(Associate) Director - Inspiring FMCG Brand Growth Melbourne (Hybrid) $AUD 130-140,000 + Super - (posted Feb 18 2026)

Company: Resources Group
Advertisers Ref: JB180226
MrWeb Ref: 162729

Job Spec: Are you a strategic thinker who thrives at the intersection of data, story and commercial impact? We're partnering with a highly regarded, independent consumer insights and brand strategy consultancy to recruit an Associate Director / Director to join their growing Melbourne team.

This is a rare opportunity to take a leadership role within a dynamic, entrepreneurial business with both local and international reach. While the agency operates with a start-up mindset - fast, agile and creative - it also services major global and Australian clients, delivering high-impact insight and strategic direction across brand, product and shopper challenges.


About the Business

• Consumer-centric strategic insights consultancy with deep expertise across FMCG, shopper and retail.
• Working with recognisable clients, including global food brands and major supermarkets.
• A tight-knit, collaborative team of passionate researchers, with offices in Melbourne and the USA.
• Independent, innovative, and culture-forward, where smart thinking and commercial curiosity are prized.
• Methodologically diverse - blending advanced quantitative and qualitative research with analytics, ethnography, shopper insight and cultural intelligence.

The Opportunity

This hire sits within an expanding strategic insights team and will play a key role in driving growth and excellence in delivery. Reporting to the Head of Quant, you will lead and own client engagements, delivering insight that shapes high-level commercial decisions and future strategy.


What You'll Be Doing

Client Leadership & Delivery

• Act as client lead or principal contact on key engagements
• Manage client relationships with commercial confidence
• Lead strategic debriefs (including for US-based stakeholders)
• Translate research output into compelling, actionable commercial narratives.

Insight & Storytelling

• Turn complex data into clear, persuasive insight stories
• Integrate quantitative and qualitative evidence into holistic recommendations
• Guide and inspire junior team members in insight interpretation and narrative development.

Strategic Project Leadership - work across higher-order strategic engagements, including:

• Demand zone sizing & price-pack architecture
• Segmentation and brand strategy
• Commercial growth questions across categories and channels.

Growth & Mentorship

• Support proposal development and new business pursuits
• Contribute to team leadership and knowledge sharing
• Informally mentor and coach junior researchers.

Who You Are

Experience & Background

• 5/6+ years of insight, strategy or consulting experience
• Strong consulting or agency background with proven client leadership
• Experience in FMCG / retail/shopper domains is highly regarded
• Exposure to international clients (esp. US) a plus.

Capabilities & Approach

• Excellent storytelling and narrative development skills
• Confident client management and commercial acumen
• Ability to integrate multi-method insight (quant + qual) into strategic recommendations
• Motivated by leadership, mentoring and business growth.

This role leans into strategic storytelling, client leadership and insight integration, with technical quant skills already strong within the team.


Why It's a Great Move

• Work with high-calibre clients on strategic, decision-shaping work
• Diverse project mix - from rapid turnaround briefs to extended strategic engagements
• Flexible work arrangements - including option for 5 weeks' annual leave or a 4-day work week at full pay
• Professional development, conferences, mentoring and ongoing learning culture
• Friendly, purposeful team environment with social connection and autonomy.

If you're ready to step into a leadership role where your insight shapes brand and commercial strategy and you want to be part of a high-performing, supportive team, I'd love to hear from you.


About Resources Group

We are the Leading Global Talent Agency for Insights, Analytics & Data Strategy. Our consultants take the time to truly understand your career aims and are dedicated to providing tailored, impartial advice to find you the very best career move. We have access to an unrivalled and exclusive range of job opportunities with trailblazing agencies and blue-chips across Australia, NZ and APAC.

Resources Group's Diversity and Equality Policy determines that we submit applicants to our clients on the basis of merit and ability, regardless of race, colour, age, disability, family responsibilities, gender, marital status, nationality, religious or political views or affiliations, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

Who to contact: Send your CV to Jennifer Besanvalle at jbesanvalle@resourcesgroup.com

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