Team Leader

research · Amsterdam · full-time

Are you a curious and strategically strong Team Lead with a passion for understanding consumer behavior? Someone who understands what goes on from the client’s perspective, but also has a feel for how the process works from a media agency’s standpoint? And someone who knows how to use new technology (such as AI) wisely to arrive at sharper insights more quickly? Then we’re looking for you.

At Validators, you’ll work on strategic brand and communication challenges for major brands. You’ll do this as part of a team that works daily with the top 200 advertisers. That means the research questions are big and high-profile: how do you ensure that communication really works, that brands remain top of mind, and that creative decisions are well-founded?

Research and behavioral insights play an important role in this, but they are never an end in themselves. They help test assumptions, refine choices, and break through deadlocks in discussions. This way, you not only provide clients with new insights, but—more importantly—give them a solid foundation for making decisions. You understand how strong brands are built, how agencies come up with ideas, and what insights are needed to refine that process.

Your next step:

In this role, you’ll lead both projects and people. You’ll serve as a strong sounding board for clients and help them clarify complex decisions regarding branding and communication. We’re looking for a Team Lead who will take responsibility for the operations, development, and performance of a multidisciplinary client team. The Team Lead manages a team of approximately 4–5 professionals, consisting of Client Consultants and Insights Consultants. Together, they help clients make marketing and communication-related decisions based on research, analysis, and strategic interpretation. The role combines people leadership, operational involvement, and commercial/team responsibility. The Team Lead is an integral part of the client team and contributes substantively based on their own specialization, for example as a Client Consultant. In addition, the Team Lead plays a key role in translating new developments in research, data, AI, and consulting into concrete improvements in client engagement, collaboration, and team performance. As a Team Lead, you serve as the link between strategy and execution, guiding your team through the organization’s strategic initiatives.

You’re curious about new ways of working and closely follow developments in data, technology, and AI—not because you have to, but because it offers opportunities to spot patterns more quickly and help clients make even better decisions.

What will you do?

People Management & Team Development

Multidisciplinary Leadership: You will lead a multidisciplinary client team and support the team’s overall development and dynamics.

Coaching & Growth: You coach team members individually and guide their careers and development, including through personal development plans and effective onboarding.

Culture & Job Satisfaction: You foster strong collaboration, an open communication culture, positive team dynamics, and job satisfaction.

Resolving Issues: You proactively identify and resolve issues that arise in daily work and in collaboration within the team.

Coordination with HR and Team Leads: You’ll work closely with fellow team leads and HR on capacity planning, talent development, and team performance.

Business, Clients & Project Operations

Ultimate Responsibility for Results: You are ultimately responsible for achieving the team's goals, revenue, margins, and overall team performance.

Client Portfolio Growth Plan: You will develop a commercial and strategic growth plan for the team and the client portfolio and ensure its rigorous execution.

Project Management: You monitor the quality, schedule, capacity, and progress of ongoing client projects and make adjustments as needed.

Continuous improvement: You identify opportunities for operational improvement and continuously optimize the processes, tools, and methods related to project delivery.

Strategy, Innovation & Advocacy

Face of the Team: You are the face and voice of the team and represent the team effectively in company updates, all-hands meetings, and management team meetings.

Strategic Decision-Making (OBEYA): You make an active, substantive contribution to the strategic decision-making meetings (OBEYA) and translate organizational goals into team initiatives.

Innovation & Market Trends: You closely monitor relevant developments in market research, data, AI, and consulting, and translate these into concrete applications for the team.

Change & Methodologies: You will lead the adoption of new work methods and modern techniques within the team and in our approach to clients.

Who are you?

You have at least five years of experience in a client consultant role and at least three years of experience as a team lead—for example, at a research firm, a creative agency, or on the client side.

You are able to help a team grow, both in terms of business and by guiding them through that growth

You are at the forefront of new analytical methods and use AI and advanced tools to quickly turn complex data into actionable customer insights.

You have experience with market, communications, or marketing research.

You have experience leading a team.

You bring people, customer interests, and results together.

You have strong organizational skills and can maintain a clear overview in a dynamic environment.

You think commercially and strategically, demonstrate natural leadership, and lead by example.

You're curious about innovation and make new ideas practical.

You have a vision for the future of insights, data, and marketing consulting.

You have an excellent command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written.

About the Workplace

Why Validators?

You'll be working on strategic issues for iconic Dutch and international brands.

You’ll be working alongside energetic, driven colleagues in a close-knit client team. This makes our collaboration personal, fast, and super effective!

Work at a small, independent agency with short lines of communication (approx. 50 FTE), where you can really make an impact.

We give your ideas and insights room to grow; we value initiative and are happy to brainstorm with you!

An inspiring workplace in a trendy office building.

You'll share in our growth through a profit-sharing and stock ownership plan.

There are plenty of growth opportunities thanks to the rapid development of Validators.

Hybrid work: 2–3 days in the office, and you decide the rest!

You may work entirely remotely for one month per year.

Are you interested?

Then quickly send your resume and cover letter via "Apply Now."

Employment Type: Full-time (fixed-term contract)

Terms of employment:

25 vacation days based on full-time employment

Pension

Travel Expense Reimbursement

Performance Bonus

Work location: Hybrid work in 1021 Amsterdam Noord

Application

Application deadline: January 28, 2027