Director – Maternity Cover (Consultancy) Full Time NEW

We are looking to hire a Senior Consultant (Maternity Cover) to join our Consultancy team in the UK.

Working at WGSN

Together, we create tomorrow

A career with WGSN is fast-paced, exciting and full of opportunities to grow and develop. We’re a team of consumer and design trend forecasters, content creators, designers, data analysts, advisory consultants and much more, united by a common goal: to create tomorrow.

WGSN’s trusted consumer and design forecasts power outstanding product design, enabling our customers to create a better future. Our services cover consumer insights, beauty, consumer tech, fashion, interiors, lifestyle, food and drink forecasting, data analytics and expert advisory. If you are an expert in your field, we want to hear from you.

Role overview

We are looking for a Consultant Director (Mat Cover) to join our dynamic, ambitious and close-knit EMEA consultancy team. Working closely with Mindset leadership, the role will be responsible for developing the Mindset business by owning and nurturing senior client relationships, and pioneering innovative research that not only inspires our clients, but exceeds their expectations.
This role is a 12-15 month Fixed-Term Maternity Cover contract.
This role is pivotal in shaping Mindset’s consultancy offer in the key areas of Foresight & Innovation. Working with our existing high-value client relationships to develop innovative solutions for their business needs, as well as identifying new business opportunities that align with our long-term growth strategy.

In order to succeed in this role, you will need to demonstrate two clear areas of expertise:

• Proven experience of working in Forecasting and Foresight and confident in translating macro and consumer trends into thought-provoking insight across Innovation and Trend Frameworks, Speculative Futures and Design Strategy.
• A strong background in Consulting, ideally within an agency environment, where you have led multiple, complex projects that blend qualitative and quantitative research to deliver exemplary solutions to your clients.

You will be highly commercial, an excellent strategist and a creative thought leader with an extensive knowledge of global trends, and the experience to assimilate client needs and challenges into world class consulting.

The team

You will be part of a dynamic, high-performing team of 40+ consultants, strategists, and trend researchers who deliver bespoke solutions to a wide range of clients across the globe. You will be working with industry experts and thought leaders with backgrounds in creative strategy, product innovation, design, marketing, buying and merchandising, data analytics and of course, trend forecasting.

Key Accountabilities

• Own and direct the largest and most senior client relationships, constantly identifying potential growth opportunities for the Mindset business in EMEA
• Work closely with Account Management & Sales teams to respond to client briefs and develop commercially viable research solutions, enabling us to deliver on financial KPI’s and achieve operational excellence
• Oversee and lead qualitative and/or quantitative primary and secondary research across a variety of methodologies, working with Consultants and Data Analysts to provide actionable trend forecasts that will benefit our clients’ future business
• Identify new methodologies and analysis frameworks that will ensure best in class consulting that consistently wins new business
• Accountable for the relevancy and quality of the work delivered to clients, evaluating feedback to maintain and improve standards
• Line management with responsibility for team(s). Responsible for oversight of the team’s performance, 1-1s and personal career development plans
• Travel nationally and internationally to deliver high-value consulting projects to clients

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other activities you are required to deliver.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Required

• Agency experience is a must, demonstrating an understanding of the operational models that underpin commercial success for consultancy and the ability to implement a strategy for an organisation.
• Proven experience working with clients in one or more of WGSN’s focus industries (Food & Drink, Fashion, Beauty, Interiors), and confident in delivering strategy to senior client stakeholders.
• Proven experience of working in Trend Forecasting, Foresight and Innovation, and confident in translating macro and consumer trends into thought-provoking insight and strategy.
• A strong understanding of the role data and analytics plays in commercial success, with an ability to direct data analysis and pinpoint trends that will impact the market.
• A solution-minded approach, with experience in working across multiple research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) to develop market-leading forecasts and strategic direction.
• A critical thinker, able to consider both strategic and tactical implications. Highly skilled verbal and written communicator.
• Ability to lead project teams, prioritise workload, and support other members of team. Comfortable and proficient in leading projects and initiatives across multi-functional teams and multiple time zones.

What We Offer
Our benefits and wellbeing package offers flexible benefits you can tailor to your own personal needs, including:

• 25 days of holiday per year – with an option to buy/ sell up to 5 days
• Pension, Life Assurance and Income Protection
• Flexible benefits platform with options including Private Medical, Dental Insurance & Critical Illness
• Employee assistance programme, season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme
• Volunteering opportunities and charitable giving options
• Great learning and development opportunities

More About WGSN
WGSN is the global authority on consumer trend forecasting.
We help brands around the world create the right products at the right time for tomorrow’s consumer.

Our values

• We Are Everywhere

The future is everything, it happens everywhere. WGSN is the world-leading forecaster because we track and analyse consumer behaviours, product innovation, design and creativity, everywhere.

• We Are Future Focused

We utilise our global resources and intelligence to research, source and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to produce our forecasts. Everything we do is focused on working with our customers to create a successful and positive tomorrow.

• We Are Rigorous

We source, review and assess quantitative and qualitative data to produce robust, actionable forecasts. To provide credible insights and design solutions for our clients, it is essential that rigour runs through everything we do.

Our culture
An inclusive culture is one of our key priorities. We want our people to truly be themselves and thrive. We love having a diverse team of people who bring new ideas, different strengths and perspectives & reflect the global audience we work with.

Inclusive workforce
We are committed to supporting the environment and sustainability, including ensuring our pension plan defaults to sustainable options and striving to be net zero by 2030.

Recognising great performance is a key part of our culture. Our Awards schemes recognise and reward the brilliant achievements of our people.

We have a truly flexible working environment with a wide range of flexible, hybrid and agile-working arrangements. Conversations about flexible working have always been – and will continue to be – actively encouraged here.

We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform their best when interviewing, so if you require any reasonable adjustments that would make you more comfortable during the process, please let us know so that we can do our best to support you.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.