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Director of Research and Consulting (SME in a sales setting)

Omaha, NE

Posted: 02/13/2025 Industry: Executive Leadership Job Number: 2999881 Pay Rate: $140 / hour

Job Description

This newly created position is a leadership role within a fast-growing payments analytics and consulting firm. The Director of Research and Consulting is responsible for leading a team of analysts and payments consultants, ensuring the successful delivery of research projects and consulting engagements. This person will oversee project execution, manage resources (including both full-time employees and 1099 consultants), and support revenue growth by providing subject matter expertise (SME) in the payments industry.


The ideal candidate has 10+ years of experience in the payments industry, specifically on the merchant acceptance side, and at least 5 years in a leadership role. This role is not a sales position, but the director will actively support business development efforts by joining client calls, explaining project capabilities, and ensuring seamless project execution from contract signing to completion.


Key Responsibilities

  • Project & Team Leadership: Lead a team of analysts and consultants, ensuring projects are executed on time, within scope, and on budget.
  • Client Engagement: Work closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver high-quality research and consulting solutions.
  • Project Execution: Oversee the kickoff, execution, and completion of signed projects, ensuring client satisfaction.
  • Resource Management: Manage a mix of full-time employees (W2) and remote consultants (1099), focusing on retention and efficiency.
  • Process Improvement: Establish and refine processes in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
  • Strategic Support: Join sales calls as the payments SME, helping clients understand how the firm can meet their needs.
  • Compliance & Quality: Ensure adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Business Development Support: Assist in securing new consulting engagements without being in a direct sales role.


Required Experience & Skills

  • 10+ years of experience in the payments industry (merchant acceptance side).
  • 5+ years of leadership experience, managing teams and complex projects.
  • 5+ years of client-facing experience.
  • Strong organizational and operational management skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).
  • Experience managing remote consultants (1099) and in-house employees (W2).
  • Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.


Bonus Skills

  • Experience conducting survey research and writing white papers.
  • Familiarity with payments industry regulations and emerging trends.


Why Join Us?

  • Entrepreneurial & Growing: Opportunity to make a significant impact in a fast-growing firm.
  • Leadership Role: Influence strategy and operations while mentoring a team.
  • Challenging & Rewarding: Work with a high volume of diverse projects in a dynamic industry.
  • Competitive Compensation: Up to $140K base salary + up to $30K annual bonus.
  • Strong Benefits: Unlimited PTO, retirement plan match, health, dental, and vision coverage.


What Success Looks Like

In the first year, the Director of Research and Consulting will have:

  • Ensured smooth execution of projects, meeting budgets and client expectations.
  • Improved internal processes and team efficiency.
  • Enhanced client satisfaction through expert guidance and strategic consulting.
  • Contributed to revenue growth by successfully supporting sales efforts.


This is a high-impact leadership role for someone passionate about the payments industry and consulting services—someone who thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment and is ready to lead teams, refine processes, and drive results.


Ready to make an impact? Apply today!

Meet Your Recruiter

Kinga Wilson
Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

After moving to the U.S. from England and beginning her career in the IT industry, Kinga saw a problem that needed to be fixed.

There was a disconnect between job seekers and employers, leading to a frustrating recruiting process and, worse, poor hires.

So in 1998, Kinga started her own search firm—Leaders IT Recruitment in Lincoln, Nebraska— to bridge the gap, and she hasn’t looked back since. The firm has grown organically through satisfied clients’ word-of-mouth referrals and blossomed into Insight Recruitment which, 20 years later, has worked with job candidates and businesses across the country by setting the bar for what a recruitment agency should be. 

“We get our clients’ attention by giving them the clarity they need to make better decisions for themselves,” Kinga says. “We’ve helped candidates secure truly life-changing jobs, and we’ve made a massive impact on companies needing the right mix of people to ensure their success continues.”

Kinga sees the right qualities in applicants and the bottom line for businesses. She makes sure her small-but-mighty team keeps its eye on one thing above all else: follow through.

“Our tools, strategies and focus have evolved like any growing business, but our core values have not,” Kinga says. “We focus on quality, high-touch service from the start, and our passion shows. I’ve been lucky enough to hire people who align with Insight’s philosophy on service.”

It’s that partnership attitude that differentiates Insight from the crowd.

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About Omaha, NE

Ready to take the next leap in your career? Explore our job opportunities in the vibrant city of Omaha, Nebraska, where endless growth possibilities await. Known for its Midwest charm and bustling job market, Omaha offers a perfect blend of big-city amenities and small-town feel. From the iconic Henry Doorly Zoo, the renowned Orpheum Theater, to the annual College World Series, Omaha is a hub of cultural attractions and bustling activity. Indulge in the famous Reuben sandwich, catch a game with the beloved Creighton Bluejays, or unwind at the tranquil Heartland of America Park. Discover your dream job in this dynamic city – where work meets play, and opportunities are endless.