Senior Research Project Manager

QUICK OVERVIEW - TL;DR (please read this section to ensure your fit before applying)

Our client is hiring a Senior Market Research Project Manager. This is a career-defining opportunity to join one of the most respected boutique research firms in the building products and home improvement space.

THE WHO:

• Forget everything you think you know about market research firms. Our client has spent 35+ years building something most companies only dream about - they're the undisputed authority in a $500+ billion industry, trusted by so brand names you recognize.
• Lowe's, Home Depot, Sherwin-Williams, Kohler, Pella, Stanley, Toro - when these titans need answers, there's only one firm they trust.
• Here's the kicker: their average employee tenure is 10+ years. In 2026. In a market where people job-hop every 18 months, they've created something so compelling that people build entire careers there.
• That's not luck - that's intentional culture design.

THE WHAT:

• You won't be running basic surveys or creating PowerPoint summaries. You'll be the analytical brain behind decisions that affect millions of consumers and billions in revenue.
• We're talking advanced Conjoint Analysis, sophisticated MaxDiff modeling, complex TURF optimization - the kind of work that separates the pros from the pretenders.
• By year two, you'll personally manage $800,000 worth of research that directly impacts how America improves their homes.

MUST HAVES:

• We need what we call the "Humble Workhorse Analyst" - someone with serious quantitative chops (5+ years minimum) who can execute at the highest level without the ego that usually comes with elite skills.
• You must be fluent in Q Research Software, SPSS, or R, and have hands-on experience with advanced methodologies.
• Most importantly, you need to be someone who gets energized by complex problems, not overwhelmed by them.

THE WHY:

• This isn't just another research job. You'll be working in an industry that's recession-proof, personally relatable, and absolutely fascinating.
• Plus, you're joining at the perfect inflection point - they're scaling, which means massive opportunity for the right person to make their mark.

THE WHERE:

• Denver, CO is the sweet spot (Indianapolis also considered).
• Hybrid setup with real flexibility - not the fake "we're hybrid but expect you here every day" nonsense. These leaders actually trust their people to do great work wherever they're most productive.

THE HOW:

Three career-defining initiatives await you:

• Become an Analytics Authority: Work directly with their VP of Insights (think PhD-level expertise) to master methodologies that most researchers never even see. You'll be implementing techniques that separate this firm from every vanilla competitor in the market.
• Own Client Relationships That Matter: These aren't just accounts - they're partnerships with brands that shape American culture. You'll be the trusted advisor they rely on for insights that drive billion-dollar decisions.
• Scale Into Something Significant: Go from managing $300-400K in research year one to $800K by year two. That's not just volume - that's becoming a revenue-generating powerhouse within a rapidly growing firm.

THE NUTS & BOLTS:

• Base $120K-$125K (up to $135K for the perfect candidate), 6-10% performance bonus, plus the most ridiculous benefits package you'll see in this market: 6.5% total retirement contribution (4% automatic + profit sharing), unlimited PTO that they actually encourage you to use, 50% health coverage, and the kind of work-life balance you deserve.

JOMBINE & OUR CLIENT

We are Jombine – a recruiting partnership that goes far beyond traditional headhunting. We represent our clients as trusted talent advisors, partnering with leadership teams to find candidates who don't just meet the technical requirements, but genuinely align with their unique culture, values, and team dynamics.

Our clients choose us because they know we invest the time to truly understand what makes their organization special – and then we find candidates who will thrive in that specific environment. This isn't about placing bodies in seats; it's about identifying people who will contribute to, and be energized by, the culture our clients have worked so hard to build. When you engage with us, you're talking to representatives who deeply understand our client and are committed to ensuring mutual fit. Learn more at www.jombine.com.

THE COMPANY & TEAM

While other research firms are racing to the bottom with commoditized insights and offshore analysts, our client took a different path. They became the undisputed authority in one of America's most dynamic industries - building products and home improvement.

For 35+ years, they've been the trusted advisor to brands you interact with every weekend at the hardware store. When Lowe's needs to understand contractor behavior, they call our client. When Home Depot wants to predict consumer trends, our client has the data. When Sherwin-Williams launches a new product line, our client designed the research that de-risked the decision.

But here's what separates them from every other firm: they've cracked the code on sustainable success. Ten-plus year average tenure. In an industry where people burn out in 18 months, they've built something so compelling that top talent chooses to build entire careers there.

