Creative Researcher

We are seeking a highly skilled Creative Research Lead to design, lead, and synthesize all qualitative and quantitative research that fuels creative strategy and insight development for the in house agency and Brand Marketing teams. This role is responsible for uncovering the human truths, cultural signals, behavioral patterns, and audience perceptions that inspire meaningful creative and strengthen the master brand creative platform.

This is a dedicated creative research role—not a copy writer, designer, or brand marketer. Instead, this individual is the research engine of the team: the expert who knows how to ask the right questions, choose the right methodologies, and translate findings into clear, actionable insights that speak directly to both the marketing lens and the creative lens – ensuring each team understands what the research means for their goals and decision-making.

This role partners closely with the Creative Strategist, providing the research foundation needed to identify audience tensions, insights, and opportunities. The Creative Researcher also partners with Brand Marketing to understand learning needs, learning gaps identification, and support campaign evaluation — all while maintaining a strong connection to audience understanding and creative inspiration.

The ideal candidate is curious, analytical, empathetic, and passionate about understanding audiences at a deep human level. They are well versed in both qualitative and quantitative methods, skilled at interpreting complex findings, and excellent at telling compelling stories with data.

This position requires in-office presence four days per week in San Antonio, TX.

Pay: $90-100k

Duties & Responsibilities

RESEARCH LEADERSHIP

• Leads the design, planning, and execution of qualitative and quantitative research that supports creative and strategic development.
• Selects the appropriate methodologies (focus groups, IDIs, ethnography, surveys, segmentation, etc.) to answer business and creative questions.
• Oversees research vendor relationships and ensures high-quality deliverables.
• Designs research instruments such as discussion guides, screeners, and survey questionnaires in partnership with research vendors.
• Translates complex data sets into clear and digestible insights.

INSIGHT DEVELOPMENT

• Synthesizes research findings to uncover audience motivations, tensions, needs, behaviors, and emotional drivers.
• Identifies cultural and relevant trends that influence the brand and creative opportunities.
• Provides insight summaries, research proposals, and actionable recommendations.
• Delivers insightful key learnings and recommendations

TESTING & EVALUATION

• Designs and manages creative testing and message testing to inform refinement.
• Identifies opportunities to improve research rigor and evolve methodologies over time.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

• Builds and maintains an internal library of insights, audience knowledge, and cultural intelligence.
• Conducts insight-sharing sessions and trends briefings to inspire cross-functional teams.

Skills & Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including when and how to apply them.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research end-to-end: design, recruit strategy, moderation, analysis, synthesis, presentation, and vendor management.
• Strong storytelling skills — able to turn data into compelling, inspiring narratives.
• Strong understanding of audience insight development and its connection to creative effectiveness.
• Ability to manage multiple research studies at once with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Comfortable collaborating with strategists, creatives, and marketers in a fast-paced environment.
• Curiosity, empathy, analytical thinking, and a passion for understanding people and culture.

Education & Experience

• B.A. or B.S. in Advertising, Communication, Marketing, Business or related field preferred.
• Proven experience as a Researcher, Consumer Insights, Creative Researcher, or similar role in an agency or brand environment.
• Experience with custom research tools, platforms, and analytics approaches.

Team People, a division of System One, is an organization dedicated to providing…