Director - Research & Analytics

Overview of the role:

- The successful candidate will be responsible for executing the strategy of leveraging TAS Analytic Services’ capabilities and personnel in support of Time Inc. and its subsidiaries.

- The Director - Research, will report to the VP - Operations of TAS Analytics Services. The Director will lead, develop and oversee the Business research and analytics function. The candidate needs to be a talented business research and analytics professional, who has demonstrated the ability to understand business issues, to design, execute and analyze research to derive business recommendations. The candidate will also be required to demonstrate ability to develop and manage relationships with internal business unit partners, and to provide advice about the application of research, and the appropriate integration with marketing and business strategy.

- The Candidate for this position must have a demonstrable track record of managing a high growth environment. One of the most important aspects is demonstrable leadership and decision making skills. The candidate must assist and participate in important aspects of business strategy and key decision making that will have business impact.

- The candidate must be self-motivated with a strong "hands-on" background in the field of research across multiple platforms (print, digital, mobile and tablet). Major responsibilities include supervising a team tasked to carry out print and digital research, reporting & analytics, and various other tasks required to support the various US magazine title operations.

- Overall, the successful candidate should have all the skills necessary to delight an existing or emerging stakeholder.

Responsibilities include:

1. Strategic business needs and Operations :

- Influencing strategic business decisions by acting as a trusted advisor in the domain of research to TAS and Time Inc. executive leadership teams

- Participate in new TAS business opportunities and the review and development of proposals and scopes

- Represent TAS’ research capabilities when approaching new business and develop deeper technology offerings with our existing clients

- Ability to collaborate across multiple business units across Time Inc. at a senior level to map and influence business needs and deliver against these needs quickly and effectively

- Oversee scope development, resource allocation, scheduling and cost estimation for all the projects

- Work with project teams in a hands-on capacity to regularly identify risks and make recommendations on how to resolve any potential or pending issues (hiring, communication, process related etc.) as they arise

- Stay connected with industry trends and themes, and share with leadership as well as share insights within one’s team, as appropriate

- Expand TAS’s impact, image and influence as being part of the leadership team and by being the most senior point of contact in the field of Research

2. Talent acquisition, Managing and Retention :

- Plan and manage staffing. Understand and document the individual skill-sets and levels and plan hiring and staffing accordingly

- Communicate short and long-term staffing plans to resource management and recruiting groups on a regular basis

- Identify the need and subsequently propose recommendations to senior management (US and India) on India organizational structure with appropriate business justification

- Work with technology discipline managers to facilitate learning and professional development. Identify career growth paths for all members of the technology team. Keep staff informed of current problems, changes and new developments by conducting periodic meetings

- Mentor and conduct performance evaluations for all team members, provide coaching and mentorship to managers with their own team members.

- Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and overall excellence

Departmental Health

- Accountable for overall department P&L and ensuring engagements are scoped, executed and delivered according to planned terms

- Responsible for managing and forecasting annual budgets for research domain as well as educating partners effectively regarding financial implications

- Monitor department productivity, report on trends and recommend and implement changes to continually improve productivity. Thorough reporting and analysis of various activities at the group, departmental, and divisional levels

3. Others :

- Educating the Stakeholders especially those with new business requirements regarding the TAS policies and procedures including staffing, budget spends, engagement while educating them on local market and practices

- Support and manage executive visits

4. Organisation Leadership Attributes:

- Self starter and performs with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a global, matrixed and highly dynamic environment, with constantly shifting priorities and requirements

- Working in a fast-paced environment where performance will be measured by successful outcomes and results

- The successful candidate will exhibit the organization leadership attributes of charting the course, setting high expectations, inspiring others, living the organization values and delivering results

- The candidate must also demonstrate a strong sensitivity for cultural differences and have significant global acumen

- Positive and flexible approach, along with conflict management skills

- Should be willing to work with foreign teams so that there is a partial overlap in working hours as needed

- Travel may be required as needed

Basic Qualifications for Consideration:

- Bachelors Degree in related field and MBA/Masters Degree in related field

Basic Experience for Consideration:

- Minimum 10 years of experience in the domain of research and/or market analytics along with 4-5 years of managerial experience in a global company setup in a similar domain

- At least 2-3 years experience in effectively planning, forecasting, prioritizing and managing departmental business plans and budgets

- Working experience in media or publishing industry

- Extensive exposure in dealing with international and global clients

- Strong experience with customer/stakeholder management

- Very strong written and oral communication skills