Orange County Register Communications Career Opportunities
Please note that this position is no longer available. If you would like to be considered for similar opportunities now or in the future, feel free to apply and/or set up a notifier for yourself.
Research & Market Insight Director
CA - Santa Ana
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Opportunity Snapshot
You might know us as the "Orange County Register" but we're much more than a newspaper; we're a leading-edge communications company that publishes a diverse portfolio of newspaper, magazine and Internet products. At Freedom Orange County Information (FOCI), we're evolving to become a customer-centric organization and this is the perfect time to join us and help shape the future of our organization. As Director of Market Research, the insights you provide will determine the new products we launch and the segments we target in the future. Unlike most companies where marketing plays a peripheral support role, our marketing department actually drives the organization and is critical in helping just about every one of our departments create success.
Your mission is to drive the development of our segmentation strategies and provide solutions to grow our revenue streams and market share. You'll also be a relentless process improvement champion, and continually seek new ways to better serve our customers' needs in a fiercely competitive market.
If you are passionate about market research and can perform in a dynamic environment with a diverse stream of new projects, consider this rewarding role. . .
What You'll Bring to the Table
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field (an MBA is preferred).
At least 7 years of experience in market research, with at least 2-3 years of demonstrated success in a management role.
Sales experience preferred.
Experience in media is a plus.
Deep understanding of primary and secondary market research methods.
Outstanding analytical skills.
Ability to not only synthesize large quantities of data into capsules of information, but also to present it in relevant ways.
Strong leadership skills.
Fluency with relational databases and online marketing tools to help optimize processes.
Expertise in the entire MS Office suite, particularly Excel and Access.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
What's in It for You
High visibility: You'll acquire a strong knowledge of almost all facets of our organization (advertising, content, marketing, circulation, and more) and develop key relationships with our executive management team.
Career development: If you don't already have it, you'll acquire a broad knowledge of the media industry, and it may take some time to master all the nuances of the Orange County market. While we have enough variety to keep you intrigued in this role for years to come, once you have proven yourself you'll be in a position to pursue a number of different opportunities within our organization.
Great environment: If you love being challenged, this is the place for you as you'll be exposed to a lifelong learning process with our diverse media products. In addition, you'll receive impeccable support from your direct reports team, comprised of high-performing individuals that have proven themselves within our organization.
Excellent compensation: Along with a competitive salary and bonus program, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical and dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, and more.
Who We Are
Freedom Orange County Information is a leading news and information company that publishes a diverse portfolio of newspaper, magazine and Internet products.
Based in Santa Ana, California, Freedom Orange County Information publishes The Orange County Register, 25 community newspapers including Spanish-language Excelsior, SqueezeOC, OCRegister.com, SqueezeOC.com, OCExcelsior.com and GolfExtra membership card. OCR Magazines, the specialty-publications unit of Freedom Orange County Information, publishes Coast, Orange County Home, Private Showing, Orange County Kids, Preferred Destinations Magazine, and other publications supporting the arts.
Freedom Orange County Information is a division of Freedom Communications, Inc., a diversified media company of newspapers, television broadcast stations and Internet-based businesses.
More About Your Role
If you're a good fit for this position, you already know much of what this job entails. However, to be sure we're providing a complete picture, here are some details.
Reporting directly to our VP of Marketing, you'll oversee the Market Research team which includes four Research Analysts. You'll take over a program that is solid; your challenge is to take it to the next level and ensure its evolution to meet and surpass our advertisers' and customers' changing needs. One of the initiatives you'll be working on is to spearhead a comprehensive study to take the Orange County Register to a new level of excellence, utilizing focus groups and other research tools, to provide insightful recommendations.
