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Marketing Research & Analytics, Director

PlayFirst is a leading publisher focused on creating shared casual game experiences around lasting original brands. Committed to building casual gameplay rich in story and character, PlayFirst works with talented internal and external developers to bring mass market games to multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, mobile, handheld and console. The company's portfolio includes the world-renowned Diner Dash® franchise as well as top-selling games such as Wedding Dash™, Chocolatier®, and Dream Chronicles™.

Founded in 2004 by veterans of Internet portals, traditional games publishers, entertainment software, and technology firms, PlayFirst is funded by Mayfield Fund, Trinity Ventures, Rustic Canyon Partners and DCM. PlayFirst, Inc is headquartered in downtown San Francisco. For more information, visit www.playfirst.com.

Job Description:

Are you ready to have a key role in taking a company to the next level?  The Research & Analytics Director in this rapidly growing start-up will work closely with Marketing, Product, Engineering and top management to bring PlayFirst games to consumers around the world. As one of the top publishers in the casual games space, PlayFirst occupies a unique place in the market, working with both game developers as well as online and traditional channel partners. You will report to the head of Marketing.

The Research & Analytics Director is a focused individual with excellent quantitative analysis and qualitative research skills who can lead marketing insights across the company. He or she will be able to confidently and diplomatically interact with cross-functional partners. This individual will lead the PlayFirst team to answer complex business questions through thoughtful and rigorous analysis with clear actionable communication of results, including creative utilization of metrics to ensure measurements match true business drivers.

Responsibilities:

  • Design and field online customer surveys and analyze results in support of product development, retention, pricing, and market segmentation
  • Analyze online marketing, e-mail marketing and website user behavior using quantitative and qualitative methodologies to provide recommendations to improve business performance, marketing programs and consumer experience to meet business objectives
  • Drive key qualitative research for PlayFirst, especially consumer focus groups
  • Identify key metrics, produce and manage a dashboard of these metrics to monitor and help drive the business
  • Perform advanced ad-hoc analyses to support business decisions
  • Lead multivariate testing for key marketing and product initiatives, both on the site and in marketing communications
  • Coordinate input from marketing, sales and development teams and senior management to translate business and operational issues into appropriate research projects
  • Deliver high-quality insights in creative, efficient ways
  • Integrate 3rd party data with qualitative and quantitative techniques to enrich insights
  • Liaise with vendors to ensure outsourced research is conducted to high standards and on time, all the time.

Requirements:

  • 7+ years experience in consumer insights/analytics on either the client or agency side
  • Proficiency in quantitative market research techniques, specifically: attitudinal segmentation, pricing and brand tracking studies
  • Strong proficiency with database query/reporting tools including SQL, CoreMetrics, SAS, Cognos and Business Objects to extract, transform and interpret complex data into actionable findings
  • Experience in all key qualitative methodologies including ethnographics, focus groups, friendly pair interviews, and online qualitative
  • Innovative thinking in relation to turning business questions into actionable ad-hoc analyses
  • Accurate and obsessive attention to detail, and extremely quality oriented. Must be focused on delivering accurate, error-free work at all times
  • Inquisitive Attitude - demonstrates a love for data & analysis
  • Big picture thinker
  • Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
  • Experience in research in the entertainment and/or consumer oriented technology space
  • Strong team player, flexible and adaptable
  • Strong business acumen, organization and analytical skills
  • Able to handle multiple and often competing priorities
  • Eligible to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis
  • Advanced degree in Statistics or related field preferred (M.S., M.A., PhD)

Benefits:

Core benefits include: health, dental, vision, life/disability, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) and stock options. PlayFirst is located downtown in SOMA right by the financial district (2 blocks from BART) and offers great fringe benefits, including generous paid time off, 10 company holidays, yoga, chair massage, snacks, refreshments, and company-wide "playdates" to test each of our games during the development process.

Salary and level to be determined by experience and education

To apply for this position, please email your resume in a standard Word or PDF document to jobs@playfirst.com and please include the exact job title in the subject line as above.