Title: Market Research Operations Manager
Location: Remote (West Coast required)
Compensation: Commensurate with Experience 
Contact dwilberschied@smithhanley.com

Our client, an AI research startup is redefining how primary market research is conducted. The company’s end-to-end platform uses advanced AI to automate expert interviews and streamline insight delivery, helping clients in private equity, Fortune 500 companies, and the life sciences industry move faster and smarter.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end fieldwork execution for quantitative and/or qualitative research projects

• Manage relationships with recruitment partners, panel providers, and field agencies

• Coordinate sample sourcing, quotas, scheduling, and respondent logistics

• Monitor field progress, troubleshoot issues, and adjust plans to keep studies on timeline and budget

• Ensure all fieldwork meets study specs, targeting criteria, and data quality standards

• Communicate status updates to internal project teams and flag risks proactively

• Review incidence, feasibility, and cost estimates to support project scoping

• Implement quality control checks and respondent validation procedures

• Maintain documentation, trackers, and fieldwork reports

• Support process improvements to increase efficiency and consistency across field operations

Qualifications

• 2–5+ years of experience in market research operations, project management, or fieldwork coordination

• Familiarity with panel sourcing, sample management, and recruitment methodologies

• Strong vendor-management and negotiation skills

• Excellent attention to detail and organizational habits

• Ability to problem-solve quickly in fast-paced or high-volume environments

• Clear written and verbal communication abilities

• Comfort interpreting feasibility metrics, incidence rates, and sample performance data

• Experience with research platforms or fieldwork tools (e.g., survey programming platforms, sample portals) a plus