Opening / Selling Statement - We are currently recruiting for a Senior Innovation Research Specialist to join our fast-
paced Innovation team! In this role you will work as part of a high-performance team responsible for the discovery of new digital products, services, and businesses from idea through Minimum Valuable Product.
This dynamic role will be integral to both our research and design functions.
The Senior Innovation Research Specialist will use research tools and techniques to validate potential value propositions and product and service concepts; as well as the usability of early-stage products, services, and businesses. They must be fluent in observational research (and broader qualitative methods) and bring a set of ethnographic techniques that can be applied within and across both physical and virtual contexts. They will also support all research efforts in iteratively defining potential concepts for products, services and businesses using various prototyping techniques. They must be fluent in all key methods and tools for supporting excellence in experience design, with a particular focus on digital product design. The Senior Innovation Research & Design Specialist must be experienced with iterative collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams.
Job Duties - Participate in the collaborative definition of the vision for new products, services or businesses
Observational and design research to uncover clues that point to latent, unarticulated needs and gather expressed needs; frame both into opportunities
Review existing 2nd and 3rd party research on competitors, target customer segments,
geographies, and new markets
Help concept owners to articulate clear hypotheses and design qualitative research efforts to test and prove/disprove hypotheses
Implement research projects from inception to completion including RFP management, vendor selection, data integrity, and ensure excellence in insights
Support iteration of concept vision and requirements in response to research insights
Continuously iterate solution concepts using all manner of methods, from hand-drawn sketches to journey maps, wireframes and early-stage digital products and interfaces
Support engagement with prospects and customers to test concepts and better understand what the market needs
Job Requirements - 5+ years of professional experience in design research, financial services/technology, product management or related.
Experience and understanding of product management, innovation and financial modelling
Experience and understanding of digital product and service design and development
Proficiency with CX, UX and UI design principles
Excellent analytical, interpersonal written and verbal communications skills with the ability to curate, organize and make sense of high volumes of data
Proven track record in designing intuitive product concepts
Proficiency with one or more design-driven, SaaS collaboration platforms, e.g., Miro, Mural,
Confluence, Figma
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Desired Skills & Experience - Previous experience at a consultancy/ agency or in-house agency with projects that had business oriented outcomes.
MBA, more business focused, and have a sense of what that can do for the business when it comes to design and research.
