Happy Thinking People
Happy Thinking People is an independent marketing research and innovation consultancy.
- Open roles
- 18
Company signals
Score: 59Job facts
- Location
- Hybrid · Hong Kong SAR
- Workplace
- Hybrid
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Client Teams
More roles at Happy Thinking People
- Junior Project Manager (Market Research) · Manila
- Insight Manager · Manila
- Content Activation Manager (UK) · Manchester
- Market Research Intern · Shanghai
- Insight Consultant · Hong Kong SAR
- Senior Research and Implementation Associate · US
Director
at Happy Thinking People
The Director is a commercially-driven leadership role operating at the intersection of data, human behavior, and growth. Your mission is to raise the quality of client outputs through strategic insight, while spending ~50% of your time selling new engagements to both existing and new clients.
You will be the definitive voice that moves beyond reporting to activating strategy for C-level executives. Backgrounds in strategic planning or consulting are particularly beneficial. Internally, you lead a team, advance our methodologies, and embed a culture of strategic excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Growth & Sales Fronting (top priority, ~50% of role)
- Drive revenue by spending approximately half your time proactively selling new engagements to existing and new clients, meeting defined growth targets.
- Identify and close upsell opportunities (e.g., adding quant to qual, or vice versa) and uncover white space within your portfolio.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior clients, managing scope and guiding them through ambiguity to create commercial momentum.
Practice Leadership & Business Impact (includes running a team)
- Run and manage the team directly, including inspiring, coaching, and developing insights professionals into future strategic consultants.
- Oversee team management responsibilities such as performance, career development, and resource allocation.
- Champion excellence, guide project delivery, and shape market-facing thought leadership.
**Strategic Insight Activation & Storytelling **
- Design optimal mixed-method methodologies (qual/quant) to test business hypotheses.
- Synthesize complex data (qual, quant, behavioral) using consultative AI tools to uncover deeper truths.
- Craft boardroom-ready narratives with actionable commercial recommendations and creative frameworks.
- Design and facilitate client workshops across Innovation, Brand, and Experience to unlock new value.
Technical & Analytical Expertise
- Master integrated mixed-method research programs (surveys, segmentation, digital qual, communities).
- Leverage advanced tools (AI/NLP, proprietary platforms) for efficiency and deeper meaning.
Understanding Human Behavior
- Apply behavioral science and cultural context to fuel creative, commercially-viable brand strategies.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- 10+ years in research consultancy with clear revenue responsibilities and a track record of account growth via upselling. Background spanning qual and quant is essential. Strategic planning or consulting experience is highly beneficial.
- Strategic Vision & Critical Thinking
- Consulting/Planning Background (beneficial) – experience in strategic planning or consulting
- Executive Storytelling & Data Synthesis
- Client Leadership & Commercial Drive (hunter-farmer mentality)
- People & Team Management – proven ability to run a team
- Methodological & Behavioral Science Expertise