You'll be spending about 30% of your time strategizing, evaluating the market and identifying new opportunities; 20% leading the development of proprietary studies and presenting the results; another 20% crafting the research insights into a meaningful story for our prospects; 20% on making advertiser presentations to our top clients; and the final 10% mentoring and coaching your staff. Specifically, your responsibilities are to:
Manage research staff, effectively recommending hiring, promotion, termination, disciplinary, and commendatory action of all assigned personnel; carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Oversee all aspects of primary and secondary research projects from selection of research suppliers and questionnaire designs to data analysis and presentations of results.
Focus on the annual Consumer Attitude Survey (during Q1 & Q4), a comprehensive study of Orange County, which measures over 30 advertising categories annually.
Prepare and deliver industry specific sales and marketing presentations with emphasis on major accounts to current and potential advertisers utilizing a variety of primary and secondary research sources.
Oversee focus groups, both for internal departments, and current and potential advertisers.
Oversee the preparation and execution of primary research projects including survey development, field service, and results.
Consult with Advertising Managers and Account Executives, various FOCI associates, and the general public to produce customized research materials.
Work closely with the Brand Managers to produce customized research materials to help better understand our audience and their usage of our products.
Respond to client questions, solving problems with data that may be readily available or require further research and recommendation.
Keys to Success
The people who flourish in our dynamic environment are those that project a strong, confident presence and are continually looking for ways to help us connect with our busy Southern California readers. We're not looking for "yes men"; we need critical thinkers who can evaluate our existing products and present innovative solutions that will allow us to maintain our leading edge. In addition, you will rely on your:
Communications finesse: In addition to your analytical acumen, you will hone your interpersonal skills to present complex research data into easy-to-understand presentations; you will demonstrate tact and diplomacy in all communications, effectively reading between the lines, listening closely, and building relationships with our stakeholders.
Leadership prowess: With strong consultative management skills, you'll establish clear and achievable goals and standards for your team. You'll also take a hands-on approach and aim to constantly improve our research program through mentorship and training.
Multi-tasking savvy: You'll be an ace at juggling multiple competing priorities from a slew of internal customers and providing deliverables in a deadline-driven environment.
If this sounds like the right mix of challenge and opportunity, and you meet the required qualifications, we want to hear from you!
Opportunity Snapshot
You might know us as the "Orange County Register" but we're much more than a newspaper; we're a leading-edge communications company that publishes a diverse portfolio of newspaper, magazine and Internet products. At Freedom Orange County Information (FOCI), we're evolving to become a customer-centric organization and this is the perfect time to join us and help shape the future of our organization. As Director of Market Research, the insights you provide will determine the new products we launch and the segments we target in the future. Unlike most companies where marketing plays a peripheral support role, our marketing department actually drives the organization and is critical in helping just about every one of our departments create success.
Your mission is to drive the development of our segmentation strategies and provide solutions to grow our revenue streams and market share. You'll also be a relentless process improvement champion, and continually seek new ways to better serve our customers' needs in a fiercely competitive market.
If you are passionate about market research and can perform in a dynamic environment with a diverse stream of new projects, consider this rewarding role. . .
What You'll Bring to the Table
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or related field (an MBA is preferred).
At least 7 years of experience in market research, with at least 2-3 years of demonstrated success in a management role.
Sales experience preferred.
Experience in media is a plus.
Deep understanding of primary and secondary market research methods.
Outstanding analytical skills.
Ability to not only synthesize large quantities of data into capsules of information, but also to present it in relevant ways.
Strong leadership skills.
Fluency with relational databases and online marketing tools to help optimize processes.
Expertise in the entire MS Office suite, particularly Excel and Access.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
What's in It for You
High visibility: You'll acquire a strong knowledge of almost all facets of our organization (advertising, content, marketing, circulation, and more) and develop key relationships with our executive management team.
Career development: If you don't already have it, you'll acquire a broad knowledge of the media industry, and it may take some time to master all the nuances of the Orange County market. While we have enough variety to keep you intrigued in this role for years to come, once you have proven yourself you'll be in a position to pursue a number of different opportunities within our organization.
