Product Research

Overview

AARP Services, Inc., founded in 1999, is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages the provider relationships for and performs quality control oversight of the wide range of products and services that carry the AARP name and are made available by independent providers as benefits to AARP's millions of members. The provider offers currently span health products, financial products, travel and leisure products, and life event services. Specific products include Medicare supplemental insurance; credit cards, auto and home, mobile home and motorcycle insurance, life insurance and annuities; member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and lodging; special offers on technology and gifts; pharmacy services and legal services. AARP Services also engages in new product development activities for AARP and provides certain consulting services to outside companies.

As the Product Research & Insights Manager in the Marketing Department, you will work in support of AARP Services Business Development and Emerging Businesses team. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and conducting primary and secondary research to develop actionable insights that shape various departmental objectives with a focus on categories, including Travel, Dining, Financial Services, Technology, and Health & Wellness. You will collaborate with management to identify opportunities to streamline consumer insights processes, develop new procedures that support the business unit/department, and develop prospecting decks through supportive data and insights. In addition, you will lead and collaborate on the development of a research agenda to address the critical questions or provide key data required to support organizational priorities.

Responsibilities

Advises clients, stakeholders, and senior management on all phases of research, including conceptualization, recommendations for research methodology, and recommendations for action from research findings. Manages complex and conflicting relationships among multiple stakeholders. Represents Association's research to external audiences including the media, legislators, and other organizations in venues including press conferences and professional meetings. Manages and collaborates on a major research portfolio with broad Association impact and synthesizes the complex array of data into clear, actionable insights. Develops and manages the overall research plan for the portfolio of work including specific project work plans, project budgets, requests for proposals, vendor selection and management of vendor work. Oversees the work of staff assigned to projects within the portfolio and provides direction, feedback, and contributions to staff performance reviews. Conceptualizes and designs complex research projects, including with high-risk or innovative methodologies and highly constrained timelines and resources. Selects the most appropriate data sources and collection methods to maximize the value and utility of the research across the organization, with the goal of building and aggregating a base of knowledge around key issues. Oversees vendors or supervises other staff who implement the data collection plan. Determines strategies for data analyses. Conducts and/or supervises data analyses including bivariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and other complex statistical techniques as required. Advises other research staff on statistical and data analytic issues. Communicates research findings, often from complex studies or from a program of research, by integrating related research and identifying implications of the research for action by decision-makers. Determines methods to communicate research results and works closely with others to develop clear, impactful deliverables for stakeholders including data visualization and graphics. Responds effectively to complex and challenging requests for clarification and elaboration of research results. Serves as an expert resource and is often responsible for work with high visibility and critical outcomes. Plays a leadership role in managing knowledge resources by actively sharing knowledge, collaborating with others, synthesizing research to provide integration and context, and ensuring the maintenance of up-to-date research records that are accessible by others. Stays abreast of key news, policies, and consumer trends related to assigned core issue areas and research portfolio and applies that knowledge to proactively frame future research. Develops capacity by coaching and mentoring junior staff, participating in efforts to redesign workflow and systems, and providing peer review and technical assistance to other researchers.
Qualifications

Master's Degree required in social/behavioral sciences, marketing research or a related discipline. 5+ years of progressively more responsible professional experience, including research project leadership, with an emphasis on applied research in areas such as survey research, evaluation research, market research, communications research, or demographics. Requires highly technical knowledge of applied research methodologies and issues; solid data analysis and statistical skills. Proficiency in analysis of secondary datasets like MRI, Resonate, Macromonitor, IBIS, and Forrester. Proven ability to tell a story using actionable data and developing solutions utilizing data. In-depth understanding of advanced quantitative research methodologies (Conjoint, Cluster, Factor, TURF, Multivariates, Significance Testing, Sample weighting, etc.). Proficient in SPSS and must be highly proficient in developing PowerPoint presentations/documents. Must have a solid understanding of relational databases as well as merging datasets. Ability to create in-depth analytical conclusions from results collected and link those findings with the strategic direction and goals of the organization. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, build consensus with peers and management, market ideas and influence decision-making among key stakeholders. Experience in Agency, product, business development research, and competitive research preferred.
AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements
Regular and reliable job attendance Effective verbal and written communication skills Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise
Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA)

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as telecommuting workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work and telecommuting can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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