DC Thomson

Qualitative Insight Executive / Research Executive

DC Thomson  •  London, GB (Hybrid)  •  1 day ago
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Job Description

Job Title: Qualitative Insight Executive / Research Executive
Location: Dundee or London, UK (Hybrid; 2 days in the office per week; London office travel expected)

Beano Brain, a leading kid, youth and family insights agency, is hiring for a Qualitative Insight Executive with an entrepreneurial spirit to join the team, based in our London office on Fleet Street. Beano Brain is part of the DC Thomson media and publishing company.  

Beano Brain is a team of collaborators who balance being supportive and transparent with rebel thinking. While fostering a non-hierarchical environment where team members take initiative and aren’t afraid to challenge each other’s thinking, Beano Brain gives everyone on the team a voice.

This an opportunity for someone with some qualitative insight and research experience who wants to develop in the research industry. You’ll get to make your mark across research design, project set up, fieldwork, analysis & reporting. Surrounded by an experienced team, the Qualitative Insight Executive will be supported and mentored.

No two days are the same at Beano Brain! The Qualitative Insight Executive will support the Beano Brain insight team on delivering, high quality, thought provoking and business transforming insight work for clients. Day to day, the Qualitative Insight Executive will get involved in project support as well as project set up while getting exposure to the whole project lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:

Project & fieldwork management - To project manage and co-ordinate client projects, working closely with the Associate Field Director and project lead including:

  • Cost collation, helping prepare research proposals, project set up, local partner/ supplier management
  • Preparing recruitment briefs and reviewing screeners
  • Overseeing recruitment progression

Qualitative research projects for partner clients

  • You will take part in client meetings and be part of the briefing and proposal process
  • You will feed into the design of insight projects, with guidance from line manager/ project leads
    • Including drafting discrete parts of client proposals
  • You will support in the preparation, management and carrying out of quality ad hoc research, from initiation to completion
    • Including drafting pre-tasks, discussion guides for qualitative research methods (including interviews, mini groups)
  • To be involved in managing and running online qualitative approaches for clients (e.g. on Indeemo platform)
    • Including drafting and uploading online community guides
  • You will proficiently use digital interviewing platforms (e.g. Zoom)
  • You will moderate fieldwork with kids, teens, parents and other relevant audiences, including individual depth interviews and taking increasing responsibility across mini groups and co-creation sessions
  • You will help to draft insightful, persuasive and action inspiring presentations, working closely with the senior project team
  • You will provide support in analysis and writing debriefs, both single and multi-market, creating persuasive and action inspiring presentations
  • You will help present discrete parts of insight presentations to Beano Brain clients with support from the senior team

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Market research - Applies qualitative and mixed-method research practices to support the design, delivery and interpretation of client research studies.
  • Data analytics - Uses structured and unstructured data from fieldwork, online communities, surveys, client inputs and secondary sources to identify patterns, themes and insight.
  • Formal research - Applies research methods in a planned and ethical way, supporting fieldwork design, evidence capture, participant handling, analysis and reporting.
  • Portfolio, programme and project support - Coordinates project activity, documentation, trackers, meetings, supplier actions and fieldwork logistics.
  • Methods and tools - Uses agreed research platforms, digital interviewing tools, online community tools, AI tools, templates and reporting methods.
  • Artificial intelligence and data ethics - Applies responsible AI and data ethics principles when using AI or automation to support research analysis, synthesis and reporting.
  • Customer service support - Provides responsive, accurate and professional support to clients and internal stakeholders.
  • Experience or strong applied interest in qualitative research with kids, teens, parents and families.
  • Previous experience working in a research agency.
  • Experience moderating and supporting interviews, focus groups, mini groups, online communities or co-creation sessions.
  • Experience preparing or contributing to screeners, recruitment briefs, pre-tasks, discussion guides, fieldwork materials, analysis outputs and client presentations.
  • Confidence using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, digital meeting tools and online research platforms.
  • Interest in youth culture, family audiences, brands, media, entertainment, consumer behaviour and cultural trends.
  • Awareness of ethical research practice, safeguarding considerations, consent, data protection and responsible use of AI in insight work.

Desirable

  • Experience of working on integrated qualitative and quantitative insight projects
  • Experience working with kids, able to build quick rapport
  • Expertise in specific area of youth culture and / or families
  • Experience working on mixed quant / qual projects
  • Experience in, or interest and curiosity of, using AI to conduct research analysis

Behaviours that will help this role succeed:

  • Being More Curious: Seeks to understand what kids, teens, parents and clients really mean, not just what they say. Asks better questions during fieldwork, analysis and project discussions. Looks for cultural, behavioural and commercial meaning behind the evidence.
  • Experiment with Purpose: Tests better ways to collect, analyse and present insight, including appropriate use of AI and automation. Uses new tools with clear intent, quality checks and ethical judgement.
  • Owning the Outcomes: Takes responsibility for assigned deliverables, deadlines and quality. Keeps project leads informed, raises risks early and follows through on actions. Focuses on the commercial value of the insight, not just completion of tasks.
  • Being More Collaborative: Works openly with project leads, fieldwork teams, suppliers, clients and wider portfolio colleagues. Shares useful insight, examples and learning so others can benefit. Builds trust through reliability, clarity and respectful challenge.

To apply for this role, please follow our online application process and submit a CV and cover letter.

Closing date for applications: 25th August at 12:00noon

DC Thomson

About DC Thomson

DC Thomson is a family-owned business headquartered in Scotland, with a presence in London and across the globe. A 200-year-old company that is purpose led and future focused. And our purpose is clear: to champion, entertain and bring together our communities.

We are home to some of the UK’s best loved media brands that have been the voice of our communities for generations – from the iconic Beano, Stylist and People’s Friend to the UK’s biggest puzzle brand Puzzler and a portfolio of regional newspapers and radio stations including two of the top three best-selling regional dailies in the UK - The Press and Journal and The Courier. We have a thriving genealogy community (Findmypast), a trusted technology solutions business (Brightsolid) and a global marketing agency (Fifth Ring). From our long-established media brand, Energy Voice, an influential authority in the global energy conversation, we launched E-FWD, a membership organisation where the industry’s forward thinkers are coming together to drive the movement to secure, clean energy.

We have the influence and ambition to make a real difference towards tackling the critical issues of our time. Assets and knowledge built over decades of supporting high growth, innovative businesses allow us to make bold, long-term visionary decisions. DC Thomson is backing businesses that are making an impact in energy transition, water technology, the circular economy and food security amongst others.

Philanthropy and supporting the communities we live and work in is part of DC Thomson’s DNA, both through our brands and the Thomson family trust – The Northwood Charitable Trust.

At DC Thomson, we are modernising and ambitious, investing in technology and talent, and building brands for the digital age.  A trusted partner that is driving positive change, inspiring innovation, and fuelling growth and success and a transformative business where people, partners and communities feel part of something extraordinary.

Industry
Unknown
Company Size
501-1,000 employees
Headquarters
Dundee, GB
Year Founded
1905
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