Director, Research

Buffalo Groupe’s carefully assembled all-star team includes a full-service marketing firm, a research arm, an events division, and a media property that authentically serves the golf, outdoor sports, real estate, travel, and hospitality industries. Today, Buffalo is headquartered in Charleston, SC, with 85 team members coast to coast who deliver integrated marketing programs focused on business results for our clients.

About the Role

Buffalo Groupe Research is looking for a passionate and talented Director of Research to help drive our fast growth in Consumer and Sports Research. Reporting to the Managing Director of the research pillar, the Director of Research will design and execute customer-focused market research, manage timelines, deliverables, and maintain a pulse on current research and consumer trends.

At Buffalo Groupe Research, we aspire to build expertise on future innovation, data science, and analytics, and bringing the consumer to life for our clients. We pride ourselves in our deep dive into the active and engaged consumer mindset. Buffalo Groupe is a research, communications, and experiential marketing firm focused on sports and active lifestyles. The research team supports a variety of consumer- and business-to-business-focused clients and brands, ensuring the voice of their unique brand influencers are at the forefront of our project and market insights deliverables.  

We work primarily in golf, real estate, and adjacent industries—so an interest in lifestyle, sports, or premium brand categories is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct deep dive consumer, user, and market research to inspire stakeholders across our clients’ business and ensure that the customer's voice and needs are core to product, marketing, and strategic brand decisions
• Own research projects from end-to-end for primarily quantitative research but sometimes qualitative, including planning, execution, fielding, programming, moderating, and analysis
• Think creatively to develop an effective research and product plan to help our customers answer critical business questions and drive strategy
• Foster strong relationships and collaboration internally as a strategic partner to co-workers and stakeholders in the marketing services divisions under the Buffalo Groupe umbrella
• This includes working with other verticals (creative, PR, etc.) to help understand what research is needed, both for external clients as well as internal knowledge
• Turn data into actionable recommendations to guide, inform, and inspire tactical actions and long-term strategy
• Team leader working with other market research team members to brainstorm, schedule, and manage multiple projects happening simultaneously

Other Focus Areas Include

• Analyze marketplace and economic conditions for changes in a variety of unique sports, leisure, and luxury travel industries (specialty sport examples include golf, tennis, and outdoor sports such as camp, hike, paddle, cycle, and ski)
• Collect and analyze data to evaluate and size existing and potential product markets and trends (domestic and international)
• Identify and monitor client competitors; analyze product, price, sales, methods of marketing, and distribution
• Prepare research reports, which include graphic illustrations of findings.
• Manage sample vendors, including competing bids, long-term partnerships, and processing invoices.
• Manage a team of 2 – 6 researchers to ensure research and company standards are followed, and project timelines are met.
• Contribute to strategic thinking for business development and RFP responses
• Proficiency in a variety of research tools, including QuestionPro, Qualtrics, DisplayR analysis and reporting software. (Knowledge of ‘R’ programming language is a bonus)
• Manage and coordinate internal annual research programs, including partnering with the PR team for effective distribution
• Industry: Sports, Sports Retail, especially Golf, Tennis, Outdoor specialty sports, Advertising, Apparel and Fashion, and Resort / Luxury Travel

What You Bring

• 8+ years of experience in consumer research, analytics, brand management, advertising, and/or product marketing
• Undergraduate degree or specific professional research insights accreditation in a quantitative or market research field
• A history of excellence and innovation in synthesizing complex findings, data visualization and storytelling, and client presentation and partnerships
• Ability to manage a portfolio of research projects with multiple business partners and sister agencies in a dynamic and evolving organization.
• Strong influencing and partnership skills across multiple marketing agencies
• Strong leadership skills in a complex environment. 
• Clarity and confidence in complex, uncertain, and ambiguous environments
• Passion for sports (i.e., golf, tennis, skate/surf, fitness), lifestyle, and travel trends
• Experience in data analysis and quantitative market research methods. 
• Understanding of qualitative research methods
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills with the ability to analyze complex data
• Demonstrated proficiency with data analysis platforms and data visualization programs to include Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy

Bonus Points

• Experience with the R programming language is a plus
• Qualtrics and/or QuestionPro survey software, SPSS, and/or familiarity experience a plus

Why Join Us?

We work with brands that live at the intersection of lifestyle and experience—from top professional athletes to high-end real estate and golf destinations. If you love the idea of crafting campaigns that inspire people to travel, play, and escape the everyday, you’ll find this work both meaningful and fun.

You'll gain exposure to a wide range of marketing disciplines and have the chance to work alongside passionate, strategic leaders who are deeply invested in your growth.

Please send your resume and cover letter to jburris@buffalogroupe.com.