Job Openings
Explorer | Director | Shopper Research | Ontario
Explorer – Toronto or Remote, Ontario (Hybrid)
Explorer is part of Savanta which is a fast-growing data, market research, and advisory company. Being part of the Savanta Network provides Explorer with global coverage while maintaining our consultative approach with clients.
At Explorer, we are shopper experts. We focus on all thing’s shopper research, using a behavioral approach to identifying and understanding actionable opportunities for our clients. As part of Savanta, we have a broad range of shopper research offerings, with a specialty in Pack, Planogram, Retail, Signage, and Path-to-Purchase research.
Are you ready to lead impactful projects and transform data into compelling stories? At Explorer, you’ll drive client success and team excellence. This role requires you to reside in Ontario, Canada, with opportunities for travel across North America. You’ll report directly to the Vice President, leveraging your skills to make a real difference.
Currently this role is remote but will be linked to the Ontario office and may change to hybrid in the future.
About the Role:
Step into a role where you drive client success. Working alongside the Vice President, you’ll manage multiple accounts, ensuring projects are delivered smoothly and client goals are met. Each day brings new challenges – from turning raw data into clear, actionable stories for reports and presentations, to distilling analytics into sharp insights that solve real business problems.
You’ll be the bridge between complex findings and those who need to act on them. Your work connects insight with impact. Sometimes that means being onsite, overseeing field operations so client expectations aren’t just met – they’re exceeded. When issues arise, you respond with practical solutions that build trust. You will primarily work with quantitative research in the shopper space.
You’ll play an active part in mentoring your team, helping others reach their potential and contributing to a culture of support and growth. Through leading training sessions and developing research skills, you’ll strengthen the group – so everyone’s equipped to deliver standout results.
Key responsibilities will be:
- Leading Projects: Support the vice president in the oversight and management of multiple client accounts, delivering exceptional results and building lasting relationships.
- Transforming Data into Narratives: Convert complex information into captivating stories with precision in report writing and presentations.
- Providing Clarity: Apply advanced analytics to distil complex data into straightforward, actionable insights that solve business challenges.
- Connect with Stakeholders: Develop well-crafted reports and presentations that resonate with both strategic planners and operational managers.
- On-Site Field Management: Be present on-site with clients (primarily across the US and Canada) to ensure field operations align seamlessly with client expectations and needs.
- Resolving Issues: Address client concerns with practical solutions that ensure satisfaction and loyalty.
- Mentoring & Training: Inspire and support team members to achieve their goals while fostering a collaborative work culture. Develop and lead training initiatives to enhance our team’s skills in research methods and strategies.
About You:
Explorer is looking for individuals that are highly skilled managing complex projects and making data actionable.
You will bring:
- Substantial experience in the MR industry, with a mix of client-side and supplier-side experience highly appreciated.
- Proven leadership skills that inspire and effectively guide teams in high-pressure situations.
- Expertise in advanced analytics and experience in transforming data into actionable business solutions.
- The ability to deliver precise strategies and insights, even under tight schedules.
- Experience running and delivering quantitative research studies, both online and central location testing.
- Exceptional communication skills for building strong relationships with senior-level clients.
- Experience in Shopper Research is desirable, particularly in areas like packaging testing, optimizing store layouts, and understanding customer pathways.
- A proactive mindset with a passion for balancing various projects efficiently and meeting fast turnaround requirements.
Eager to Make an Impact? If you’re located in Ontario, Canada, and ready to step into a dynamic role with flexibility and travel opportunities, apply now to join Explorer. This is your chance to shape influential client partnerships and contribute to a thriving team!
And in return, Explorer offers*:
- Salary Range: $100,000 – $115,000 CAD (depending on experience and ability)
- Bonus scheme
- Flexible working practices
- Health package
- Team & Company Socials
Why Join Us:
Part of the vibrant Savanta & Next 15 Communications Group, we have an entrepreneurial company culture that actively recognizes and values its people and offers excellent opportunity for career development.
Explorer Research is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and continuously strives to be an employer of choice. Our people are our greatest asset – we value workplace diversity and inclusion, oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination, and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds.
*Full details of local benefits and perks available on request from the People Team (HR).
All candidates will be considered equally, however, unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship.
Explorer | Research Manager | Shopper Research | Ontario
Explorer – Toronto or Remote, Ontario (Hybrid)
At Explorer, we are shopper research experts. We use a behavioral approach to identify and understand actionable opportunities for our clients. As part of the Savanta Group, we offer a broad range of shopper research services, specializing in Pack, Planogram, Retail, Signage, and Path-to-Purchase research. Being part of this group provides Explorer with global coverage while maintaining our consultative approach.
