As Mars continues to evolve its strategy to meet the demands of tomorrow, the Strategic Capabilities (SC) team is a critical driver for accelerating associate growth and competencies for the business. The External Research & Best Practice Lead will oversee the Strategic Capabilities external research, best practice analytics, and data activities and digital tools. This role will be instrumental in sourcing the latest and strongest external research and best practices in strategic capabilities planning and building to ensure that Mars has deep knowledge and expertise in these areas, with contemporary processes, tools, frameworks, methodologies and technology to enable our businesses to identify, assess, diagnose and build the most critical capabilities to create the world we want tomorrow. This role will also create strong external partnerships on research and insights with world renowned organizations that are at the forefront of research, insights, and trends of the future. This individual will partner across SC, MGSL and the segments / functions to identify ways to infuse market-leading practices, research, and data tools and techniques into Mars, playing a central role in shaping the external research and best practice analytics agenda to help enhance the impact on our business.

This role can be based in US or UK.

What are we looking for?

• Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology or related. PhD is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in Learning & Development, HR, or similar function.
• Experience as consultant is a plus in the areas of human performance interventions, org performance, applied research, etc.
• Advanced proficiency in data platforms, including Microsoft Excel, SQL, Python, MATLAB etc. is preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in data visualizations tools such as Tableau, Power BI, etc. is preferred.
• Proven track record in leading global and future oriented research and trend studies / reports
• Proven track record engaging senior stakeholders on strategic initiatives and concepts
• Ability to coordinate and manage projects across a largely matrixed, global, and complex organization with competing priorities and perspectives
• Demonstrated experience translating detailed research and data analytics into digestible, actionable stories tailored to the audience
• Proven experience developing complex and dynamic statistical models
• Experience testing innovative methods and leading-edge techniques towards data management, analysis, and visualization
• Strategic, business-oriented mindset
• Experience or a general understanding of HR / Learning and Development preferred

What would be your key responsibilities?

The ER&BPL will oversee the strategy and vision for how SC can better leverage data and research to drive our daily work and impact by:

• Actively partnering with the SCB team and MGSL Data and Analytics Manager to determine and identify areas to leverage data to improve our ability to deliver to the business
• Designing and implementing innovative, data-driven solutions that address business and HR needs and challenges
• Derive critical insights and tell a compelling story to display the power of data and better optimize our approach to the business
• Initiating and executing on data-guided analyses to help solve, inform, and support workforce strategies and initiatives to fill capability gaps
• Serving as the subject matter advisor on market research and analytical tools and techniques for Mars University and our segment / functional stakeholders
• Staying up to date on leading-edge research and trends, and facilitating the adoption of evolving leading practices across the enterprise

What can you expect from Mars?

• The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career. 
• An industry competitive compensation package including generous benefits (i.e. 401k, health, etc.)    
• Commitment to our Purpose and our Five Principles. 
• An environment where all Associates feel valued, supported and comfortable being themselves at work. 
• The opportunity to work cross functionally, add value and impact a better world for generations to come. 

#LI-KR2

About Mars:
Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5â„¢, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL® and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitalsâ„¢, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCAâ„¢ and Pet Partnersâ„¢. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 130,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.

Disclaimer:
Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.​​​​​​​

Note to Search Firms/Agencies:
Mars, Incorporated and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Mars) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Mars and the requisition is position-specific.  Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Mars will be deemed the sole property of Mars and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Mars.