Managing Director, Market Research

Working at Real Chemistry and in the healthcare industry isn’t just a job for us.
We got into this field for different reasons, but we all stay for the same reason – to uncover insights, make meaningful connections, infuse creativity, and improve the patient experience by transforming healthcare through AI and ideas.
Real Chemistry creates the world around modern therapies with over 2,000 talented professionals, and for the last 20+ years has carved out its space at the intersection between healthcare, marketing and communications, data & AI, and the people at the heart of it all.
We work with the top 30 pharma and biotech companies and are built for uncommon collaboration—we believe we are best together, bringing together experts from a wide range of disciplines to collaborate without barriers under a single, unified mission: to transform what healthcare is to what it should be.
This one-of-a-kind model allows us to work in a way that better reflects how people experience healthcare—all with the intent to transform healthcare from what it is to what it should be.
But we can’t do it alone – you in?Job Title: Managing Director/Practice Leader, Primary Market Research, Analytics & Insights Location: East Coast preferred Company Overview: Real Chemistry’s Analytics and Insights group is an industry leading analytics practice focused on delivering high-impact solutions for pharmaceutical and life sciences clients.
We operate across four key disciplines: Primary Market Research (PMR), Social and Digital Analytics, Omnichannel Measurement, and Real-World Data Analytics.
Our team is deeply committed to supporting the success of our clients through innovative, data-driven insights that empower strategic decision-making.
As part of our growth strategy, we are investing in expanding our Primary Market Research (PMR) capabilities and are seeking a dynamic and experienced Managing Director/Practice Leader to help us unlock new business opportunities and drive the success of this practice.
Position Overview: The Managing Director/Practice Leader, Primary Market Research (PMR), will be a senior leader responsible for driving business growth, cultivating strong client relationships, and leading a dedicated team of PMR professionals.
This individual will play a critical role in positioning our company as a preferred supplier of PMR services to pharmaceutical and life sciences companies.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of securing preferred supplier statuses and contracts, building and nurturing client relationships, and leading the development of winning PMR proposals.
In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the PMR practice, including business development, strategic planning, client engagement, team leadership, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality insights to our clients.
You will work closely with internal stakeholders across other disciplines to drive the firm’s overall growth strategy while fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
Key Responsibilities: Business Development and Client Acquisition: Lead the identification and pursuit of net new business opportunities within the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors, with a primary focus on PMR.
Cultivate and leverage your extensive network of industry contacts to open doors for new business and strengthen relationships with key clients.
Oversee the development and execution of winning proposals for preferred supplier status and long-term contracts with large and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to position the firm as a trusted partner for PMR services.
Strategic Planning and Practice Growth: Work closely with senior leadership to define and execute the strategic direction of the PMR practice, including setting revenue targets, client engagement strategies, and market positioning.
Drive thought leadership by staying abreast of industry trends, evolving client needs, and advancements in PMR methodologies, including experience leveraging AI to create PMR efficiencies and differentiated approaches.
Provide insight and guidance to internal teams in developing tailored research solutions that meet client objectives and exceed expectations.
Monitor and report on the performance of the PMR practice, ensuring revenue and profitability targets are met.
Ensure a high level of client satisfaction by fostering strong relationships and collaborating with clients to understand their unique needs.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with teams across social and digital analytics, omnichannel measurement, and real-world data analytics to provide integrated solutions for clients.
Help integrate PMR insights with other analytics disciplines to offer comprehensive, data-driven solutions.
Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure smooth execution of contracts and delivery of services that align with client expectations.
Thought Leadership and Industry Visibility: Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and client meetings to build brand recognition and credibility in the PMR space.
Contribute to content creation, including white papers, case studies, and blog posts, to demonstrate the firm’s expertise in PMR.
Foster and maintain relationships with industry organizations, associations, and academic institutions to stay at the forefront of PMR developments.
Leadership and Team Development: Lead and mentor a team of PMR professionals, providing guidance on strategic client management, research methodologies, and delivery excellence.
Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the PMR team.
Support staff development through coaching, training, and performance management.
Qualifications and Experience: Minimum of 15 years of experience in primary market research within the pharmaceutical, life sciences, or healthcare sectors, with a proven track record of securing preferred supplier statuses and long-term contracts with large and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies.
Strong network of industry contacts, with the ability to leverage relationships to open doors for business development and drive growth.
In-depth knowledge of PMR methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative research, market segmentation, product development, customer insights, and competitive intelligence.
Exceptional business acumen, with a demonstrated ability to translate client needs into actionable research solutions and drive revenue growth.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage C-suite executives and senior leaders in the pharmaceutical industry.
Experience in managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with other analytics disciplines (social, digital, omnichannel, real-world data).
Ability to navigate complex client organizations and multi-stakeholder environments.
A strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate market trends and position the company for future success.
A results-driven, client-focused individual who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Strong leadership skills with experience in managing and developing high-performing teams.
Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree (MBA, MS, Ph D) in a relevant field (e.g., business, life sciences, market research).
Familiarity with emerging trends in pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, including digital health, AI, and personalized medicine.
Experience with global markets and international client bases.
Why Join Us?Opportunity to play a pivotal role in the growth of a leading analytics practice.
Collaborative, dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Competitive compensation and benefits package.
If you are a strategic, results-oriented leader with a passion for primary market research and a strong network in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, we would love to hear from youTo Apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are a strong fit for this role.
Pay Range: $215,000.00-$235,000.00 This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting.
Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, skills, certifications, and geographical location.
The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.
Real Chemistry is proud to be Great Place to Work certified; check out what our people shared about our culture and workplace on our Great Places to Work Profile here.
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