Director, Research, PBS Kids Sprout

This is a Full Time Job

Reporting to the VP Marketing& Research, Director will lead all research and audience measurementefforts to inform programming, distribution, brandingand online strategies for Sprout, the first 24-hour preschool destination available on TV, on demand and online for kids ages 2-5 and their parents and caregivers. Director will manage the creation and implementation of all Nielsen television ratings activities to support the channel (currently in 50M homes) whichwill be rated for the first time in late 2010. Will also be responsible for developing research plans, managing budgets, hiring and managing consultants, recommending methodologies, working with vendors to interpret data, and preparing research reports and presentations using both primary and secondarysources. Responsibilities:-Working with VP, Marketing& Research, create Sprout's overall research plan that creatively uses resources to obtain maximum value for budgets.-Collaborate with Programming, Marketing and Communications teams to design and implement research studies and analyses that inform creative and business decisions and drive Sprout's overall goals.-Build and maintain infrastructure for internal reporting of Nielsen ratings data to key stakeholders, including programming, scheduling, marketing and finance teams. -Work closely with research contacts at Comcast Network Sales team on audience viewing estimates, and collaborate on custom studies and sales materials. Support Affiliate Distribution team to generate and adapt research reports for presentations and pitches.-Design and implement primary research studies (focus groups, ethnographies, online surveys, etc.). Explore and recommend alternative research approaches (e.g. online mom communities) to expand research tool set. -Measure usage of Sprout VOD and SproutOnline using Rentrak's On Demand Essentials and Omniture Site Catalyst and other sources.-Build internal knowledge base of trends, child development, and societal forces impacting kids and families using syndicated research (MRI, Simmons, etc), published studies, academic research and consultation with experts in kid/family issues. -Evaluate, hire and manage outside research and consultants to expand Sprout's research capabilities and knowledge base.-Oversee the day-to-day activities of a three member research team. Required Skills: -Bachelor's degree-Must have 5-7 years experience in primary research (including survey and focus group methods). Strongly prefer candidates with 3+ years media Research experience at a cable or broadcast network. -Nielsen media research experience required, including knowledge of core tools such as NPOWER, Galaxy Explorer, and Star Trak.-Individual should be a self-starter with proven strategic thinking skills and strong management abilities.-Excellent verbal and written communication skills a must, including proven ability to present research findings and distill complicated data into clear findings and recommendations.-Must be acreative thinker with the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time. -Must be well organized and have quick understanding of business and industry issues.-Excel and PowerPoint experience required; Access experience preferred.