Director, NA Innovation Sales at NielsenIQ in Chicago, IL

companyDescription R26_0011401 This is a remote position for candidates currently living in the Unites States. jobDescription About this Job The Director, Innovation Practice Sales is responsible for driving revenue growth for NielsenIQ’s Innovation practice in North America. This role focuses exclusively on our suite of Innovation solutions, partnering with CPG clients to help them optimize product development, concept validation, and go-to-market strategies. The seller will own the end-to-end sales process for Innovation offerings, including prospecting, value creation, negotiating, and closing deals. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of client business challenges and the ability to position NIQ’s Innovation solutions as strategic drivers of growth. Own Innovation revenue target/quota for their assigned client portfolio. Develop and execute account-level strategies focused on retention and growth within the Innovation practice. Identify and capitalize on new Innovation sales opportunities through strategic prospecting and relationship building. Clearly articulate the Innovation value proposition, aligning solutions to client KPIs and business challenges. Navigate objections and resistance effectively, demonstrating consultative selling skills. Maintain a deep understanding of client business strategies and market dynamics to inform sales approach. Create and activate annual client strategies and account plans, including financial forecasting and pipeline management. Manage an active sales pipeline with accurate and timely forecasting. Lead proposal development for Innovation engagements, including first-time service use, complex study designs, and RFP responses. Collaborate internally with Product Leadership, Operations, and Customer Success to ensure feasibility and successful delivery. Drive C-suite engagement and thought leadership within the Innovation space. Ensure adherence to internal processes, including CRM usage and operational guidelines. Maintain strong product knowledge through ongoing learning and development. Balance short-term revenue generation with long-term client relationship building. Partner with NIQ Account Leads on joint-selling opportunities and integrated strategies. qualifications 7-10 years of research, consulting, or selling experience with a proven track record of developing new business and revenue streams. Minimum 3 years of experience with Innovation-focused market research solutions (concept testing, product development, forecasting, etc.). Strong strategic prospecting and new business development skills. Entrepreneurial mindset with creative thinking and consultative approach. Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective internal and external relationships. Proficiency in CRM tools for pipeline management and forecasting. Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred. Strong analytical aptitude and ability to translate client needs into actionable solutions. US Benefits Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental, and vision). Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account (including company contributions). Life and AD&D insurance. 401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions. Disability insurance. Tuition Reimbursement. Discretionary paid time off program and 11 paid holidays. Flexible working environment Volunteer time off LinkedIn Learning Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP) #LI-Remote additionalInformation This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $117,500.00 - $117,500.00.  Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role is eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support and more. Our Benefits Flexible working environment Volunteer time off LinkedIn Learning Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP) NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai-safety-policies. About NIQ NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population. For more information, visit NIQ.com Want to keep up with our latest updates? Follow us on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.  All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion