Associate Director, UX Research

About Us

We turn customer challenges into growth opportunities.

Material is a global strategy partner to the world’s most recognizable brands and innovative companies. Our people around the globe thrive by helping organizations design and deliver rewarding customer experiences.

We use deep human insights, design innovation and data to create experiences powered by modern technology. Our approaches speed engagement and growth for the companies we work with and transform relationships between businesses and the people they serve.

About UX Research At Material

Our mission is to create transformative customer experiences lies in our growing UX research and design practice - a diverse group of designers, thinkers, and creators spread across the globe. We don't just design; we tell stories, we unravel complexities, and we create omnichannel experiences that resonate. Our projects span from reimagining digital interfaces for Fortune 500 companies to implementing new mobile experiences for fast-growing startups. To provide top-tier service to our broad array of clients, we pay special attention to the selection and application of various dynamic research methodologies and study designs that inform tailored, groundbreaking solutions to meet the unique needs of each research project.

Material’s UX Researchers bridge the gap between rich insights and actionable design, turning data points into compelling screen-based user experiences. Rather than relying on trends or personal taste, this team delves into data, user feedback, and business objectives to inform and propose solutions. Then, they partner with technologists, engineers and product managers to bring designs to market through an agile methodology. Projects range in scope and type, from new-to-the-world app and website creation, to feature enhancements and optimizations for existing products, to the creation of new design language systems and more.

About The Associate Director, UX Research Role

We are seeking an experienced UX Researcher as an end-to-end driver on qualitative projects for one of the world's most innovative and influential tech companies.. As a researcher within the Design practice, you will be expected to uphold the standards for high-quality UX research, ensuring the research you conduct and insights and recommendations you deliver improve the experience of users and support product and business goals. Additionally, as an Associate Director you will be responsible for leading research and assisting with guiding strategies for internal and external development.

As Associate Director, UX Research you will

Lead the Research:

• Guide and lead all aspects of research execution from study design through presentation of findings and recommendations.
• Conduct research that gathers user behaviors, needs, wants and perceptions to inform more effective design decisions, recommendations and solutions.
• Maintain high quality standards for UX research, ensuring the work you deliver is strategic, improves the experience of users, and supports product and business goals.
• Utilize various research methodologies, practices and platforms to conduct dynamic research.
• Assists in recruiting with screener creation.
• Craft reports and findings for read outs and distribution as final deliverables.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to align research efforts with business goals and user needs.
• Communicate insights, design ideas and recommendations clearly and persuasively to create alignment around solutions.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging design patterns and technology advancements to drive innovative solutions.
• Advocate for UX Research within the company and with external partners.
  
  
  

Assist with Research Team management:

• Candidates should be eager to help shape a mid to large sized team, while continuing to learn and hone their craft under the guidance of experienced Directors.
  
  
  

Drive growth for Research & Design:

• Assist in supporting new business development and scoping of project work in partnership with Client Partners and Product Managers.
• Provide advice and guidance to clients, coaching them on how to effectively incorporate research into their product strategies to achieve better outcomes.
• Assist in identifying research solutions in project work that are scalable and create new opportunities for Material.
  
  
  

Communicate with Clients and Client Partners:

• Establish and maintain client communications regarding research, maintaining a professional and collaborative relationship while also incorporating client feedback and guide into the work in progress.
• Support new business development and scoping of project work in partnership with Client Partners and Product Managers.
• Provide advice and guidance to clients, coaching them on how to effectively incorporate research into their design and product strategies to achieve better outcomes.
  
  
  

About You

• 7+ years of related work experience as an industry UX Researcher or similar role.
• Strategic and nimble thinker who can rapidly ideate and assist with contributing to business growth.
• Experienced in designing, facilitating and moderating qualitative or mixed methods research.
• Experienced Qualitative or mixed methods UX Researcher capable of rapid wave research with quick turnarounds, at times, possibly working on several projects at once.
• Candidates should be experienced and well versed in foundational, generative, evaluative and exploratory research.
• Familiar with a broad array of research methodologies, including but not limited to: interview, survey, thematic analysis, diary studies, usability testing, focus groups, prototype testing, participant observation, persona creation, journey mapping, and UX heuristic evaluation.
• Comfortable with owning the entire research process end-to-end with minimal oversight.
• Developing discussion guides, conducting research and analysis, writing/reading out the report, etc.
• A confident communicator with both internal cross-functional teams and external clients.
• Candidates will be responsible for client communications and expected to maintain a professional and collaborative relationship, incorporating client feedback and guidance into the work in progress.
• Strong slide deck building and presentation skills.
• Research investigations include: usability, discoverability, accessibility, concept testing and overall user sentiment on UIs and various feature prototypes.
• Impeccable written and verbal communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent presentation and persuasion skills.
• Familiarity with various research and communication platforms (Google Meet, Discuss.io, UserTesting, etc.).
• Experienced with Figma, Miro and other digital visualization or collaboration tools.
• Experienced with study recruitment processes and/or working with recruitment vendors
• Team spirit; strong communication skills to collaborate and help lead various stakeholders and team members both in person and remotely. Effectively requests and receives feedback, developing cross-disciplinary trusted relationships.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, ability to translate user needs into effective design solutions.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• An eye for how to identify and surface new opportunities with current clients.
• Preferred, but not required: Experience managing researchers with an exceptional track record of building and empowering your team to help them grow and succeed, including establishing and streamlining workflows and operations.
• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in UX Research or related field (psychology, information science, UX design, computer science, etc.)
  
  

Why work for Material?

In addition to fulfilling, high-impact work, company culture and benefits are integral to determining if a job is a right fit for you. Here’s a bit about who we are and highlights around what we offer.

Who We Are & What We Care About

• Material is a global company and we work with best-of-class brands worldwide. We also create and launch new brands and products, putting innovation and value creation at the center of our practice. Our clients are in the top of their class, across industry sectors from technology to retail, transportation, finance and healthcare.
• Material employees join a peer group of exceptionally talented colleagues across the company, the country, and even the world. We develop capabilities, craft and leading-edge market offerings across seven global practices including strategy and insights, design, data & analytics, technology and tracking. Our engagement management team makes it all hum for clients.
• We prize inclusion and interconnectedness. We amplify our impact through the people, perspectives, and expertise we engage in our work. Our commitment to deep human understanding combined with a science & systems approach uniquely equips us to bring a rich frame of reference to our work.
• A community focused on learning and making an impact. Material is an outcomes focused company. We create experiences that matter, create new value and make a difference in people's lives.
  
  
  

What We Offer

In addition to Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and FSA, Material offers:

• A work environment that works best for you. Whether that’s fully remote, in one of our offices, or hybrid.
• Flexible & synchronous time off. We trust our colleagues to take responsibility for and manage their workloads. That’s why we offer Flexible Time Off along with synchronous companywide closures and 11 company holidays.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Every parent deserves to spend the first few months of their new child’s life with them.
• Help planning for your future. We offer 401K match, as well as periodic financial wellness and planning sessions throughout the year.
  
  
  

Pay Range: $83,600.00-110,500.00

The range shown represents a grouping of relevant ranges currently in use at Material. Actual range for this position may differ, depending on location and specific skillset required for the work itself.

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