This isn't some "we're a family" corporate speak. This is a leadership team that makes financial decisions - including this hire - specifically to prevent burnout and protect the culture that attracts A-players. They're growing and scaling revenue while maintaining the standards that got them here.

YOUR DNA

You're not just another data analyst. You're the "Humble Workhorse Analyst" - a rare breed that combines serious intellectual firepower with the emotional intelligence to thrive in a collaborative, client-facing environment.

You're analytically elite. Conjoint Analysis, MaxDiff, TURF, regression modeling, cluster analysis - these aren't buzzwords on your resume, they're tools you wield to solve complex business problems that keep executives awake at night.

You're intellectually humble. When data tells you something unexpected, your first instinct is curiosity, not defensiveness. You ask "why" more than you say "I know." You listen to understand, not to respond. This humility is what transforms technical skill into trusted advisory relationships.

You're a capacity monster. Heavy workloads don't break you - they energize you. You have systems for prioritization, you communicate proactively before problems arise, and you deliver consistent quality even when juggling multiple complex projects. You're the person teammates can depend on, always.

You're relationship-focused without being needy. You understand that responsive communication builds trust, but you don't need constant validation. You can represent the firm flawlessly in client interactions while still knowing when to escalate and when to handle things independently.

You're growth-minded. You don't just want a job - you want to be part of something that's scaling, evolving, and pushing boundaries. You see the

inflection point this company is at and you want to help write the next chapter.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As Senior Market Research Project Manager, you'll be managing quantitative research that directly impacts billion-dollar brands and millions of consumers. This isn't back-office number crunching - this is strategic consulting disguised as research.

What Victory Looks Like:

• Managing $800,000+ in annual research by year two (starting at $300-400K year one)
• Building direct relationships with decision-makers at America's most recognizable home improvement brands
• Mastering analytical methodologies that 90% of your peers have never even attempted
• Contributing to a firm that's scaling rapidly while maintaining culture and quality
• Becoming the go-to expert your teammates consult when they need analytical guidance

The Daily Reality:

• End-to-end project ownership from survey design through client presentation support
• Advanced statistical analysis using Q Research Software, SPSS, and proprietary methodologies
• Direct client communication and relationship management (you're not hidden in a back room)
• Collaboration with a VP of Insights who'll push your analytical capabilities to new levels
• Contributing to operational improvements while maintaining focus on exceptional delivery

Required Ammunition:

• 5+ years of hands-on quantitative research experience (no exceptions)
• Proven expertise with advanced methodologies: Conjoint, MaxDiff, TURF, regression, cluster analysis
• Fluency in Q Research Software, SPSS, or R (this isn't negotiable)
• Track record of managing complex projects and maintaining client relationships
• College degree in mathematics, statistics, research, STEM, or related field

SALARY & BENEFITS

Base salary $120,000-$125,000. Performance bonus 6-10% of base. Total OTE $140,000-$150,000+.

Here's where we think the comp package stands out:

• 6.5% total retirement contribution (4% automatic match + profit sharing) - this alone is worth $8,000-10,000 annually
• Unlimited PTO policy that they actually encourage you to use
• 50% health insurance coverage
• $150 annual wellness benefit
• Complete work-life balance - when leaders invest in preventing burnout, they mean it

WHY NOW

This company is at the perfect inflection point. Established enough to be stable and respected, young enough to offer massive growth opportunity. They're scaling rapidly in an industry that's recession-proof and personally fascinating (everyone has a home, everyone can relate to home improvement).

Most importantly, you're getting in before the growth really accelerates. In two years, when they've hit their $10M goal and expanded to 30+ people, you'll be the senior person who helped build it. That's career-defining opportunity.

The building products and home improvement industry isn't going anywhere. If anything, it's getting more sophisticated, more data-driven, and more dependent on the kind of insights this firm provides. You'll be at the center of an industry transformation, working with brands that shape how America lives.

NEXT STEPS

If you're the analytical powerhouse with collaborative DNA we're seeking, this conversation needs to happen. Great opportunities like this don't wait around for perfect timing - they go to people who recognize them and act decisively.

We encourage you to apply and give us the opportunity to show you exactly why this role could be the best career decision you make.

We encourage you to apply and give us the opportunity to learn more about you and your career goals - whether for this role or others in our network.