Director, Qualitative Program Management

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Title:

Director, Qualitative Program Management

Location:

REMOTE (CT, RI, MA, NJ, NY, PA, Est zone)
We are seeking a highly experienced Director of Qualitative Program Management to lead complex, high-visibility qualitative research programs for leading technology companies. This is not a traditional project management role. The ideal candidate functions as both a strategic advisor and operational leader, capable of managing large-scale qualitative research initiatives while serving as a trusted partner to senior client stakeholders. They bring executive presence, exceptional organizational rigor, and the ability to confidently navigate ambiguity, influence decisions, and drive action.

Success in this role requires a candidate who acts as the operational face of our team to tech clients, driving outcomes through active risk mitigation and strategic problem-solving, rather than merely coordinating tasks. What You'll Do Strategic Client Leadership
· Serve as a trusted advisor to stakeholders across product, marketing, UX, research, innovation, AI, cloud, and technology organizations.
· Lead client conversations with confidence, bringing recommendations and solutions rather than simply reporting status.
· Connect research activities to broader business objectives, strategic priorities, growth opportunities, and decision-making needs.
· Guide clients through complex challenges by providing clear points of view, trade-offs, and actionable recommendations.
· Build long-term partnerships that strengthen client confidence, retention, and growth.

Program & Portfolio Leadership
· Oversee multiple concurrent qualitative research programs and strategic accounts.
· Drive end-to-end execution across large-scale, multi-market and global initiatives.
· Establish operational frameworks that enable teams to execute consistently and efficiently.
· Anticipate risks, remove barriers, and implement mitigation strategies before issues impact delivery.
Create clarity and accountability across complex stakeholder groups and work streams.
· Proactively manage scope, recruitment challenges, and timeline realities. You are expected to present options, trade-offs, and clear recommendations rather than simply escalating problems

Research & Operational Excellence
· Partner closely with researchers, moderators, project managers, recruitment partners, vendors, operations teams, and client stakeholders.
· Apply a strong understanding of qualitative methodologies, recruitment feasibility, screeners, participant management, and study execution.
· Manage highly customized research programs requiring precision, adaptability, and exceptional attention to detail.
· Translate ambiguity into structured plans, clear deliverables, and actionable next steps.
· Identify opportunities to improve processes, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Executive Communication
· Serve as the primary point of contact for senior client stakeholders and internal leadership teams.
· Navigate difficult conversations with confidence, professionally pushing back on unrealistic timelines or scope creep when necessary to protect delivery quality and client satisfaction
· Foster a 'Revenue Protection' mindset by recognizing that seamless operational execution is a direct driver of client retention and future account growth
· Facilitate alignment across cross-functional teams, ensuring information flows effectively and decisions are clearly documented.
· Navigate conversations around scope, feasibility, timelines, budgets, and changing priorities while preserving strong client…