This position requires residency in Ontario, Canada, with opportunities for travel across North America. The role is currently remote, with potential to transition to a hybrid model based out of our Ontario office.
About the Role:
This is a hands-on focused on delivering high‑quality research projects and insights while owning small to medium‑sized client relationships.
Research Managers are responsible for running projects, delegating tasks, and handling daily activities while keeping clients updated and resolving any queries promptly.
You will work independently while collaborating closely with Project Leads and specialist teams across Explorer and Savanta, applying strong analytical thinking to help clients make better decisions. This position is responsible for projects from the initial brief to final delivery.
This role presents an excellent opportunity to advance your career, gain valuable experience with high-profile clients, and work with a diverse client base delivering high-quality quantitative and mixed methodology projects.
About You:
At Explorer/Savanta, Research Managers have strong working competency of the research lifecycle and a point of view about different research and insight techniques.
As a Research Manager at Explorer/Savanta, you will:
- Demonstrate strong competency across the research lifecycle and insight techniques.
- Act as primary client contact, managing projects from brief to final delivery.
- Design research elements such as sample plans, questionnaires, and analysis frameworks.
- Execute high-quality research programs that meet client objectives.
- Support business growth through excellent project execution and client relationship development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and execute quantitative and mixed methodology projects from start to finish.
- Delegate and review tasks such as questionnaire editing, field monitoring, data cleaning, and tab checking.
- Oversee project tasks including scripting, fieldwork, and supplier management, ensuring project timelines and budgets are met.
- Perform data analysis to generate insights and recommendations.
- Bring data stories to life through compelling reports and presentations. Present engaging presentations that drive actionable outcomes.
- Moderate qualitative research (e.g., IDIs, shop-alongs).
Your role is essential in ensuring that projects are executed efficiently, to high quality, providing valuable insights to clients and fostering strong client relationships to support business growth.
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Well-versed in all phases of a quantitative or mixed methodology project, demonstrating expertise from initiation to completion. And able to use this experience to design research to meet clients’ needs.
- A deep understanding of data analysis for insights generation and client relationship building experience
- Able to operate independently, showcasing the ability to manage projects without extensive support.
- Capable of developing and nurturing client relationships, with the ability to articulate insights to clients.
- A passion for finding stories within data and bringing these to life through reports and presentations.
- Thrives on variety and challenge and be able to balance competing demands on your time.
It is beneficial if you have:
- Experience in managing or mentoring other team members.
- Experience in moderating qualitative IDIs, shop-alongs, etc.
And in return, Explorer offers*:
- Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000 CAD (depending on experience and ability)
- Flexible working practices
- Health package
- Retirement plan
- Team & Company Socials
Why Join Us:
Part of the vibrant Savanta & Next 15 Communications Group, we have an entrepreneurial company culture that actively recognizes and values its people and offers excellent opportunity for career development.
Explorer Research is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and continuously strives to be an employer of choice. Our people are our greatest asset – we value workplace diversity and inclusion, oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination, and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds.
*Full details of local benefits and perks available on request from the People Team (HR).
All candidates will be considered equally, however, unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship.
Here's what our employees say:
Aaron Ormiston
Senior Research Manager
“Explorer Research does incredibly well at recognizing their employees’ strengths and has zero hesitation at expediting individuals to higher level roles when earned. While career development is important, Explorer Research has a people-first mentality and is consistently trying to improve. This is very evident through their team collaboration/surveys to strengthen work benefits and conditions based on the input of the team themselves. This input is instantly validated which is seen in vacation increases and the generous health and wellness funds provided alongside company-wide perks. I am incredibly fortunate to have landed at Explorer Research so early in my career as it went above and beyond my expectations.”
Jasmitaa Chhabra
Vice President
“Explorer Research puts their people first. From providing competitive compensation based on quarterly research industry audits to ensuring work-life balance by offering remote work, flexible hours, and committing to the right-to-disconnect policy, they ensure they stay ahead of the curve. Based on our collective feedback, Explorer has topped us off with benefits we care about the most – a wellness spending package, an additional week of paid time off, an allowance towards our home offices, just to name a few. Explorer also invests in our continuous learning and development by hosting knowledge-sharing sessions, interactive workshops, and training led by industry experts. This creates an environment we can thrive in and feel good about the place we work!”