The Pert Group > Contact > Careers Overview

We are continuously looking for qualified research professionals.

If you are interested in joining our dynamic team and would like to have your confidential resume on file with us for any future openings, you may submit it electronically at careers@thepertgroup.com.

About the Positions

We offer a competitive compensation package (base salary + annual bonus) in addition to health, dental, life, 401(k) & tuition reimbursement.

We currently have the following exciting opportunities available in our Farmington, CT, Kansas City, MO, Pittsburgh, PA and Miami, FL office locations:

Inside Sales Specialist (Farmington, CT)

Position Expectations:

Primary responsibility is lead generation and development utilizing professional communication, research and sales skills to perform teleprospecting activities aimed at qualifying new opportunities.
Contacts targeted companies (over the phone and via email) to uncover business needs and initiatives in an effort to initiate and nurture new opportunities.
Responsible for identifying and validating key decision makers (primarily Director, VP and C-Level roles) in target industry sectors.
Meticulous entry of all new leads, relevant information and opportunity details into CRM database (Salesforce.com).
Evaluates the potential of a new opportunity by introducing key decision makers to The Pert Group’s products and services, educating them on the overall value proposition and making a determination as to whether they would be a good fit for internal Client Service staff to pursue.
Qualifies the value of a lead based on available project budget and/or overall organizational spend on market research and related insight initiatives.
Works in conjunction with our Marketing efforts as it relates to specific advertising and direct response campaigns designed to generate and warm new sales leads.
Assists with the formal proposal development process for new clients and actively participates in client service meetings related to new client initiatives.
Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree with 1-2 years of related phone marketing / sales experience.
Prior sales experience in a research based environment highly desirable but not required
Experience with Salesforce.com preferred
Outstanding communication skills (both written and verbal)
Excellent active listening skills
Ability to navigate corporate structures to identify key decision makers
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective rapport with both internal and external clients.
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to coordinate and manage schedule expectations to ensure timelines are consistently met and that work is prioritized accordingly.
Ability to be assertive and persuasive without being aggressive
Quick learner with the ability to think / react quickly
A self-starter with a proven ability to identify problems and determine the appropriate path to resolution.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Some travel required.

Qualitative Research Director
(Farmington, CT or Kansas City, MO)

Position Expectations:

Highly visible role working closely with Strategy Senior Leadership and Client Services to manage the development and execution of successful and profitable qualitative research projects, including project management and content delivery.
Responsible for effectively growing the qualitative services area by developing and executing annual plans based on targeted projections, that translate to organic and/or new business opportunities.
Work as a key member of the account team in relation to research design, pricing and information needed to initiate a project.
Manage full project life cycle while monitoring project timeline, quality, and profitability; Ensure events deliver project P&L targets, utilizing approaches that deliver effective results with efficiency.
Moderate high-level and complex initiatives / projects across a variety of methods, sectors.
Client point of contact, focused on meeting clients needs and working to build client relationships along with industry knowledge expertise.
Responsible for “knowing your client” through individual discovery to uncover relevant market information while maintaining a consistent focus on brand strategy and core values.
Consistently keeps abreast of industry trends to include the identification of new and emerging technologies for qualitative services as well as introducing new moderating / creative thinking exercises.
Responsible for leading the development of online qualitative research and ethnography efforts in order to ensure that we are effectively positioned for growth.
Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or required.

Team Management Expectations:

Responsible for scheduling all team projects to ensure equitable distribution of work among team members.
Initiate the team’s efforts in the most effective use of analytic processes and research methodologies to address client business issues.
Provide guidance as it relates to designing quality proposals (identifying the right approach); able to challenge clients’ thinking and demonstrate real added value and insight.
Cross-train and provide mentoring and skill refinement to grow resources within the organization.
Responsible for assessing staffing needs as well as assisting in the selection process for new staff: involved in annual staff planning process; actively participates in the interviewing process.
Responsible for conducting regular meetings with staff to: review YTD results vs. projections; review utilization of staff to ensure overall effectiveness and identify additional resource needs; ensure team collaboration and sharing of information; ensure a consistent focus on brand strategy and core values; ensure that internal processes are consistently being followed.
Responsible for staff development, training & coaching: complete and conduct annual performance reviews with direct reports in addition to regular "check-ins" with all team members; develop and manage performance plans for those team members falling below expectation; act as coach to continuously increase the team's understanding of The Pert Group capabilities; develop and execute formal plans to share industry expertise and increase industry knowledge among all team members; consistently seek ways to expose team members to new areas of responsibility; actively review staff proposals, questionnaires and reports and offer ongoing guidance and direction to increase staff capabilities.

Position Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) with 10-12 years of demonstrated industry expertise in addition to 3-5 years of progressive people management / supervisory experience.
RIVA, Burke certification preferred but not required.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective working relationships with both internal and external clients.
Evidence of thought leadership – strong track record in industry presentations or written publications.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to coordinate and manage various people/projects to ensure timelines are consistently met and that work is prioritized accordingly.
Progressive team management capability to include developing cohesive teams and providing necessary leadership to ensure success.
Industry expertise with demonstrated success in mentoring, coaching and developing others.
Proven problem solving identification and resolution capability.
Executive presence, emotional stability and the ability to command respect.
Persistence and willingness to take calculated risks and the ability to stimulate ideas.
Advanced analytical, oral and written communication skills, with experience writing research reports and conducting presentations at the client level.
Proven ability to work directly with clients in order to effectively maintain and grow existing relationships.
Demonstrated success in all aspects of the project process, including proposal development questionnaire design, data analysis, report writing and formal presentation at the client level.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Consistent travel expectation (50%).

Account Manager (Farmington, CT)

Client Growth Expectations:

In conjunction with the Group Director, gains progressive exposure to the cross-sell & up-sell process: participates in opportunity discussions; no direct sales or growth expectations; indirectly acts in the capacity of the client expert as it relates to growth discussions; develops a progressive understanding of where strategic services can be leveraged; maintain a consistent focus on brand strategy & core values; full utilization of the SalesForce.com tool; gains exposure to the formal proposal development process.

Client Management Responsibilities/Expectations:

Responsible for managing specifically assigned client volume to ensure that business is maintained and continues to be profitable: expected to be the key contact for specifically assigned client(s); responsible for ensuring that project quality & timelines are consistently met; may or may not be involved in face-to-face discussions with assigned client(s).
Responsible for ensuring that Market Analytics, Strategic Resource Group & Practice Area Experts are actively involved in “pre”-client discussions related to opportunities.
Responsible for “knowing your client” through: individual discovery to uncover relevant market information; interaction with the Director of Knowledge Management.

Work Product Expectations:

Consistently ensure that client / project specs are well thought out and provide information that will lead to quality results.
Responsible for completing bids in MRWF.
Responsible for designing questionnaires & fielding studies.
Responsible for analysis / report writing (intermediate to advanced level of complexity).
Actively participates in conducting presentations at the client level to include key findings and recommendations.
Trains new team members.
Will be expected to complete work product on any account within vertical as well as accounts in other verticals.
Other duties and responsibilities as may be required.

Position Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) with 3-5 years of related experience.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective working relationships with both internal and external clients.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to coordinate and manage various people/projects to ensure timelines are consistently met and that work is prioritized accordingly.
Proven problem solving identification and resolution capability.
Persistence and willingness to take calculated risks and the ability to stimulate ideas.
Demonstrated analytical, oral and written communication skills, with experience writing research reports and conducting presentations at the client level.
Proven ability to work directly with clients in order to effectively maintain and grow existing relationships.
Proven ability to work directly with clients in order to effectively maintain and grow existing relationships.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.