Associate

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Job Details
Job Description
Associate, Consulting Team
Job Location: (Hybrid) New York City, Boston, or Chicago
Primary Objective
Delivery of high-quality/high-impact foresight, innovation, brand strategy and consulting solutions, while actively building client relationships with the world’s most valuable brands and developing consulting skills in a dynamic, vibrant, collaborative and fun environment
Multi-talented, multi-taskers who bring energy, expertise, momentum, and discipline to our projects
Scope of Role
Deliver a range of consulting engagements including trends and strategic foresight, cultural insight and applied semiotics, front-end innovation, commerce and brand strategy, market structures, consumer and demand segmentation, brand valuation, portfolio and architecture strategy, and brand purpose.
Understand and frame client challenges across marketing, foresight, commerce, and innovation; support solution design with manager guidance to ensure outputs are meaningful, accurate, and actionable.
Contribute to project and client discussions, collaborating proactively with team members to achieve project objectives.
Support end-to-end project delivery, including questionnaire and sample design, analytic planning, trend scouting, and cultural mining.
Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from primary research and secondary sources into clear, compelling narratives; demonstrate strong written, verbal, and visual storytelling skills.
Effectively use AI tools to support analysis, efficiency, and delivery.
Manage timelines, quality, and execution, coordinating with internal teams and clients and identifying and resolving issues as they arise.
Ensure rigorous quality control through in-depth checks at key stages of the project lifecycle.
Support team capability building, acting as a resource for new team members and sharing guidance on tools, tasks, and best practices.
Demonstrate critical thinking and ownership, following research and project plans, contributing ideas, and constructively challenging perspectives.
Develop clear, impactful client deliverables, including presentations and supporting materials.
Continuously improve ways of working, identifying opportunities to streamline, automate, and enhance processes, including through AI-enabled approaches—without compromising quality.
Build personal and team capability, taking ownership of skill development and supporting others through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Maintain curiosity and functional expertise, developing a strong understanding of Kantar capabilities, data sources, tools, practice areas, and industry developments.
Build strong internal relationships, proactively seeking feedback and collaboration across consulting teams.
Support growth activities, including proposal development and broader business initiatives.
Actively contribute to culture and community, participating in team, ERG, and social/community activities.
Essential Knowledge & Experience
1-2 years of professional experience or strong internships / MMR programs; market research or consulting experience preferred with exposure to foresight, brand strategy, innovation engagements supported by qualitative and quantitative methodologies
Bachelor’s degree; preferred major or concentration in marketing / market research, social science, or other analytic fields
An insatiable curiosity, open-minded and willingness to learn – always on the lookout for innovative ideas and inspiration, new ways of working, frameworks and thinking that can inspire our team
Strong process and time management skills; capable of prioritizing and delivering against multiple/competing deadlines, prior project management experience preferred
A keen interest in the interplay among people, culture, brands, and business as well as social, technological, economic, environmental, human and political change
Experience with AI tools and openness to exploring more ways to incorporate AI into our work
Strong detail-orientation skills; ability to manage multiple work streams and among multiple teams,
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) with ability to use logical reasoning and problem solving
Natural curiosity, a can-do attitude, driven and willing to take initiative
Takes the initiative and has a proactive mindset to work independently and within a team
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Essential Skills & Capabilities
Communication
Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
Confidently delivers messages and exemplifies Kantar values
Technical/ Analytical
Interest / passion in marketing research methods, tools, and science
Interest / intellectual curiosity in learning the various Kantar solutions
Strong analytical skills – both quantitative (Excel, SPSS etc.) and qualitative
Proficiency in Microsoft office tools and ability to master other needed business tools
Ability to think strategically and support the development of insights, implications and recommendations for our clients
Aptitude for technical leadership for maximum client impact
Kantar Benefits
We provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package, including
Medical plans with comprehensive, affordable coverage for a range of health services
Health Savings Account/FSA
Dental, Vision and benefits to cover unique healthcare needs
Wellness Program
401k with match
Tuition Reimbursement, Commuter benefits
Unlimited PTO
Why join Kantar?
We shape the brands of tomorrow by better understanding people everywhere. By understanding people, we can understand what drives their de