Senior Director, Research & Insights

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

Kargo creates powerful moments of connection between brands and consumers to build businesses. Every day, our 600+ employees work to radically raise the bar on what agentic AI, CTV, eCommerce, social, and mobile can do to deliver unique ad experiences across the world's most premium platforms. Taking a creative science approach to all we do, we continuously innovate solutions that outperform industry benchmarks and client expectations. Now 20+ years strong, Kargo has offices in NYC, Chicago, LA, Dallas, Sydney, Auckland, London and Waterford, Ireland.

Who We Hire

Techies who want to build the future. Creatives who want to design it better. Communicators to win business. Collaborators to build it. Data pros who turn numbers into insights. Product builders who turn ideas into innovations. Anyone eager to be on a team that doesn't stop to ask what's next, because they're already building it.

Mission

The Senior Director, Research & Insights exists to convert research and measurement into a commercial engine — proving campaign and platform effectiveness in ways that grow revenue, deepen client partnerships, and sharpen Kargo's positioning across CTV, mobile, video, and cross-channel media. This role owns the vision, operating model, and output of a market-facing insights function, and serves as a strategic external voice for Kargo with agencies, brands, and measurement partners.

Outcomes — What Success Looks Like in 6–12 Months

• A high-performing team in place: Lead, level up, and retain a research & insights team of 6+, with a clear operating model and defined priorities that the function delivers against consistently.
• A measurement strategy that proves value: Own and ship custom and syndicated studies demonstrating ad effectiveness and platform outcomes across digital and CTV, adopted by Sales as standard proof points in client conversations.
• Insights tied to revenue: Equip GTM teams with insight-led narratives that measurably contribute to pipeline growth and influence advertiser investment decisions.
• A visible market presence: Establish Kargo as a data-backed point of view in market through thought leadership across events, panels, case studies, and executive communications.
• Research embedded in product and GTM: Deliver market intelligence and customer insights that demonstrably shape product positioning, measurement strategy, and go-to-market priorities.

Skills — Core Technical Capabilities

Required

• Deep expertise in ad effectiveness, media measurement, attribution, and ROI analysis across digital and CTV.
• Strong command of the adtech ecosystem, including programmatic, premium publishers, mobile, and video.
• Hands-on experience with leading measurement and research partners (e.g., Nielsen, Comscore, Kantar, Dynata, Adelaide, Upwave, DoubleVerify, IAS).
• Proven track record building and leading high-performing teams and standing up organizational functions.
• Commercial acumen connecting insights and measurement directly to revenue, product adoption, and client outcomes.
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, compelling, revenue-driving narratives.

Preferred

• Product marketing or GTM strategy experience for research and insights initiatives.
• Established industry relationships and a track record representing organizations externally through speaking and thought leadership.

Competencies — Behaviors We Like to See

Commercial Instinct

• Frames every research question against revenue, pipeline, and adoption rather than treating insight as an end in itself.
• Knows which findings move a deal or a budget and prioritizes the work accordingly.

Executive Presence

• Holds credibility in senior client and agency conversations, translating measurement into investment decisions.
• Represents Kargo confidently on stage and in market as a strategic voice, not just a presenter of data.

Cross-Functional Influence

• Aligns Sales, Marketing, Product, Data, and Client Success around a shared insights narrative without owning those functions.
• Turns market intelligence into priorities others act on, building consensus across competing agendas.

Narrative Craft

• Builds data-backed stories that make platform differentiation obvious and memorable.
• Cuts through complexity to land a sharp, defensible point of view that holds up under client scrutiny.

In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local pay transparency laws, the anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, education, and skills.

U.S Salary Range

$180,000—$200,000 USD

Our Laurels

• AdAge Best Places to Work
• ThinkLA Partner of the Year
• Built In Best Places to Work
• Cynopsis 2025 Top Women in Media - Jeannine Shao Collins
• Martech Breakthrough Awards - Best Overall Adtech Company
• Digiday Media Awards Best Event
• Cynopsis Media Impact Awards-Best CTV Platform
• Martech Breakthrough Awards-CTV Innovation
• Adweek Media Plan of the Year Awards - Best Use of Insights

Follow Our Lead

• Big Picture: kargo.com
• The Latest: Instagram (@kargomobile) and LinkedIn (Kargo)

Kargo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and dignity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or family status, national origin, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Pursuant to applicable fair chance laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, Kargo will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.