Senior Research Director, Customer Success - Automotive

Company: NielsenIQ
Location: Orange
Posted on: February 15, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Company Description Location: Orange County, CA or surrounding areas (about 2-3x onsite at client monthly) R26_0001763 LI-Remote Job Description NIQ is seeking a dynamic and visionary Senior Research Director of Customer Success - Automotive to help support the North America Brand Consulting team. This role requires a minimum of 5-7 years of Brand and Ad Tracking experience. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader and change agent, capable of driving innovation and excellence within the team and across the organization. This position offers high visibility and direct interaction with automotive manufacturers and ad agencies, providing an opportunity to influence and shape the future of brand tracking research at NIQ. A passion for team leadership, driving strong engagement within the team, training/mentoring, and embracing change is essential. Key Responsibilities Client Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong client relationships, inspiring confidence in our clients that NIQ provides premium fact-based consultation. Proven track record of consulting at the C-Suite Level Balance the needs of clients with what is best for the company, including monitoring project specific budgets and timelines Identify clients’ requirements and expectations and communicate and consult regularly with automotive clients about their projects. This includes maintaining a presence and high level of engagement during all phases of projects, from questionnaire development to presentation of results Demonstrate thought leadership within the practice area Manage client expectations and maintain confidence in all situations. Be a voice of reason, expertise and partnership to clients helping them make informed decisions on how to best move forward with elements of their brand tracking work Support team members when facing challenges with project execution and/or client servicing. Role model best practices and critical thinking strategies to help guide junior staff Analytical and Technical Skills: Build, write, and present MS PowerPoint decks with summaries and recommendations. Uses data to create insights to answer business questions Present research to clients and stakeholders in a compelling manner Team Collaboration: Provide performance coaching, training, and career development support Work collaboratively with the team to contribute to product development and thought leadership Qualifications Desired Attributes: Embrace change and consistently challenges the status quota Be proactive in identifying and resolving issues. Assume positive intent in all interactions Be a strong team player with a collaborative mindset Be inquisitive and committed to continuous learning Be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances Be highly organized and detail oriented Possess ability to juggle multiple projects, with varying timelines and team members. Qualifications: 5-7 years of brand and ad tracking experience Automotive experience preferred Ability to manage client expectations and achieve ‘win-win’ in difficult situations Bachelor’s degree in Business, Mathematics, or the Sciences, or equivalent experience Working knowledge in SPSS preferred, other data analytical software knowledge will be considered Minimum of 5-7 years of brand and ad tracking experience. Excellent presentation skills Demonstrated leadership and team management experience Passion for brand and advertising research Additional Information This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $99,800.00 - $120,000.00. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role might also be eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include a flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support, and more. Our Benefits Flexible working environment Volunteer time off LinkedIn Learning Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP) NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai -safety-policies. About NIQ NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100 markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population. For more information, visit NIQ.com Want to keep up with our latest updates? Follow us on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news -center/diversity-inclusion

Keywords: NielsenIQ, Montebello , Senior Research Director, Customer Success - Automotive, PR / Public Relations , Orange, California