Senior / Associate Director - Cultural Sector Insights and Strategy Melbourne, Aus $AUD 130-160,000 + super + bonus - (posted Apr 13 2026)

Company: Resources Group
Advertisers Ref: GL100426
MrWeb Ref: 162861

Job Spec: This team believes in the power of culture as a force for good, with a strong focus on making a positive impact on society.

They partner with major national museums, galleries and cultural institutions to drive audience understanding, shape membership strategies, unlock growth and prove impact. They turn down projects that don't align with their core ethical values and foster a 'step forward' culture that embraces new ideas and initiative.

This is a strategic insights leadership role - leading client consulting across the ANZ market.


The Role

This is not a role purely focused on delivering research.

It's about stepping into the position of audience strategist and trusted advisor - someone who can move beyond research outputs to shape direction, challenge thinking and help clients make confident, future-facing decisions.

You'll lead relationships with some of the region's most influential cultural organisations, guiding them to think differently about their audiences, their growth and their impact.


Key Responsibilities

• Lead senior client relationships, acting as a strategic partner and trusted counsel
• Design and lead sophisticated quantitative research programmes - from bespoke trackers to complex ad hoc studies
• Go beyond the data to synthesise insight, develop a clear point of view and translate findings into direction
• Facilitate workshops and conversations that provoke thinking and influence decision-making at senior levels
• Lead, mentor and elevate two direct reports - building their ability to think more strategically, not just execute research
• Deliver compelling narratives through reports and presentations that land with impact
• Proactively identify opportunities and shape what's next for clients.

What This Role Really Requires

We're looking for someone who can operate comfortably at the intersection of evidence, insight and strategy.

That means:

• You don't stop at 'what the research says' - you define what it means and what should happen next
• You bring clarity, synthesis and a point of view, not just analysis
• You're confident guiding clients through ambiguity and helping them make decisions
• You can elevate thinking - both for clients and within your own team

What We're Looking For

• A primarily quantitative research background, ideally with some exposure to qualitative approaches
• Agency experience strongly preferred
• Strong experience across customised research programmes
• Advanced analytical thinking paired with strategic storytelling and synthesis
• Ability to connect research outputs to commercial, cultural or organisational decisions
• Experience managing or mentoring team members, with a focus on developing strategic capability
• Comfortable operating at a senior level with clients - influencing, challenging and advising
• Experience within arts and culture, membership, experience or loyalty sectors is beneficial, but not essential.

Why This Role Stands Out

This role hits the mark in many ways - a fascinating client base, a strong for-purpose ethos, a global team, supportive senior leadership, and work that genuinely blends deep analytics with strategic impact.

Flexible working arrangements are supported, including home office set-up or access to a co-working space.


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 provide tailored, impartial advice to help you make the right move.

We work with an unrivalled range of trailblazing agencies and blue-chip organisations across Australia, NZ and APAC.

Resources Group's Diversity and Equality Policy ensures all applicants are considered on merit and ability, regardless of background.

Who to contact: Send your CV to Gemma Lewis (Director, APAC) at glewis@resourcesgroup.com or call Gemma on 04524 17265 for a confidential discussion about this role and other related opportunities.

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