Senior Design Researcher

Sylver Consulting is looking to hire immediately a SENIOR Design Researcher who has the skills, know-how, and organization to successfully and efficiently manage and execute projects at the intersection of market research, design, user experience and strategy. We'd like to speak to candidates with proven success in managing mid- to large-scale market research and user experience projects and delivering actionable recommendations that support innovation, branding and new product development initiatives.

We're looking for candidates who are comfortable working in an entrepreneurial environment and passionate to explore ways to deepen insight gained on project work (i.e., exploring ways to marry qualitative and quantitative methods in more meaningful ways, challenging the status quo of how things are done when existing methods fail to deliver the insight needed at the level required).

Sylver's new SENIOR Design Researcher must also be committed 100% to prospect, plan and execute research & strategy studies with a level of rigor in project design and data analysis that is defensible. This is a mid-level research position and will report directly to the management of the company.

• Commencement: Immediately
• Location: Hybrid - Mostly remote, Evanston-IL office at times. This position reports to the Evanston office with skilled and motivated professionals working together (online and/or in-person) in a creative and collaborative team environment.
• Qualifications: Bachelor's and/or Master's Degree in relevant fields, such as Design, Psychology, Business (market research focus), Anthropology, Sociology, or Economics, with past experience in User Experience, Innovation, Design Thinking or Customer Experience.
• Benefits: Negotiable salary based on experience level (70-80k), 401(K) employer matching program, healthcare stipend, 15 PTO days, major holidays and bonuses.

Requirements:

Experience must include a minimum of 8 years of full-time work experience in market research, design research, consumer insights, user experience or customer experience. Prior experience in managing innovation, new product development, and brand positioning research projects is a plus.

Demonstrated knowledge of multiple design research methods, inclusive of ethnography; remote research techniques, such as online qualitative research, customer journaling, and cultural probes; customer journey mapping; design thinking ideation workshops; in-home usage tests; persona-based research; focus groups, co-creation sessions, and listening labs are a must. Experience with more traditional market research methods is also valued.

Must be able to conduct/manage multiple projects and lead research teams with ease (between 3-5 projects simultaneously).

Ability to bring new projects and help grow the business.

Demonstrated ability to analyze and synthesize data to deliver actionable suggestions and recommendations.

Comfort working in different research scopes, from broad, exploratory studies to narrow, evaluative studies.

Must have strong communication, client management, project management and presentation skills.

Must be able to facilitate meetings and workshops with exceptional written, oral, and presentation skills. Excellent creative and objective writing skills are needed to run research projects as well as new marketing material development.

Exceptional organizational skills and keen attention to detail.

Must be available and willing to travel approximately 10-20% of the time (assuming post pandemic).

Must be able to work independently with little supervision.

Experience working in both B2B and B2C sectors is a plus. Foreign language skills are also advantageous.

Experience in coordinating and conducting global research or innovation programs is also a plus.

Must have the legal right to work in the U.S.A.

Duties: The primary responsibility of the SENIOR Design Researcher is to execute and manage (when needed) research projects while helping to grow the business and develop Sylver's reputation as an excellent supplier in Innovation and Consumer Insights. This means that you will take a lead, client-facing role in the project's coordination, execution and performance in terms of schedule, quality, client expectations, and budget. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Engage with clients to fully understand their business challenges, issues, and objectives.

Respond to client research requests or request for proposals (RFPs) by outlining a recommended research design, methodology, timing and cost estimates.

Plan research projects to best address our client's research and business needs within the constraints of the budget and timeline provided.

Design or assist with the design of research questionnaires, screeners and other key research instruments to address research objectives.

Oversee vendor relationships for tasks or processes that are outsourced. Ensuring that research is implemented in an appropriate and cost-effective manner and that data is turned into useful and actionable information.

Engage in the analysis and syntheses of research data to deliver actionable recommendations.

Interprete data and developing impactful reports with insightful, actionable recommendations and strategies. Ensuring project scope fits within the budget and timeline estimates of projects.

Take initiative to create and execute internal projects designed to grow the business and advance the company, support business development and enrich yourself professionally.

Manage existing client relationships and support new client development activities. Attend client meetings and presentations as needed.

Contribute to the entrepreneurial atmosphere and energy of Sylver Consulting, for example by offering ideas and suggestions for growing the business, improving processes and/or services, and sharing your personal knowledge and experience about research, innovation, and strategy with the Sylver Consulting staff.

Support the future development of Sylver's various hybrid qual./quant. research methodologies and branding tools.

Jumping in to lend a hand or support on activities that might not be within your wheelhouse.

Performing other duties as required.

We are very excited to find the right person who will flourish in an entrepreneurial environment. We are looking for someone who approaches his/her work with a "go-getting, roll up your sleeves" type of attitude; someone who can "own" the research and strategy practices and is excited to help build the brand of Sylver Consulting as world-class innovation research and strategy company.