Senior Creative Researcher

RED @ Vanguard, Creative Intelligence

Vanguard’s in-house creative agency, RED @ Vanguard, is expanding its Creative Intelligence research team and seeking a Senior Creative Researcher who blends qualitative depth with quantitative rigor. In this role, you’ll help ensure insights are the foundation of all content, creative, and user experiences, directly contributing to Vanguard’s mission of improving outcomes for investors.

You will collaborate closely with a diverse mix of partners across Personal Investor and Advice & Wealth Management Marketing, including peer researchers, creative strategists, marketing specialists, and marketing leadership. As part of a small but high impact team recognized for advancing client insights-driven marketing, you’ll shape more resonant, effective, and continuously improving creative work.

About the Team: Our mission: Uncover actionable investor insights that inspire compelling, research-backed opportunities and strategies.

What you'll do: 
Lead Insight-Driven Research

• Design and execute qualitative and quantitative research that informs positioning, marketing strategy, creative strategy.

• Develop tailored research approaches, conduct primary research, analyze data, and translate findings into clear, compelling stories with actionable implications.

• Identify when new research is needed, or when existing insights and secondary sources can be synthesized to move work forward.

Collaborate Across Creative and Marketing Disciplines

• Partner with creative strategists, marketing leaders, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure insights inspire strong, meaningful creative outcomes.

• Present research findings to project teams, stakeholders, and senior leaders.

• Manage timelines, stakeholders, and competing priorities across multiple projects.

Stay Curious and Continuously Evolve

• Experiment with new methodologies, tools, and industry innovations.

• Bring a proactive, open-minded, and collaborative spirit to every project. 

Who Makes a Strong Candidate

• A hands-on researcher who thrives in a creative environment and enjoys seeing your insights rapidly put into action.

• Comfortable working in ambiguity and skilled at structuring clarity from complexity.

• A compelling storyteller who can translate data into narrative and influence.

• A strong collaborator who builds relationships across disciplines and levels.

• Curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of related experience in market research and/or user experience research.

• Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree preferred.

• Demonstrated experience conducting both qualitative and quantitative primary research.

• Ability to translate research findings into clear, actionable recommendations that drive marketing, creative strategy, and user experience decisions. 

• Experience in financial services, creative agencies, or research agencies preferred.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Applicants are welcome, but not required, to include a brief cover letter highlighting how their experience aligns with this role; while optional, it can help us more quickly understand your relevant skills and prioritize your application.

Vanguard operates on a hybrid working model designed to balance flexibility with meaningful in‑person collaboration. For roles based in our Malvern, PA campus, crew members work on‑site Tuesday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.