people, inspire growth, and improve performance.
- Their expertise spans the entire research, analytics, and consulting spectrum, from strategic consulting and analytics to consumer research and brand tracking.
- Kantar works with over 90% of the Fortune 500 companies, providing insights and advice that drive business growth and innovation.
Company Specialties:
- Market research and analytics.
- Brand tracking and strategy.
- Consumer research and insights.
- Health research and consulting.
Company Website: http://www.kantar.com
ASSUMPTION: Kantar's size and global presence offer applicants a wide range of opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects and clients.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the director level, requiring significant experience and leadership skills.
Reporting Structure: The Associate Director reports directly to the Head of the Brand, Creative & Media Practice in the Shanghai office.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site role, with the expectation that the successful candidate will be based in the Shanghai office and work standard office hours.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior director or vice president role within the practice.
- Expansion into other areas of Kantar's business, such as consulting or analytics.
- Opportunities to work on global projects and gain international experience.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within Kantar's market research practice.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Kantar's Shanghai office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on employee well-being and productivity.
Office Location(s): The Shanghai office is located in the Hengfeng Road area, offering easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
Geographic Context:
- Shanghai is a major commercial hub and the largest city in China, with a population of over 24 million people.
- The Hengfeng Road area is a bustling commercial district, home to many multinational corporations and local businesses.
- Shanghai offers a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and historical sites.
Work Schedule: Standard office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.
ASSUMPTION: The Shanghai office offers a modern, collaborative work environment, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening.
- Phone or video screening with the HR team.
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and other team members.
- Final round interviews with senior leadership.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Data analysis and interpretation skills.
- Leadership and team management skills.
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Industry knowledge and market research expertise.
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in market research and leadership roles.
- Include specific examples of insights-driven strategies and innovative solutions delivered in previous roles.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize skills and experiences relevant to this role.
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your leadership and problem-solving skills.
ATS Keywords: Market research, brand strategy, media effectiveness, data analysis, leadership, team management, insights-driven, innovative solutions
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's market research expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit within Kantar's organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Market research software and tools, such as SPSS, R, or Python for data analysis.
- Presentation software, such as PowerPoint or Keynote, for creating engaging and informative client presentations.
- Project management tools, such as Microsoft Project or Asana, for tracking progress and managing team workloads.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience with market research software and tools, as well as strong proficiency in data analysis and presentation skills.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Genuine: We respect each other and our clients, and we value open, honest, and constructive feedback.
- Inspiring: We strive to inspire our clients and each other through our work and our actions.
- Inclusive: We foster an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected.
Work Style:
- Collaborative: We work closely with our clients and colleagues to deliver innovative solutions.
- Agile: We adapt quickly to change and embrace new challenges and opportunities.
- Entrepreneurial: We take ownership of our work and continuously seek new ways to improve and innovate.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Kantar's values of genuine, inspiring, and inclusive?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with tight deadlines?
- Do you have a proactive and entrepreneurial approach to your work?
ASSUMPTION: Kantar values a diverse and inclusive work environment, where employees feel respected and empowered to contribute to the company's success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop team members.
- Occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines, which can be demanding and stressful.
- The role involves working with a diverse range of clients, each with their unique needs and expectations, which can be challenging to manage.
- The competitive nature of the market research industry can present challenges in terms of business development and client retention.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have strong leadership and management skills, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other market research director roles, this position offers a unique focus on brand and media practices within a global organization.
- Kantar's size and global presence provide opportunities for career growth and exposure to diverse projects and clients that may not be available in smaller organizations.
- Career paths within Kantar may differ from those in other market research agencies, with opportunities for progression into consulting or analytics roles.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work within a global market research agency with a focus on brand and media practices.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a brand tracking study for a major consumer goods client, measuring brand awareness, perception, and market share.
- Conducting a media effectiveness study for a leading telecommunications company, evaluating the impact of advertising campaigns on brand metrics and market share.
- Leading a cross-functional team to deliver a comprehensive consumer segmentation study for a major retail client, identifying key customer segments and developing targeted marketing strategies.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of market research and consulting services offered by Kantar, highlighting the diverse nature of the role and the opportunities for career growth and development.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the broader organization and contribute to Kantar's overall strategy?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to address them?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and career growth within Kantar?
- How does Kantar support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role's priorities, challenges, and opportunities for career growth and development within Kantar.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in market research and leadership roles.
- Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your leadership and problem-solving skills.
- If selected, be prepared to present a portfolio of your previous work, including market research reports, presentations, and other relevant materials.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
