Lead Design Researcher

A prominent organization in the financial sector is seeking exceptional talent through Aquent, a trusted partner in connecting top professionals with groundbreaking opportunities. This institution is at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of digital experiences and impacting millions of users. Join a team where your work will not only shape digital offerings but also elevate the entire design research practice, making a tangible impact on strategic digital transformation efforts. Step into a pivotal role where you will spearhead research strategies that redefine our digital ecosystem.

Responsibilities

Strategic Advisory: Lead discussions with Design and cross-functional teams on overarching research strategies and provide expert recommendations; Cross-Pollination: Direct and mentor Design peers on research methodologies and collaborate with fellow researchers; Business Alignment: Deeply understand business needs and goals, evaluate and prioritize research activities; Research Planning & Systems: Lead planning, organization, and development of scalable systems for evaluating and prioritizing research topics; Execution & Moderation: Lead design and moderation of complex research activities, including multi-stage studies and live sessions; Synthesis & Influence: Drive collation, synthesis, and translation of complex technical data into actionable insights; Practice Advocacy: Act as a champion for the Design Research discipline; Mentorship & Standards: Establish and enforce Design Research standards, tools, and processes and provide coaching to junior team members.

Requirements

BA/BS degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, Design (Interaction, Product, Industrial, Graphic), or a related field (or equivalent practical experience); A minimum of 7 years of dedicated experience in Design Research, ideally with a proven track record of driving projects end-to-end; Deep technical understanding of design research theory, tools, and a robust working knowledge of a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies; Proven experience successfully embedding within and collaborating across cross-functional product and engineering teams; Business Acumen: Ability to effortlessly connect granular research findings to high-level business goals and strategic product decisions; Navigating Ambiguity: A proactive, self-starting mindset with strong judgment and the ability to drive projects independently from concept to completion through ambiguous landscapes; Facilitation & Collaboration: Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with an open-minded approach to feedback and diverse perspectives; Lean Mindset: A lean approach to research—knowing how to balance speed and rigor to deliver maximum value without unnecessary overhead.

Nice to have

MA/MS degree or specialized certification in HCI, Psychology, Anthropology, Design, or a related field; Experience navigating large, complex organizations and thriving within an Agile product development environment; Direct experience contributing to the successful launch of a commercial digital offering; Direct experience researching or designing for AI-based applications and emerging technologies; A deep appreciation for and mastery of “Design Thinking” frameworks.

Benefits

subsidized health, vision, and dental plans; paid sick leave; retirement plans with a match; free online training through Aquent Gymnasium