Research + Insights Lead

When WIP was created, we intentionally collapsed Account and Strategy departments into one discipline, with the belief that account people should be masters of their clients’ businesses, while also having the ability to connect the dots between company, culture and consumer in order to inspire and shape effective work. We also expect every person at WIP to bring a high level of strategic thinking to the table that reaches beyond the traditional confines of their role, whether creative, production, technology, or beyond.

With that in mind, we’re looking for a Research + Insights Lead to relentlessly feed our strategic machine with tensions, insights and areas of exploration that will help the collective team unlock new possibilities, actions and work for the brands we serve. This person would have a curiosity and passion that is unmatched, and the ability to think creatively to uncover new information and opportunities.

• You’re more inspirer than strategist in that you’re looking to uncover sharp insights and tensions that will help teams ideate and develop new actions for our brands to take.
• You use every platform and tactic at your disposal to find your way to new discoveries, and you have experience with many different research tactics, approaches, and vendors.
• You like getting your hands dirty, whether that’s hands-on research, moderating impromptu consumer groups, or hitting the streets for intercepts.
• You’ve had exposure to many brands and research methodologies, but you’re excited to keep learning and pushing, much like our work in progress mentality.
• You believe that a strategy is only as good as the creative it leads to, and so you work closely with creative and account teams to continually reshape strategy and creative alike.
• You don’t believe in clever-sounding strategy lines or drawn-out brand books that lead to everywhere and nowhere all at once.
• You’re digitally and socially native and use social platforms to keep your finger on the pulse of culture.
• You’re comfortable working with senior clients, creatives, and account + strategy people to present your findings and help craft sharp strategies, creative briefs and creative setups.

• 10+ years experience with increasing levels of responsibility at an agency or equivalent combo of agency and client-side experience.
• Experience working with client-side leaders up to the C-level.
• Experience working with internal teams in a highly-collaborative manner.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience working across a variety of research platforms and formats.
• Experience working directly with consumers in a variety of ways.

WIP Perks and Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, short-term disability (STD), voluntary long-term disability (LTD), and voluntary life/AD&D.

• 3% 401k contribution.

• “Unlimited” paid time off (PTO) for vacation days.

• 27 paid days off, which includes 16 holidays, a 1-week agency closure in July, and a 2-week agency closure in December.

• 2 weeks fully remote per year.

• Discretionary annual bonus.

• Each employee receives a $1,500 personal training credit annually, known as the WIP Fund, to allow for personal or professional growth in specific interest or passion areas.

About Us

We believe every brand, and person, should be a work in progress.

It’s why the founding partners opened the agency in 2016, and why WorkInProgress helps brands boldly take action, innovate, and create to prove why they exist. Then we use those actions to create the most memorable advertising.

As an independent agency, we strive to prove that an agency can care as much about a client’s business as they do. And that advertising can play a fundamental role in building and growing a company.

We’re always looking for smart, creative, and passionate people that care more about changing a company than winning awards.

Inventors more than ad people. Problem solvers more than portfolio puffery pushers. No assholes. No egos. No hiding because you can’t do the job. No selfishness. No disrespecting people or their time. Insanely talented, yet incredibly humble. In other words, one in a million. Lucky for us, we want to stay small and independent.

Our office is located in Boulder, CO, and we require employees to work from the office Tuesdays and Thursdays.