Market Research & Insights Lead

Market Research & Insights Lead THE ROLE This is a high-impact individual contributor role sitting at the intersection of data, brand, and the automotive industry. You'll own Carwow's market intelligence function, building the research capability, frameworks, and external voice that keep the business sharp about where consumers, competitors, and the automotive industry are heading. Reporting directly to the Brand & Customer Director, you'll work closely with Marketing, Product, and Commercial teams, and serve as the company's go-to expert on automotive consumer trends and customer behaviour. WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS Research & Insight - Own Carwow's primary and secondary research agenda, from brand tracking and consumer sentiment to category trends and competitive intelligence. - Develop and maintain a deep understanding of our customers (both consumers and partners), their behaviors, motivations, and needs, and use these insights to improve our experience with the product. Acting as the voice of our customer - Commission and manage external research suppliers, including YouGov, GfK, and specialist automotive panels, ensuring quality, rigour, and value. - Design and run bespoke quantitative and qualitative research projects to answer strategic business questions including; surveys, interviews, focus groups, usability testing, and other appropriate methodologies to address research questions. - Synthesise internal data (marketplace signals, user behaviour, transactional trends) with external research into coherent, actionable narratives. Industry Voice & External Profile - Position Carwow as the automotive industry's most trusted source of consumer insight — through press, trade media, conferences, and partnerships. - Draft and publish regular insight reports, data releases, and thought leadership pieces for external audiences. - Build relationships with automotive journalists, industry analysts, and trade bodies to maximise reach and credibility of Carwow's data. - Act as an on-the-record spokesperson for Carwow insight where appropriate. Stakeholder & Strategic Influence - Serve as the internal expert on consumer and market dynamics — regularly briefing senior leadership, Commercial, and Product teams. - Partner with the Brand team to ground campaigns and messaging in real consumer understanding. - Influence product and commercial strategy with market-sizing, opportunity analysis, and customer segmentation work. - Build a small, scalable research function over time, including processes, tooling, and potential future hires. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR Experience - 8+ years in market research, consumer insights, or a closely related field — ideally with exposure to both agency and in-house environments. - Demonstrable experience translating complex data into clear, compelling narratives for non-research audiences. - Track record of building or owning a brand tracking programme. - Experience commissioning and managing external research suppliers. - Familiarity with the UK automotive industry is a strong plus — though a keen sense of curiosity about it is non-negotiable. Skills & Attributes - Strong analytical mind. You're comfortable with data and know how to interrogate it, not just report it. - Excellent communicator, able to write an insight report, present at events or deliver an exec briefing - Commercially minded, connecting research to business outcomes, not just academic interest. - Proactive and autonomous - you spot gaps, propose solutions, and drive things forward without waiting to be asked. - Credible external presence, you’ll be comfortable representing Carwow at industry events and in media. - Collaborative able to influence without authority and work well across Marketing, Product, and Commercial. WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE - Senior leadership has a clear, regular view of consumer trends and competitive dynamics in the automotive market. - Carwow's brand tracker is robust, up to date, and actively used in brand strategy de…