Head of Research

The Opportunity To fuel our ambitious global mission, we are seeking a pioneering Head of Research. This is a unique, ground-level leadership role designed to be the eyes, ears, and strategic voice of our community on the ground. You will build and lead a research function that goes beyond traditional market research, diving deep into the human stories and operational realities that define our business across diverse markets. Your insights will directly shape our strategy, product development, and community engagement. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Building Establish and lead a new, centralised Research team from the ground up. Define the research vision, methodologies, and culture, embedding a spirit of curiosity and relentless fact-finding. Mentor, develop, and inspire a team of researchers and analysts. Act as a key strategic advisor to senior leadership in Product, Marketing, Operations, and Strategy. Holistic Business & Community Research Business & Competitive Intelligence: Conduct in-depth industry and company research. Analyze competitors’ strategies, strengths, and vulnerabilities to inform our market positioning. User & Driver Sentiment Research: Own the understanding of our two core community groups. Design and execute qualitative and quantitative studies to capture the real-time sentiment, challenges, aspirations, and lived experiences of our drivers and customers. Strategic Insight Generation: Synthesize on-the-ground research into clear, actionable insights that identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and guide our global and local strategies. Field-First Research Execution Design and lead immersive field research programs, going directly into communities and operational hubs to gather unfiltered insights. Develop innovative methods to continuously capture the pulse of our markets, moving beyond surveys to ethnographic studies, in-depth interviews, and narrative analysis. Who We Are Looking For A Field Investigator at Heart: You have 7-10+ years of relevant experience in field research, journalism, or investigative reporting. You are skilled at uncovering truths, building trust with diverse interviewees, and constructing compelling narratives from complex information. Proven Leadership: Experience in building, leading, and developing high-performing teams. You thrive in creating structure in ambiguous, fast-paced environments. Business Acumen: Ability to translate human stories and field observations into sharp business implications and strategic recommendations. Exceptional Communicator: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. You can craft a powerful executive briefing as effectively as you can guide a sensitive interview. Global & Local Mindset: A passion for local communities, cultures, and operational realities. Experience working across Asia or other diverse regions is a significant plus. Mission-Driven: A genuine belief in Lalamove’s mission to empower communities and a desire to make a tangible impact. Ideal Backgrounds Include Former Journalist or Investigative Reporter who has transitioned into corporate research or strategy. Head of Market/Competitive Intelligence with a heavy emphasis on primary, field-based research. Consultant from a firm specializing in ethnographic research or emerging markets. To all candidates- Lalamove respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Notice will inform you how we will use your personal data, explain your privacy rights and the protection you have by the law when you apply to join us. Please take time to read and understand this Notice. Candidate Privacy Notice: #J-18808-Ljbffr