Research Lead, Customer Engagement & Design

Introduction
The Research Lead will be part of the IBM iX North America Research & Strategy craft team, a cross-disciplinary center of excellence that brings together research & strategy practitioners to share best practices, in-flight work, business results, and project details across multiple sectors and project types.

Your Role and Responsibilities
The IBM iX North American Strategy & Research team is growing quickly and in need of experts in the fields of quantitative & qualitative research. Our team is expanding as IBM's focus on experience, human needs, design thinking, and creative excellence increases.

The Research Lead role leads the design and implementation of research projects, often as part of larger executional initiatives. The right candidate will possess deep expertise in diagnosing the right research methodology, preparing the research study, conducting the research, and analyzing its outcomes. The Research Lead will collaborate with experience strategists, designers, technical architects, and both internal & external senior leaders to set up the research and communicate its findings.

Job Duties:Collaborate with project team members and senior leaders to diagnose the optimal research approach based on a foundation of expertise across multiple quantitative & qualitative research methodologies.
Conduct the preferred research methodology, inclusive of but not limited to one on one interview facilitation, on-line & off-line discussion groups, survey programming & analysis, and all other applicable methodologies.
Prepare and review complex client deliverables including the documentation and interpretation of results, reports, presentations and associated artifacts.
Integrate with experience strategists, designers, and other team members to incorporate research findings into the executional work undertaken by the broader project team.
Manage & collaborate with external research vendors as required (e.g. recruiting vendors).
Participate in the business development process to both feed insights to pitch teams as well as conceive of and execute sales plays for incremental research projects.
Redefine & evolve IBM iX's research offerings, continuously iterating on capabilities, project structures, methodologies, vendor agreements, etc.

Required Technical and Professional Expertise
A minimum of 5 years of experience in quantitative research methodologies (study set-up, execution, and analysis).
A minimum of 5 years of expertise in qualitative research methodologies (study set-up, execution, and analysis).
Experience in managing research vendor relationships, with a working knowledge of the types of vendors applicable to research project work.
Demonstrated communication and presentation skills in communicating the results of research project work to senior external clients.
Recent history of applying digital-first research methodologies in place of or in tandem with analog / offline / traditional research methodologies.

Preferred Technical and Professional Expertise
Graduate-level degree in associated field (e.g. Anthropology, Human-Centered Design).
Experience in providing research services within a consulting / agency environment.

About Business Unit
IBM Services is a team of business, strategy and technology consultants that design, build, and run foundational systems and services that is the backbone of the world's economy. IBM Services partners with the world's leading companies in over 170 countries to build smarter businesses by reimagining and reinventing through technology, with its outcome-focused methodologies, industry-leading portfolio and world class research and operations expertise leading to results-driven innovation and enduring excellence.

Your Life @ IBM
What matters to you when you're looking for your next career challenge?

Maybe you want to get involved in work that really changes the world? What about somewhere with incredible and diverse career and development opportunities - where you can truly discover your passion? Are you looking for a culture of openness, collaboration and trust - where everyone has a voice? What about all of these? If so, then IBM could be your next career challenge. Join us, not to do something better, but to attempt things you never thought possible.

Impact. Inclusion. Infinite Experiences. Do your best work ever.

About IBM
IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

Location Statement
IBM offers a wide range of resources for eligible IBMers to thrive both inside and outside of work. In addition to a competitive benefits program consisting of medical and life insurance, retirement plans, and time off, eligible employees may also have access to:

·12 weeks of paid parental bonding leave. Family care options are also available to support eligible employees during COVID-19.
·World-class training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform. IBM's learning culture supports your restless attitude to grow your skills and build the depth and scale of knowledge needed to achieve your career goals.
·Well-being programs to support mental and physical health.
·Financial programs that empower you to plan, save, and manage your money (including expert financial counseling, 401(k), IBM stock discount, etc.).
·Select educational reimbursement opportunities.
·Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups where you can network and connect with IBMers across the globe.
·Giving and volunteer programs to benefit charitable organizations and local communities.
·Discounts on retail products, services, and experiences.

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

Being You @ IBM
IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.