Role - Opinion Research Principal

Location - Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, or British Columbia .

Our Principals play a vital role in leading our client teams and ensuring high-value, excellent client service. This position focuses primarily on business development, client relationship management, and management and oversight of client team service delivery.

The Data, Digital and Design team serves clients by helping them tell their story through compelling creative, leveraging marketing and advertising tactics informed by research and data insights. This leader will be instrumental in helping clients shaping and executing research strategies that inform and contribute to the creation of data-driven communications campaigns and government engagement strategies. The ideal candidate is passionate about research, thrives in a fast-paced, client-focused environment, and brings a strong track record in leadership, innovation, and client service.

Opinion Research Principal responsibilities include but are not exclusive to the following:

Market Eminence and Business Development

• Drive service line growth through proactive client relationship building and strategic opportunity expansion.
• Identify new business opportunities, develop proposals, and contribute to pitch processes.
• Represent the firm at industry events and in thought leadership activities that help elevate individual & firm profile in the market.
• Meet annual internal business development and sales targets.

Client Service and Team Management

• Lead and manage all aspects of qualitative and quantitative opinion research, from proposal development to study design, fieldwork, analysis, and delivery.
• Act as the senior point of contact for key clients, translating their business objectives into research initiatives that deliver actionable insights.
• Lead multi-faceted client servicing teams, ensuring that team members understand their respective roles and responsibilities on a client file, while meeting firm deadlines, respecting budgets and delivering to the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction.
• Contribute and partner with broader government relations, public affairs and digital teams to ensure research informs compelling storytelling and campaign strategies.
• Deliver high-impact presentations that clearly communicate complex findings and strategic recommendations.
• Accountable for all aspects of delivery of service including consistency, alignment and continuous improvement in processes, work quality and effectiveness.
• Lead a team of internal and external collaborators and suppliers.

Product & Technology Innovation

• Champion the adoption and development of new tools, platforms, and methodologies that enhance the speed, depth, and value of insights.
• Track and explore emerging technologies and research trends to ensure the team remains at the forefront of the industry.
• Collaborate with internal technology and innovation teams to evaluate and implement cutting-edge research solutions.

Qualifications & Skills

• 10+ years of experience in opinion research, strategic consulting, or related field.
• Demonstrated success in managing client relationships and leading research engagements that drive strategic decision-making, ideally within a public affairs environment.
• Deep expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with a strong ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing and growing high-performing teams.
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement in research tools, techniques, and technology.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English; Fluency in written and spoken French preferred;
• Expertise with the data analysis applications SPSS and/or Q;
• Preferred experience in emerging technologies, AI-driven analytics, mobile-first survey platforms, social listening technologies, advanced segmentation tools, and real-time dashboards.
• Proficiency with working in Apple OS/iOS products and with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Excel (and G-Suite materials); Microsoft Teams; social media platforms; web-based and in-person engagement, administration and monitoring tools.
• Strong organization, time management, and attention to detail.

Working Conditions

Fast-paced office (both real and virtual) environment; must be able to interact professionally with all levels of management while simultaneously managing a diversified workload and challenging situations efficiently and effectively.

We believe in equal opportunity in employment practices without discrimination and comply with all laws regarding human rights in the provinces where we operate.

Earnscliffe offers Principals the opportunity for personal growth and professional development, including the ability to advance toward potentially becoming a Partner in the firm.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume with a cover letter explaining why you believe you are the right person for this opportunity via this LinkedIn job posting.

We believe in equal opportunity in employment practices without discrimination and comply with all laws regarding human rights in the provinces where we operate.