Dharma Life - Head - Research

Dharma Life is looking to recruit a Head of Research to lead the Research function; which will generate revenue for the organisation and develop rich insights enabling Dharma Life to innovate and become a thought leader in the space.

Role Summary:

With access to a fast growing database, currently consisting of more than 1.5 million rural consumers in India, Dharma Life has a unique opportunity to generate strong consumer insights on consumption and behaviour of a demographic that many governments, corporations, social enterprises and foundations need to better understand. The Head of Research will develop a revenue stream for Dharma Life by conducting partner research activities and will manage in house research activities to enable Dharma Life to innovate and grow.

Primary Responsibilities:

Drive Dharma Lifes research strategy to achieve the organisations business goals and associated revenue targets; manage associated resources and budgets

Overall responsibility of delivery of Dharma Lifes external and internal research activities

Develop and implement a business model and engagement process under which Dharma Life can conduct research activities for multiple stakeholders and external partners under a commercial agreement

Identify pipeline partners and clients who would require insights on rural low income consumers in India; and secure research projects with these clients and maintain an ongoing relationship with them

Oversee all aspects of research programs from proposal writing, idea generation, research design, project execution and budget management

Work extensively with the field team to implement the research activity and gather relevant data about the rural market. Provide a compelling narrative and insights behind raw data to meet internal and external objectives

Using research insights, provide business recommendations on new products, causes and initiatives; identify and own areas of research that need to be conducted as input into internal decision making

Study global trends in the rural space and share best practises and insights

Institutionalize and document research findings and analysis contributing to Dharma Lifes knowledge managemen

Publish cutting-edge content for a global audience to establish Dharma Life as a thought leader in the industry

Travel Requirement

You should be able to travel within and outside the country as required in order to meet vendors, key stakeholders and other Dharma Life team members, as per business necessity.

Desired Skills and Experience

A Bachelors degree with post graduate qualification in Research, Marketing, Consumer Behaviour or related subject is required

Over 10 years experience in research with reputed companies with expertise in research design, field execution and data analysis

Ability to understand business issues and thus design appropriate research to meet the business needs

Experience must include advanced written analysis, quantitative forecasting and excellent presentation skills

Demonstrated strong stakeholder management and collaborative skills spanning work with local, remote and global colleagues in various discipline

Ability to appropriately communicate sensitive information and to judge how and with whom this information should be shared

Personal Attributes

A resourceful self-starter, display an entrepreneurial spirit and thrive in a fast-pace, start-up environment

Culturally sensitive and has experience in empowering team-members, and driving team members toward results and accountability

Excellent attention to detail

Intellectually insightful and creative yet analytically rigorous

Excellent standard of written and verbal communication