Associate Director UX Research

About us

We turn customer challenges into growth opportunities.

Material is a global strategy partner to the worlds 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 dont 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 fastgrowing startups. To provide toptier 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.

Materials UX Researchers bridge the gap between rich insights and actionable design turning data points into compelling screenbased 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 newtotheworld 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 endtoend driver on qualitative projects for one of the worlds most innovative and influential tech companies.. As a researcher within the Design practice you will be expected to uphold the standards for highquality 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 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 crossfunctional 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 uptodate 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 endtoend with minimal oversight.

  • Developing discussion guides conducting research and analysis writing/reading out the report etc.

• A confident communicator with both internal crossfunctional 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 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 crossdisciplinary trusted relationships.

• Strong problemsolving 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.

• Bachelors or Masters Degree in UX Research or related field (psychology information science UX design computer science etc.

Why work for Material

In addition to fulfilling highimpact work company culture and benefits are integral to determining if a job is a right fit for you. Heres 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 bestofclass 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 colleaguesacross the company the country and even the world. We develop capabilities craft and leadingedge 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. Wecreate experiences that matter create new value and make a difference in peoples lives.

PayRange:$83600..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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability or any other factors prohibited by law.

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