The Full View of the Consumer

Market Research
1923

AI Summary

The Director, SA&I Business Partner role at NielsenIQ is a commission-based sales position responsible for overseeing the end-to-end sales process for the Strategic Analytics & Insights portfolio across expanded verticals. The role involves creating portfolio-level strategies for client retention and growth, managing sales pipelines, and driving revenue targets. Key responsibilities include prospecting, value creation, deal conversion, and collaborating with C-level executives. The ideal candidate has 7-10 years of direct sales and market research experience, particularly in business services, packaging, media, or sales agencies. This is a remote position based in the US.

Job Complexity

Easy Hard

AI Insight This role requires a high level of expertise in sales and market research, with a focus on expanded verticals, making it challenging. The need to manage complex sales processes and collaborate with C-suite executives adds to the difficulty.

Salary Analysis

AI Insight The offered salary range of $117,500 to $136,000 is competitive for a Director-level sales role in market research. The median salary of $126,750 is slightly above the market midpoint for similar roles, indicating a strong compensation package.

Key Skills

Sales Market Research Business Development Client Relationship Management Strategic Planning Pipeline Management C-Suite Selling Revenue Growth CRM Thought Leadership

Cover Letter Sample

I am excited to apply for the Director, SA&I Business Partner position at NielsenIQ. With over 8 years of direct sales experience in market research, specifically within expanded verticals such as business services and media, I have a proven track record of driving revenue growth and building strong client relationships.

In my previous role, I successfully managed end-to-end sales processes, developed annual client strategies, and consistently exceeded revenue targets. My ability to articulate complex value propositions and collaborate with C-level executives aligns perfectly with the requirements of this role.

I am particularly drawn to NielsenIQ's commitment to innovation and data-driven insights, and I am eager to contribute to the growth of the SA&I portfolio. I am confident that my entrepreneurial mindset and strategic prospecting skills will enable me to deliver exceptional results.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience can benefit NielsenIQ.

Possible Interview Questions

Can you describe your experience selling market research solutions to expanded verticals like business services and media?

I have over 7 years of experience selling market research solutions to clients in business services and media. In my previous role, I developed tailored strategies for these verticals, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue. I focused on understanding their unique KPIs and aligning our offerings to address their specific challenges.

How do you approach creating an annual client strategy for a strategic account?

I start by thoroughly understanding the client's business goals, market position, and pain points. Then, I collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop a holistic plan that includes financial forecasting, pipeline management, and key milestones. I ensure the strategy is aligned with the client's long-term objectives and regularly review performance to make adjustments.

Describe a time you overcame significant objection from a client to close a deal.

A prospective client was resistant due to budget constraints. I arranged a meeting to demonstrate how our solution would save them costs in the long run by improving efficiency. By providing a clear ROI analysis and offering a phased implementation, I was able to address their concerns and close the deal.

How do you manage a sales pipeline to ensure consistent attainment of quotas?

I use CRM tools to track all opportunities and regularly review pipeline stages. I prioritize high-value deals and focus on moving them through the funnel by setting clear action items and follow-ups. I also maintain a healthy mix of prospecting and nurturing activities to ensure a steady flow of new opportunities.

Can you give an example of how you've collaborated with an Account Lead to drive joint-selling?

In my last role, I partnered with an Account Lead to upsell our analytics solutions to an existing client. We conducted a joint discovery session to identify unmet needs, then co-presented a customized proposal. This collaboration resulted in a $500K expansion of the account.

Company Description

R25_0030637

*US role–Must be in US at time off application to be considered.
**This is a commission-based selling role that offers a base compensation in addition to a sales-based incentive tied to annual revenue generation vs. target.

#LI-Remote

Job Description

This role is accountable for overseeing a segment of NielsenIQ North America Strategic Analytics & Insights (SA&I) end-to-end sales process across our entire SA&I portfolio which includes Consumer Behavior & Insights, Innovation, Brand & Media, and Analytics & Activation solutions. This entails creating a portfolio level strategy that focuses on retention and growth across the a common set of clients and executing through other critical sales processes including prospecting, value creation, user persona penetration and deal conversion. The Director, SA&I Business Partner, is also accountable for driving an active sales pipeline with consistent management to OP attainment.

Responsibilities

Own overall SA&I revenue target/quota for given portfolio
Take the initiative to identify and capitalize on new sales opportunities
Clearly and convincingly articulate SA&I offerings and value proposition, matching them with relevant client business challenges/KPIs
Strong ability to overcome objection handling and navigating resistance from both current and prospective clients
Have a deep understanding of client business strategy with the ability to effectively communicate to cross-functional partners, and be a catalyst for action and sales conversion
Create and activate holistic annual client strategies and account plans for strategic clients (including financial forecasting, pipeline management, broader NIQ/Account Lead collaboration)
Thoroughly understand client, market and competitor dynamics funneling strengths and opportunities to senior leadership
Identify incremental SA&I business growth opportunities, including additional revenue streams for deeper/more consultative engagement
Represent all SA&I services and practice areas in a solution-agnostic manner with a keen focus on total portfolio across your assigned client base
Own SA&I response for the following:
- First time service use and/or large/complicated study designs
- Cross-specialty area proposals
- RFP’s
Lead T2T client meetings, with goal of penetrating C-Suite portfolio wide
Drive sales strategy at your portfolio including awareness generation and ongoing engagement leveraging CRM tools, thought leadership, and other activities
Personally deliver thought leadership
Maintain product/technical knowledge by participating in learning workshops/sessions
Ability to drive sales maintaining a long-term perspective to maximize overall revenue generation while being able to generate short term results
Partner closely with NIQ Account Lead and Practice Area teams on strategy, joint-selling, and potential RMS RFP responses, where applicable
Effectively manage SA&I or NIQ client funds and ensure their timely usage for SA&I products

Qualifications

7-10 years of direct sales experience developing new business and revenue streams
7-10 years of market research experience dedicated to selling to expanded verticals Business Services (Financial + A/O), PPG (Packaging, Government, Non-Profit), Media/Media Agencies, Sales Agencies (Brokers, Ingredients, etc.)
Entrepreneurial mindset, creative thinking, and a passion for building strong relationships and finding mutually beneficial outcomes
Experienced in collaborating with and selling to C-level executives
Strong strategic prospecting and new business development skills
Strong oral and written communication skills–able to communicate information with clarity and precision across all levels of the organization
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
Operate independently with a strong entrepreneurial and growth mindset, while also excelling in collaborative team environments
Strong analytical aptitude
Proven experience at successfully meeting high sales revenue targets

US Benefits:

Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental and vision)
Flexible spending accounts and Health Savings Accounts (including company contributions)
Life and AD&D insurance
401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions
Disability insurance
Tuition Reimbursement

Additional Information

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $117,500.00 – $136,000.00. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role will also be eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support and more.

Our Benefits

Flexible working environment
Volunteer time off
LinkedIn Learning
Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai-safety-policies.

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion

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