Director of Research

About the Position

NGF is seeking a strategic, self-motivated professional to help drive our private research and consulting practice. The ideal candidate will be a problem-solver who can translate business questions into research approaches, and then ultimately transform findings into compelling stories that guide client strategy.

While research expertise is important, we're equally interested in candidates with non-traditional market research or consulting backgrounds who can demonstrate strong analytical capabilities and a track record of delivering value through insights. There must be at least an understanding of consumer and business research methodologies, from segmentation studies to qualitative exploration.

The ideal candidate will bring genuine enthusiasm for golf's business ecosystem and commercial landscape – someone who naturally stays current with trends, understands market dynamics and recognizes the industry's unique challenges and opportunities. You don't need to be a skilled or avid golfer, but you should be the type of person who follows golf news because you're passionate about the game.

Above all, we're looking for someone who comes in hungry each day to make an impact, proactively seeking opportunities to drive value for our organization and clients.

Please note that this is an on-site position based in Jupiter, FL, and that remote work arrangements will not be considered.

As Director of Research, Client Insights & Strategy, you'll be expected to:

Work both independently and collaboratively to manage and execute a portfolio of insights assignments that range in scope, approach and complexity

• Take a leading role in conceptualizing, designing and communicating research initiatives
• Nurture existing client relationships through proactive communication and exceptional service
• Help develop new strategic and consultative client relationships by positioning yourself, and our team, as a valuable resource and thought leader in the field
• Proactively explore new and improved techniques that elevate our work and improve efficiency
• Contribute to the broader organization by establishing what "best in class" looks like when it comes to research, insights generation and storytelling

What Sets Successful Candidates Apart

Professional qualities:

• Takes initiative to identify and pursue growth opportunities without prompting or detailed direction – this is absolutely essential to success in this role
• Resourcefully tackles assignments, sometimes as a project owner from "soup to nuts"
• Expertise in various consumer and business research methodologies that expand your analytical toolkit
• Project leadership – confidently drives projects and influences stakeholders
• Thought leadership – shows genuine intellectual curiosity and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking
• Business acumen – sees big picture, can de-construct categories and companies and thinks strategically about commercial implications
• Creates compelling narratives and well-designed outputs that simplify complex concepts
• While not necessarily a designer, understands the power of visually-compelling deliverables and knows how to achieve polish, through attention to detail, direct skills and/or smart resource utilization
• Has strong business development instincts – identifies opportunities, crafts winning proposals, and knows how to sell both ideas and solutions to prospective clients

Foundational requirements:

• 5+ years of project ownership experience in roles requiring deep analytical and strategic business thinking, including: o Market research

o Business analytics

o Business strategy/consulting

o Corporate strategy

o Financial/investment analysis

• Strong communication skills, including experience presenting to senior executives
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience with various quantitative and qualitative research methodologies is a plus
• Experience with data analysis tools is a plus
• Experience with visualization and dashboard tools is a plus
• Must be authorized to work in the United States

To Apply

To apply, submit your resume and a cover note outlining your qualifications for this position to A thoughtful cover letter is required for consideration and should demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and alignment with its requirements. Applications without cover notes will not be considered. Please be sure to include the job title in the subject line of your email.

About the Organization

At its core, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) is trade association that represents the commercial interests of the golf industry. We are committed to empowering our members and clients with unparalleled solutions and insights to drive informed decision-making, and are trusted by the biggest businesses and organizations in golf as the foremost provider of accurate and objective measures of the game's vitality. This position is reflected by the breadth and stature of our Board of Directors, as well as our network of members and connections that spans the entire industry. Golf businesses from every sector rely on NGF data and research to enhance their business context and deliver winning strategies.

But NGF is more than just a 501(c)(6) trade group. Embedded within the broader organization is a sophisticated, for-profit consultancy that helps individual businesses -- ranging from large industry incumbents to small, early-stage startups -- using custom insights and marketing solutions. From a marketing research perspective, we operate "in the trenches" with many of golf's most powerful and innovative companies. We take this responsibility very seriously, and our work always begins by understanding deeply our client's business environment, context and strategic objective

Visit for a better understanding of the organization.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: In person