Director, Market Research & Strategic Insights (Schaumburg)
About the Company PCS is one of the largest high net worth managing general underwriters in the market today. With a sole focus on families with $5 million or more in assets, PCS provides complex insurance policies for individuals with complex needs. Private Client Select offers property and casualty personal insurance solutions and risk management services that meet the unique and complex needs of High-Net-Worth clients. We understand their passions and are committed to preserving the life that they have built. PCS employs approximately five hundred staff members. The company has offices in New York, NY; Edison, NJ; St. Petersburg, FL; Schaumburg, IL and San Diego, CA. PCS has a geographically diverse workforce and supports hybrid and remote business-based flexibility. About the Position PCS is seeking an experienced, intellectually curious, and objective research leader to establish and lead a formal Market Research and Strategic Insights capability. This position will help PCS determine where genuine market opportunities exist before the company commits significant resources, ensuring that product and growth decisions begin with disciplined inquiry rather than assumptions or predetermined conclusions. The Manager will design the research framework, conduct and oversee primary and secondary research, and translate findings into clear recommendations for senior leadership. The role will support PCS Solutions, Product Management, Distribution, Underwriting, and other business leaders by evaluating new product concepts, customer and broker needs, distribution opportunities, competitive dynamics, and broader industry trends. The successful candidate will combine strong insurance knowledge with rigorous quantitative and qualitative research capabilities and the judgment to challenge conventional thinking when the evidence warrants it. Key Responsibilities Market Opportunity & Product Research Lead objective assessments of potential products, services, markets, and strategic opportunities, including market size, customer need, competitive intensity, distribution feasibility, economics, and execution risk. Develop research plans that test the underlying assumptions behind new ideas and clearly identify what evidence would support, modify, or disprove an initial hypothesis. Conduct targeted research with manufacturers, builders, brokers, carriers, customers, industry experts, and other market participants to validate demand and understand unmet needs. Evaluate opportunities relevant to the high net worth market and PCS Solutions, such as specialty personal lines, protection services, international capabilities, and adjacent risk-management offerings. Customer, Broker & Distribution Insights Design and conduct customer, broker, and distribution research to understand buying behavior, satisfaction, retention, channel preferences, and emerging needs. Partner with Distribution and Product Management to assess broker behavior, channel opportunities, barriers to adoption, and the market positioning of PCS offerings. Build a repeatable voice-of-the-customer and voice-of-the-broker capability that converts feedback into actionable product and service recommendations. Competitive & Industry Intelligence Monitor competitors, carriers, emerging market entrants, technology providers, regulatory developments, and macro trends affecting the high net worth insurance market. Develop and maintain structured competitive intelligence, including product features, coverage differences, pricing approaches, distribution models, customer propositions, and market developments. Identify material changes in the market and communicate their strategic implications to business leaders in a timely and practical manner. Research Standards, Analytics & Validation Establish consistent research standards, methodologies, templates, and quality controls for opportunity assessments and strategic research. Apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques, including survey design, interviews, focus groups, segmentation, statistical analysis, benchmarking, and secondary-source synthesis. Partner with Human Resources and business leaders, when appropriate, to evaluate whether employee assessments, survey questions, and other organizational measures correlate with performance and business outcomes. Clearly distinguish facts, estimates, assumptions, limitations, and management judgment in all research deliverables. Executive Decision Support & Thought Leadership Produce concise white papers, market assessments, executive briefings, and recommendations that explain what the research shows, what remains uncertain, and what action PCS should consider. Present findings to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, facilitating fact-based discussion and constructive challenge. Create decision gates and success measures that allow PCS to test promising concepts before committing to broader investment or implementation. Maintain a prioritized research agenda aligned with the company’s strategic objectives and emerging business questions. Function Development & Cross-Functional Leadership Build the foundation for a scalable Market Research function, including its operating model, research intake process, governance, knowledge repository, and annual agenda. Develop the longer-term talent model for the function, which may include experienced researchers, junior analysts, and participants from PCS rotational programs. Coach and develop research staff as the capability expands, creating standards that promote curiosity, objectivity, analytical rigor, and clear communication. Collaborate effectively across PCS Solutions, Product Management, Underwriting, Distribution, Actuarial, Claims, Finance, Technology, Operations, Human Resources, Legal, and Marketing. Required Skills, Knowledge, and Education 4 years of progressive experience in market research, strategic insights, competitive intelligence, product research, corporate strategy, consulting, or a related discipline; insurance or financial-services experience strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to build and execute research plans using both primary and secondary research and both quantitative and qualitative methods. Strong understanding of research design, survey methodology, interviewing, segmentation, statistical analysis, market sizing, and opportunity assessment. Ability to move from ambiguous business questions to well-structured research, evidence-based conclusions, and practical recommendations. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing white papers and presenting complex findings to senior executives. Strong business judgment, intellectual independence, and willingness to challenge assumptions while remaining collaborative and solutions-oriented. Experience leading cross-functional initiatives, managing multiple priorities, and influencing stakeholders without relying solely on formal authority. Bachelor’s degree in Market Research, Business, Economics, Statistics, Data Analytics, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred. Experience building or leading a research or insights function, knowledge of high net worth personal insurance or insurance distribution, and proficiency with relevant research, survey, data-analysis, and visualization tools are preferred. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy PCS values and is fully committed to diversity and inclusion. It is the policy of PCS not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, nation of origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status.
