Managing Director, Insights and Analytics (Chicago)

At Real Chemistry, making the world a healthier place isn’t just an aspiration—it’s our everyday reality. Our drive to transform healthcare is informed by our blend of deep scientific expertise, human-centred creativity, and AI-driven insights, fostering a unique environment where innovation thrives and our people are impact-obsessed. As a global agency, we provide a full suite of services across healthcare communications and marketing to our clients, including top players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.Our #LifeatRealChem culture is rooted in our people—we believe we are best together and are committed to excellence for both our clients and colleagues. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, if you share our passion for healthcare and connection, we invite you to explore our opportunities.Discover your purpose. Embrace innovation. Experience #LifeatRealChem.We are seeking a Managing Director, Analytics & Insights to lead strategic analytics, research, and insight generation for a portfolio of major healthcare communications clients. This leader will oversee a multi-million-dollar portfolio of client engagements and lead teams delivering advanced analytics, research, and measurement programs that inform audience, influencer, channel, and messaging strategies across integrated communications programs. This is a hybrid role, based in any of our US offices—including Boston, Chicago, Carmel, Lambertville, or Wilmington—or remotely within the US, depending on team and business needs.  What You’ll Do :Business Ownership & Client Growth StrategyPartner closely with senior communications strategists, digital and social teams, media specialists, and client leadership to ensure insights are embedded directly into program strategy. The role combines business leadership, strategic advisory, and team leadership to scale the impact of analytics across client programs and Real chemistry analytics growth. This leader will play a critical part in driving innovation within the practice by identifying emerging client needs and evolving how insights are delivered in an increasingly AI-driven communications landscape. Own and grow a $3M+ portfolio of analytics and insights engagements across multiple clients. Partner with senior client leads to identify opportunities where insights and research can drive greater strategic impact. Serve as a trusted advisor to client leadership teams on analytics strategy, measurement frameworks, and insight development. Expand the role of analytics within client programs to drive measurable value and long-term partnerships. Support new business opportunities through pitches, RFP responses, and capability presentations.  Lead, Inspire, and Develop Your TeamMotivate and galvanize a team of next-generation researchers, foster curiosity, innovation, and excellence.  Mentor and in some cases directly manage Directors, Senior Managers, and Analysts through structured development and coaching.  Manage staffing, capacity planning, work allocation, and career progression.  Build a culture centered on excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.  Shape Integrated, Multi-Modal Insight ProgramsOversee the strategic design of research and analytics initiatives spanning digital and social analytics, communications measurement, influencer intelligence, and primary market research Ensure insights are synthesized into clear strategic narratives that guide communications programs Guide teams in connecting analytics outputs to real-world communications, reputation, and business outcomes Champion the use of AI tools to improve efficiency, analytical depth, and output quality.  Manage Financial & Operational PerformanceLead budgets, forecasting, profitability, and staffing across a large portfolio.  Partner with finance and account teams on pricing, renewals, and quarterly planning.  Drive operational efficiencies, optimize delivery models, and identify opportunities to improve margins without sacrificing quality.  Refine operating structures, processes, and resource plans to support scalability and growth.  Drive Thought Leadership & InnovationHelp position the agency at the forefront of data-driven communications by translating innovation into practical, client-facing solutions Develop case studies, frameworks, and thought leadership that elevate the Analytics practice’s visibility and impact.  Partner with leadership, innovation, and data engineering/technology teams to develop new research modalities and tools that enhance speed, depth, and sophistication of insights.  Integrate AI tools into workflows to accelerate insight development, streamline analysis, and enhance strategic outputs.  Champion frameworks and repeatable products that deliver efficiency and scalability across brands.   This role is a perfect fit for you if:RC’s values — Best Together, Impact-Obsessed, Excellence Expected, Evolve Always, Accountability with an “I” — truly resonate.  You thrive in a fast-moving, evolving environment and adapt quickly as priorities shift.  You’re proactive, resourceful, and passionate about uncovering insights that drive action.  You enjoy motivating teams and creating environments where people can do their best work.  You are curious about new tools, especially AI, and excited to integrate them into your work.  What You Should Have:12+ years of experience in analytics, research, or insights within communications, consulting, or agency environments. Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to quickly establish trust with senior client stakeholders and internal partners Track record of leading high revenue accounts, complex portfolios in healthcare, within large multi-capability agencies.  Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate insights and recommendations clearly and persuasively to senior audiences Significant experience advising senior clients in healthcare, life sciences, or highly regulated industries. Deep expertise with social listening and earned media analysis tools, taxonomies, audience segmentation, and measurement methodologies (i.e, Quid, BrandWatch, Meltwater, StatSocial, Audiense, Pathmatics)  Strong understanding of digital behaviors and motivations of patients, caregivers, and HCPs and strategies to reach them through an omnichannel model.  Exceptional communication, data storytelling, and client-facing consulting skills.  Demonstrated experience developing and scaling high-performing teams.  Strong operational and financial management capabilities.  Comfort using AI tools to enhance insight development, efficiency, and analysis.  Pay Range: $215,000-$225,000This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, skills, certifications, and geographical location. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Real Chemistry is proud to be Great Place to Work certified; check out what our people shared about our culture and workplace on our Great Places to Work Profile here.We believe we can do our best when feeling our best, which is why we’ve put together a benefits program designed to give you the support you and your family need at every stage of life. Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefit program and perks, tailored to your region. Globally, this includes offices in our key markets with free snacks to keep you running all day long, generous holiday and paid time off, options for private medical, dental, and vison plans, and support in saving for the future. Other perks include mental wellness coaching and support and access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning. Learn more about our great benefits and perks and search specific offerings in your region at: .At Real Chemistry, we believe we're at our best when we're connected. Our Real Hybrid and Regional Teams (Real HART) approach is designed to foster collaboration, learning, innovation, and meaningful relationships while providing flexibility where appropriate. Because our workforce spans multiple countries, regions, and client needs, work arrangements may vary by role and location. Some positions offer hybrid or remote flexibility, while others require regular in-office presence. For example, certain teams and regions, including some of our UK operations, have office-based requirements. Your recruiter will discuss the specific expectations for the role you're pursuing during the interview process and keep you informed throughout the hiring journey. For employees located within a one-hour commute of a Real Chemistry office, we require in-person attendance two days per week, either from a Real Chemistry office or when working onsite with clients. Employees in regions without a nearby office may work remotely and come together throughout the year for collaboration, culture-building, learning, and team connection opportunities. While these guidelines reflect our current workplace model, we understand that everyone’s circumstances are unique. If you require additional flexibility, we welcome an open conversation with your recruiter and our HR team to discuss your needs and determine what may be possible.Real Chemistry is an Equal Opportunity employer. We continually strive to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees feel empowered to leverage all they bring from their personal lived experience and professional expertise, to make our team the best in the industry. We encourage motivated and qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information