Our success is based upon the talent of individuals who thrive in a culture of collaboration, inspiration and excellence

Radius is a global innovation and design firm with offices in Chicago, Boston, Hong Kong and Beijing. We are a product development consultancy with extensive experience in leading collaborative efforts with our clients to create meaningful design and innovation that spans cultures, technologies, and markets. Our integrated team of brand and product strategists, researchers, designers, engineers, and implementation professionals, whose holistic design thinking and development approach informs and translates strategies into breakthrough product solutions that improve experiences and enhance lives.

Responsibilities for the position include creating innovative solutions and building product and brand strategy through user centered research leadership, as well as shaping our research process and building a research practice for the Radius Chicago office. This position will work closely with our research leads in other offices to further develop and advance Radius’ global research offering and presence. As well, develop and strengthen client relationships, facilitate and lead research efforts, direct research projects and teams on programs with leadership oversight and hands-on work.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Director of Research will oversee and manage the growth, productivity, and technical capabilities of the research group for the Radius Chicago office. This individual is responsible for the technical and professional development of researchers, proactively contributing in the strategic direction of the firm, growing new and existing clients, and collaborating with other research leaders in the development of the research practice and quality of deliverables. This position reports to the managing director for the Chicago office.

 Conceptualize ways of providing new and improved value to our customers

 Contribute research knowledge and experience to product development projects

 Maintain a high standard of customer service and professional guidance

 Participate in soliciting new customers, manage and nurture existing accounts

 Promote a culture of pride, passion, and integrity

 Maintain performance reviews, professional development training, and compensation administration

 Establish and maintain a set of research department standards to ensure research excellence

 Plan and allocate the manpower of the research group, matching the capability of the staff to project requirements and assuring that the staff gets a variety of experience and is challenged to exercise their individual skills and abilities

 Collaborate with leadership team to create business plans and proposals

 Manage research department budget

 Oversee the productivity and well-being of the research group

 Recruit candidates for open positions, interview, evaluate, make recommendations to management for hires and terminations

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIRED:

 8 to 10 years of experience as a practicing researcher with focus in user research, product design, human factors

 3 to 5 years of experience managing people

 Research/Design Strategy Program Management experience

 A history of developing products with multi-disciplinary teams and leading research and/or product strategy teams from product inception (marketing direction) to production

 Demonstrable experience developing and apply innovative ways of collecting and analyzing data to uncover and describe new product opportunities, categories, features, experiences and innovations

 Experience leading research programs to investigate user workflow, goals, tasks, and experiences as well as explore consumer needs, emotive responses, expectations, and beliefs

 Leadership in defining methods and processes to guide product definition and strategy by utilizing and integrating multiple information sources (field work, web surveys, brand strategy, or market literature) while working closely with marketing teams, product strategists, designers, engineers, model makers, and interaction designers

 Experience working with consumers and designers to evaluate concepts and existing products on the market for improvement opportunities, developing design recommendations and requirements documentation

 Collaborate with clients to understand their needs for research and to leverage their domain and product knowledge

 Communicate the results of studies (either in the field or the lab) in compelling ways that your team and our clients can take action

 Understanding of usability testing, methodologies and basic statistical analyses

 Demonstrated knowledge of usability and HF/E standards and guidelines

 Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation abilities

 Ability to work in fast-paced environment and with multiple efforts running concurrently

REQUIREMENTS:

 10+ years of professional experience in research, product development, or related fields

 Experience with contextual research methods, interviewing, survey development, observational research, usability testing, heuristic analyses, and other qualitative and quantitative methods for collecting consumer needs and understanding experiences

 Ability to plan and schedule quantitative and qualitative research studies in an organized and detailed manner while being able to adapt to changes in program schedule and scope

 BS minimum, MS strongly preferred in anthropology, sociology, human factors, psychology, cognitive science, ergonomics, marketing, design, or product strategy

 Familiarity in database and other data manipulation programs (e.g., SPSS); capacity to plan and conduct statistical analysis a plus

Please email cover letter, resume and portfolio to researchjobs@.radiuspdcom

Interested candidates should include “Director of Research Chicago” in the email subject line. Our website is available for your review at www.radiuspd.com 

No phone calls please.