Research Exec... depends on whether you're on the qualitative or quantitative side. If I'm not mistaken, they divide into 2 teams. For research house - overall most of them work late and sometimes on weekend as well. Highly pressure work environment but you learn a lot from it. So if you're working there, make the most out of it.

LOL you need to ask IPSOS during the interview. Different research house do it differently. Some are very large so their consultants work/ are responsible for different things.

I suppose consulting would be more on servicing the client right? Meaning after the research report is out, you will need to present the analysis and findings to your client. Again, depending on the structure of the company, you might be responsible for both quanti and quali side or on either one. Refer/ check your job description. Otherwise you can always give the HR a call to clarify.