Director, India Innovation

Position Overview

The Director role within India Innovation Customer Success focuses on leading strategic innovation initiatives, managing client delivery, and fostering a culture of AI-enabled transformation within the team. This senior position demands in-depth expertise in primary quantitative research, BASES innovation methodologies, client engagement, and the ability to drive commercial growth through cross-selling and upselling.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the India Innovation Customer Success team, strengthening delivery for strategic Innovation and BASES projects.
• Collaborate closely with commercial teams to identify insights opportunities and engage in senior client discussions to facilitate cross-selling and upselling.
• Drive the shift towards an AI-first organization by integrating automation, Studio platform, prompting, and AI-enhanced insight delivery into everyday workflows.
• Serve as a trusted consulting partner for global and regional Innovation/BASES clients in India, engaging with senior client leaders and C-suite stakeholders.
• Initiate and guide strategic conversations to deepen client relationships, rebuild momentum in under-utilized accounts, and ensure revenue priorities are met.
• Ensure all deliverables are precise, actionable, commercially pertinent, and aligned with client business objectives to maximize satisfaction.
• Oversee complex and critical Innovation/BASES studies, serving as the senior reviewer for analysis quality, storytelling, and recommendations.
• Apply thorough knowledge of Innovation/BASES frameworks, concept/product testing, volumetric forecasting, activation guidance, and custom analytics to transform data into impactful insights.
• Mentor and develop team members through performance management, upskilling initiatives, and fostering a positive, accountable culture.
• Manage team resources efficiently to ensure timely delivery and consistent client experience.
• Contribute to business growth by actively pursuing new opportunities within existing accounts and enhancing delivery processes using AI-driven solutions.
• Maintain awareness of advancements in innovation practices, AI technologies, and market research to continuously refine methodologies.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Business, Marketing, Social Sciences, or related fields.
• At least 8 years of experience in primary quantitative research, with a strong preference for FMCG industry exposure.
• Deep expertise in BASES innovation processes, frameworks, methodologies, and client applications.
• Solid understanding of concept testing, product testing, volumetric forecasting, activation guidance, custom research, and analytics.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience managing teams or people.
• Proven success handling numerous complex quantitative studies within tight budgets and timelines.
• Demonstrable ability to positively influence senior client stakeholders and deliver impactful client outcomes.
• A commercial mindset with experience collaborating with commercial teams to uncover cross-selling and upselling opportunities.
• Practical experience with Studio or similar platforms to facilitate automation and expedited workflows.
• Strong skills in change management, process improvement, AI-enabled delivery automation, and accelerating time to market.
• Excellent communication, including fluency in presenting to C-suite audiences.
• Curious, analytical, impact-oriented mindset with a proactive, collaborative attitude.

Additional Information

• Flexible working environment and volunteer time off available.
• Access to ongoing learning platforms and Employee Assistance Program.
• Company commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and compliance with AI usage principles for recruitment processes.

About the Company

NIQ is a leading consumer intelligence firm providing comprehensive consumer behavior insights and advanced analytics worldwide. Following its recent merger with GfK, NIQ now operates globally, delivering the Full View™ across more than 100 markets and widely recognized for innovation in analytics and consumer insight.