Country

Job Family

For over 80 years, GfK has been a reliable and trusted insight partner for the world’s biggest companies and leading brands who make a difference in every consumer’s life - and we will continue to build on this. We connect data, science and innovative digital research solutions to provide answers for key business questions around consumers, markets, brands and media. With our headquarters in Germany and a presence in around 60 countries worldwide, you benefit from our global company with a diverse community of ~9,000 employees.

Harnessing the power of our workforce, the greatest asset we have is our people. As part of GfK, you can take your future into your own hands. We value talent, skills and responsibility and support your development within our international teams. We are proud of our heritage and our future: Currently we are in the latter stages of a transformational journey from a traditional market research company to a trusted provider of prescriptive data analytics powered by innovative technology. This is only possible with extraordinary people and this is why we are looking for YOU to help create our future. For our employees as well as for our clients we pursue one goal: Growth from Knowledge!

Job Description

GfK’s Project Management team is responsible for the overall delivery and execution of all research projects. The team is also referred to as GPS (Global Project Services) and this reflects the global initiative to provide a network of dedicated Project Management teams. As part of the GfK UK Operations division, the team works closely with Researchers, external clients and colleagues within Operations to ensure proper and accurate delivery of all projects.

As project managers we are responsible for making the project happen; from proposal input through to data and client deliverables, this includes ensuring the correct methods are used for the research and the correct resource is available to successfully implement and deliver the requirements on time, on budget and to the highest quality standards. The team is also responsible for defining best practice and making improvements to our Project Management processes, tools and resources. 

Whilst separate to our Bidding team, the Project Management team will investigate new options and solutions that are open to us and provide additional support to the Bidding team when required. This is project management in its broadest sense providing valuable input to all stages of the research process.                                         

A Project Manager will be responsible for managing small-medium scale International or UK only projects of average complexity with minimal support. They are most likely to support and form part of the project team for our larger and technically advanced projects. This role is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract to provide cover for maternity leave.

Additionally the position will need to:

• Work with senior team members to support relationships with the Industry and Solutions teams and, where required, external clients
• Be actively aware of the financial performance of the projects they are responsible for
• Take a supporting role in Project Management strategic initiatives aimed at developing the services UK Operations offer the Industry/Research teams.

Bidding

• Support the Bidding team by providing practical bidding support and guidance and recommendations based on experience

Project Delivery

• Prepare and run initial internal project briefings
• Manage small/medium projects and support on medium/large scale projects professionally and with attention to budget, timing, and quality
• Act as the main point of contact for all communication between relevant Operations teams and main Research/Solutions contact
• Provide final review and Operations sign-off of fieldwork material
• Provide final review and Operations sign-off of survey scripts
• Liaise with 3rd party sample providers for project set-up, briefings and re-costing
• Provide end-client focused tasks to ensure timely delivery and project quality
• Adhere to global and local standard procedures/processes
• Instruct and liaise with Global Support Centres and/or GPS Romania on projects

People

• Offer support to junior team members
• Set goals, provide direction and guidance to coaches/ junior team members
• Actively deliver training or define processes to aid integration
• Develop own skills on the job across methodologies, industries and specialisms

Finance

• Ensure that financial metrics are entered into the system on a regular basis (e.g. supplier invoices and hours on the job)
• Ensure projects are booked correctly and in a timely manner and that any revised pricing is negotiated at an early stage and the project re-booked
• Ensure project finances are monitored regularly for all Ops teams. Raise any issues / out of scope work with the lead PM at the earliest opportunity therefore allowing any potential overruns to be anticipated and addressed

Strategy

• Adhere to the strategy for UK Operations. Understand the necessary processes and ensure they are implemented on projects

• Bidding and Procurement colleagues
• Day-to-day relationship with the RSS team/GPS Romania team
• Other operational colleagues (i.e. Programming, Fieldwork Management, Data Processing) to ensure successful project delivery
• Project Management leadership team on sharing resource and best practice

• Ability to create develop solid working relationships with international contacts
• Demonstrate good understanding of implementing various research methodologies (CAWI, CATI, PAPI)
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Solid understanding of project management
• Solid grasp of cultural differences in fieldwork approaches by market
• Client focused attitude – ability to develop strong relationships with the industry and Solutions teams, and external clients as required
• Well-developed decision making and priority setting skills
• Team-player - ability to work productively with colleagues across all teams

We offer an exciting work environment that brings people together. We encourage an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. We make use of the latest digital technologies. We are looking for self-starters, who accept challenges and create solutions.

Can there be a better place to take center stage in the digital revolution? We are excited to getting to know you!