Senior Consultant - Associate Director: AI-powered Insight

About Verve

At Verve, we’re expanding what’s possible in modern research. We combine the best of Human, Cultural, and Artificial Intelligence to help some of the world’s most iconic brands
-like Samsung, Unilever, Mars Petcare, and Shell – make faster, smarter decisions.

We’re looking to build relationships with experienced Senior Consultants / Research Managers / Associate Directors who could grow into / play a leadership role within our Build & Growth Studio – the team responsible for building tailored AI insight solutions for our clients, and managing stakeholder relationships to ensure what we deliver drives real business impact.

This role is designed for someone with a strong grounding in commercial insight delivery and client growth leadership - someone already trusted by clients, confident owning complex delivery, and commercially sharp in how work is scoped, delivered and grown.

Alongside this core skillset, we’re looking for someone who can stretch into technical leadership within an AI-powered delivery environment. Ideally, you’ll bring experience or exposure to areas such as AI build architecture, automation, or workflow optimisation. However, we’re equally open to candidates who are still building hands‑on AI experience but demonstrate clear aptitude, curiosity and ability to bridge that gap quickly.

You’ll sit at the intersection of client strategy, insight delivery and AI‑enabled build, helping shape how we deliver smarter, more scalable solutions - while growing confidence and capability across the team.

• Lead end-to-end delivery of AI-powered Build & Growth Studio work across multiple high-value client accounts.
• Act as a trusted senior advisor, shaping briefs, guiding clients through AI-enabled approaches, and challenging thinking where needed.
• Own scoping, resourcing, timelines and budgets, ensuring delivery is commercially sound and profitable.
• Translate client and business objectives into clear, executable build plans.
• Identify opportunities to grow client relationships and support new business through pitches and proposals.

• Familiarity and experience with AI concepts and techniques, such as large language models, machine learning, or Retrieval-Augmented Generation models.

• • Experience or desire to grow capability in using AI to support insight workflow optimisation or automation, looking to develop technical understanding over time
  • Bonus points for:
    Technical literacy, such as coding or working with APIs
  • Note:
    
    We will provide training and guidance in the specific processes and tech underpinning Verve Vero solutions

• Demonstrate curiosity and lateral thinking proactively solving problems as we redefine how insight is built and delivered
• Champion delivery that is smarter, faster and more scalable across the Build Studio.
• Partner with technical and delivery teams to test, refine and systemise workflows and tools.
• Drive automation and repeatable delivery approaches to improve efficiency, consistency and margin.
• Stay close to AI developments, applying them pragmatically to Build Studio delivery.
• Be comfortable operating in ambiguity, building structure as you go

• Lead, coach and develop Senior Consultants, Consultants and Associates, building confidence across client leadership and emerging technical capability.
• Set clear expectations that balance quality, efficiency and commercial discipline.
• Partner closely with Consultancy and Enablement to deliver joined-up client programmes.
• Shape Build Studio standards and best practice, acting as a visible role model for curiosity, adaptability and ownership.

• 5–8 years’ experience. Direct commercial insight background is valuable but not essential - we also welcome candidates from adjacent fields (e.g. consultancy, creative or tech-driven agencies, marketing, product, UX, or innovation) who bring strong transferable skills

• Proven experience leading complex client delivery and growing client relationships
• Strong commercial judgement across scoping, resourcing, margin and profitability
• Confidence operating as a senior…