Research Manager

Join the team redefining sports and entertainment marketing. 

MKTG is dentsu’s specialist brand in sports and entertainment. We harness the power of sports, entertainment, culture and community to help brands and rights holders move at the speed of fans through meaningful marketing solutions and experiences. 

This helps ensure our clients aren’t left behind, swiped past or easily forgotten. Because we know fans better than they know themselves. 

We’re now inviting applications for a Research Manager to join our team in Melbourne to support a period a growth across new high-profile clients and recent new business wins. This role is central to building out our research capability and delivering actionable insights that shape the future of sports and entertainment marketing. 

The Role 

The role sits within the Integrated Marketing function, responsible for understanding fans, assessing value and measuring impact. 

As Research Manager, you’ll be a technical expert in our growing team. You’ll lead the delivery of research projects, including recently won large-scale accounts and help build a scalable research pillar that supports both local and global client growth. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Manage the day the day running of ongoing research and reporting projects – including questionnaire design, fieldwork management, analysis, and reporting. 

• Deliver insights that inform strategy, brand growth, and audience engagement. 

• Support RFPs and solution design across projects with the identification of appropriate research methodologies that address a clients' needs. 

• Work across multiple data sources (quantitative, qualitative, syndicated) to generate actionable recommendations. 

• Manage relationships and project delivery with third-party quantitative and qualitative data sources to address research questions and leverage outcomes. 

• Interpret data (client supplied, internal, and third-party) and prepare research reports that communicate actionable, high quality research findings to internal and external stakeholders.  

• Contribute to the development of MKTG’s global sports and analytics toolkit and revenue-generating products. 

• Contribute to the enhancement of product solutions and frameworks that effectively integrate research and insights into our broader company offering. 

• Create training modules and materials that help train internal staff and/or other departments. 

• Foster meaningful relationships with external suppliers and internal stakeholders 

About You 

• 5+ years in quantitative research, ideally within sports, entertainment, or media 

• Strong technical capability in research design, analysis, and reporting 

• Proficient in Q and familiar with tools like SPSS and survey platforms 

• Experience with syndicated data and secondary sources 

• Passion for sport and entertainment, with a collaborative and down-to-earth approach 

• Comfortable being the subject matter expert and building out a new capability 

• Adaptability and interest in embracing emerging trends, technologies, and  methodologies that keep the research function innovative and competitive 

• Backgrounds from agencies like Kantar or Nielsen are welcome—especially if you’ve been hands-on with design and analysis 

What’s in It for You 

• Flexible working with our ‘Be the Best You’ policy, including a $250 home office contribution 

• 5 weeks annual leave after 2 years, plus 3 company-wide wellness days 

• Volunteer leave and One Day for Change to give back to the community 

• Access to dentsu University and global career development opportunities 

• Opportunity to shape a growing research function  

Be a Champion for Meaningful Progress 

At dentsu, we celebrate diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Join a global network where opportunities are limitless—and where your passion for sport and entertainment can shape the future of brand experiences. 

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