Lead Design Researcher

About the role

Lead and advance mixed‑methods design research that informs product, service, and experience decisions across the credit union. Bring expertise in quantitative research and analytical methods, complemented by qualitative research and human‑centered design practices. Plan and execute research, translate insights into actionable recommendations, and partner with other teams to improve member experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, and execution of mixed methods quantitative and qualitative research across descriptive, generative, evaluative, and analytical research domains.
• Utilize methods including in‑depth interviews, diary studies, conjoint analysis, MaxDiff, TURF analysis, and survey‑based experimentation to inform product, service, and experience decisions.
• Design statistically sound research studies, including sampling approaches, questionnaire design, and data quality standards.
• Communicate research findings through compelling storytelling, visualizations, and presentations tailored to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Apply human‑centered design principles and methods to research planning, synthesis, and insight activation, ensuring research is grounded in member needs and business context.
• Collaborate with service designers and design strategists to inform experience orchestration, service concepts, and strategic direction.
• Represent the voice of the member, consumer, and internal customers across initiatives.
• Plan and facilitate research‑driven workshops, synthesis sessions, and stakeholder working sessions to align teams around insights and implications.
• Build trusted partnerships with product, digital, UX, marketing, operations, partnerships, and leadership teams.
• Contribute to the development and maturation of Alliant’s design research practice by elevating research rigor, strengthening evidence‑based decision‑making, and improving standards, tools, templates, and governance.
• Continuously evaluate and improve research approaches, methodologies, and tools.

Requirements

• Minimum 4‑year Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Human‑Computer Interaction, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Statistics, or related field (Graduate degree preferred).
• Minimum 3 years of design research, user research, or human‑centered research experience with demonstrated quantitative and mixed‑methods expertise (5 years preferred).
• In lieu of education: 7 years of relevant research experience with demonstrated quantitative and mixed‑methods expertise.

Pay

Typical hiring range: $92,600.00 to $144,100.00 annually. Actual compensation will be determined using factors such as experience, skills, and knowledge.

Benefits

• Health care, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Annual performance bonus
• Work from home up to 3 days a week
• Paid parental leave
• Employee discount programs
• Paid personal and sick days
• 11 paid holidays
• Education reimbursement (subject to eligibility and employment status)