Director, Qualitative Program Management

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Title: Director, Qualitative Program Management Location: REMOTE (CT, RI, MA, NJ, NY, PA, Est zone) We are seeking a highly experienced Director of Qualitative Program Management to lead complex, high-visibility qualitative research programs for leading technology companies.  This is not a traditional project management role. The ideal candidate functions as both a strategic advisor and operational leader, capable of managing large-scale qualitative research initiatives while serving as a trusted partner to senior client stakeholders. They bring executive presence, exceptional organizational rigor, and the ability to confidently navigate ambiguity, influence decisions, and drive action.  Success in this role requires a candidate who acts as the operational face of our team to tech clients, driving outcomes through active risk mitigation and strategic problem-solving, rather than merely coordinating tasks.

Strategic Client Leadership ·      Serve as a trusted advisor to stakeholders across product, marketing, UX, research, innovation, AI, cloud, and technology organizations. ·      Lead client conversations with confidence, bringing recommendations and solutions rather than simply reporting status. ·      Connect research activities to broader business objectives, strategic priorities, growth opportunities, and decision-making needs. ·      Guide clients through complex challenges by providing clear points of view, trade-offs, and actionable recommendations. ·      Build long-term partnerships that strengthen client confidence, retention, and growth. Program & Portfolio Leadership ·      Oversee multiple concurrent qualitative research programs and strategic accounts. ·      Drive end-to-end execution across large-scale, multi-market and global initiatives. ·      Establish operational frameworks that enable teams to execute consistently and efficiently. ·      Anticipate risks, remove barriers, and implement mitigation strategies before issues impact delivery.       Create clarity and accountability across complex stakeholder groups and workstreams. ·      Proactively manage scope, recruitment challenges, and timeline realities. You are expected to present options, trade-offs, and clear recommendations rather than simply escalating problems Research & Operational Excellence ·      Partner closely with researchers, moderators, project managers, recruitment partners, vendors, operations teams, and client stakeholders. ·      Apply a strong understanding of qualitative methodologies, recruitment feasibility, screeners, participant management, and study execution. ·      Manage highly customized research programs requiring precision, adaptability, and exceptional attention to detail. ·      Translate ambiguity into structured plans, clear deliverables, and actionable next steps. ·      Identify opportunities to improve processes, scalability, and operational efficiency. Executive Communication ·      Serve as the primary point of contact for senior client stakeholders and internal leadership teams. ·      Navigate difficult conversations with confidence, professionally pushing back on unrealistic timelines or scope creep when necessary to protect delivery quality and client satisfaction ·      Foster a 'Revenue Protection' mindset by recognizing that seamless operational execution is a direct driver of client retention and future account growth ·      Facilitate alignment across cross-functional teams, ensuring information flows effectively and decisions are clearly documented. ·      Navigate conversations around scope, feasibility, timelines, budgets, and changing priorities while