Head of Panel Management – TV Audience Measurement at NielsenIQ

Job Description

• The Head of Panel Management is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the national TV audience measurement panel (household panel) and the Digital Panel (measurement of online video; individual panel) in South Africa. This role ensures the panels are representative, compliant, and high-quality, supporting the delivery of the official TV audience measurement currency. The position oversees recruitment, installation, maintenance, retention, and quality assurance of panel households and individuals, ensuring adherence to GfK standards, POPIA compliance, and international best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Panel Strategy & Governance: Define and implement the panel management strategy aligned with currency requirements and market governance (BRC). Ensure sample design compliance and demographic representativeness. Develop policies and SOPs for recruitment, maintenance, and churn management.
• Recruitment & Installation: Oversee panel recruitment campaigns; manage installation of metering technology; ensure POPIA compliance.
• Panel Health & Retention: Monitor panel health KPIs; implement engagement programs; develop incentive schemes.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance: Conduct audits; implement QC processes; ensure compliance with GfK internal guidelines and POPIA.
• Vendor & Fieldwork Management: Manage relationships with fieldwork agencies and equipment suppliers; negotiate SLAs.
• Reporting & Stakeholder Communication: Provide panel health reports; communicate changes and improvement plans.
• People Leadership: Build and lead a Panel Management team; foster a culture of accuracy and compliance.

Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years in audience measurement, field operations, or panel management; 3+ years in leadership. Strong understanding of South African demographics, governance, and TV ecosystem. Experience with metering technologies and panel methodologies. Knowledge of POPIA compliance and data privacy standards. Proven ability to manage vendors and large-scale field operations.

Key Competencies

• Operational excellence in managing complex panel operations; analytical mindset; stakeholder management; leadership skills.
• Knowledge of data maps/data entry templates, coding, questionnaire design
• Success Metrics
• Panel representativeness and compliance; recruitment and installation targets; churn rate reduction; QC pass rates and audit readiness.

Additional Information

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)