Great environment: If you love being challenged, this is the place for you as you'll be exposed to a lifelong learning process with our diverse media products. In addition, you'll receive impeccable support from your direct reports team, comprised of high-performing individuals that have proven themselves within our organization.
Excellent compensation: Along with a competitive salary and bonus program, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical and dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, and more.
Who We Are
Freedom Orange County Information is a leading news and information company that publishes a diverse portfolio of newspaper, magazine and Internet products.
Based in Santa Ana, California, Freedom Orange County Information publishes The Orange County Register, 25 community newspapers including Spanish-language Excelsior, SqueezeOC, OCRegister.com, SqueezeOC.com, OCExcelsior.com and GolfExtra membership card. OCR Magazines, the specialty-publications unit of Freedom Orange County Information, publishes Coast, Orange County Home, Private Showing, Orange County Kids, Preferred Destinations Magazine, and other publications supporting the arts.
Freedom Orange County Information is a division of Freedom Communications, Inc., a diversified media company of newspapers, television broadcast stations and Internet-based businesses.
More About Your Role
If you're a good fit for this position, you already know much of what this job entails. However, to be sure we're providing a complete picture, here are some details.
Reporting directly to our VP of Marketing, you'll oversee the Market Research team which includes four Research Analysts. You'll take over a program that is solid; your challenge is to take it to the next level and ensure its evolution to meet and surpass our advertisers' and customers' changing needs. One of the initiatives you'll be working on is to spearhead a comprehensive study to take the Orange County Register to a new level of excellence, utilizing focus groups and other research tools, to provide insightful recommendations.
You'll be spending about 30% of your time strategizing, evaluating the market and identifying new opportunities; 20% leading the development of proprietary studies and presenting the results; another 20% crafting the research insights into a meaningful story for our prospects; 20% on making advertiser presentations to our top clients; and the final 10% mentoring and coaching your staff. Specifically, your responsibilities are to:
Manage research staff, effectively recommending hiring, promotion, termination, disciplinary, and commendatory action of all assigned personnel; carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Oversee all aspects of primary and secondary research projects from selection of research suppliers and questionnaire designs to data analysis and presentations of results.
Focus on the annual Consumer Attitude Survey (during Q1 & Q4), a comprehensive study of Orange County, which measures over 30 advertising categories annually.
Prepare and deliver industry specific sales and marketing presentations with emphasis on major accounts to current and potential advertisers utilizing a variety of primary and secondary research sources.
Oversee focus groups, both for internal departments, and current and potential advertisers.
Oversee the preparation and execution of primary research projects including survey development, field service, and results.
Consult with Advertising Managers and Account Executives, various FOCI associates, and the general public to produce customized research materials.
Work closely with the Brand Managers to produce customized research materials to help better understand our audience and their usage of our products.
Respond to client questions, solving problems with data that may be readily available or require further research and recommendation.
Keys to Success
The people who flourish in our dynamic environment are those that project a strong, confident presence and are continually looking for ways to help us connect with our busy Southern California readers. We're not looking for "yes men"; we need critical thinkers who can evaluate our existing products and present innovative solutions that will allow us to maintain our leading edge. In addition, you will rely on your:
Communications finesse: In addition to your analytical acumen, you will hone your interpersonal skills to present complex research data into easy-to-understand presentations; you will demonstrate tact and diplomacy in all communications, effectively reading between the lines, listening closely, and building relationships with our stakeholders.
Leadership prowess: With strong consultative management skills, you'll establish clear and achievable goals and standards for your team. You'll also take a hands-on approach and aim to constantly improve our research program through mentorship and training.
Multi-tasking savvy: You'll be an ace at juggling multiple competing priorities from a slew of internal customers and providing deliverables in a deadline-driven environment.
If this sounds like the right mix of challenge and opportunity, and you meet the required qualifications, we want to hear from you!
Freedom Newspapers is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
