DESIGN RESEARCHER

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Researcher

Company: Metrobank

Location: Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Design Operations

Date Posted: March 28, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered design initiatives by providing crucial behavioral insights into customer and user needs for the Platform 11 team.

• Lead the design, execution, and analysis of mixed-method research (quantitative and qualitative) to inform product development and design strategies.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Designers, Product Managers, and Software Developers, to enhance the usability and desirability of digital products and service experiences.

• Establish, optimize, and evangelize best practices for design research methodologies, tools, and standards within a digital banking environment.

• Ensure all design research processes and outputs are compliant with relevant bank policies and regulatory requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a digital banking context, specifically for the "Platform 11" team, suggesting a focus on modernizing or enhancing digital banking services. The emphasis on "evangelizing" insights indicates a need for strong communication and advocacy skills beyond pure research. The "Design Researcher" title, with its overlap into UX and potentially DesignOps, requires a blend of research acumen and process improvement capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute mixed-method research studies (quantitative and qualitative) to understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points within the digital banking ecosystem.

• Synthesize research findings and existing customer data from various internal and external sources to identify actionable opportunities and provide data-driven guidance across all development stages (concept, design, prototyping, post-launch).

• Collaborate with UX Designers, Service Designers, Product Managers, Software Developers, and other key stakeholders to ensure designs are user-centric, usable, useful, and desirable.

• Develop, refine, and manage design research methodologies, tools, standards, and best practices to optimize the efficiency and impact of the design process within the Platform 11 team.

• Conduct training sessions for Division team members on user-centered and iterative design processes to foster a culture of design thinking and user empathy.

• Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape, and internal data to continuously improve research methods and inform strategic decisions.

• Ensure alignment of design research processes and deliverables with Metrobank's mission, vision, values, and specific division objectives.

• Engage with internal partners to understand and adhere to regulatory requirements, bank policies, and product development processes.

• Act as a change agent by introducing and advocating for best practices from Platform 11 across the broader enterprise.

• Perform other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall success of the digital transformation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: conducting hands-on research and acting as a process owner and advocate for design research best practices. The mention of "lean workflow environment" suggests an agile or iterative product development approach.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 2-5 years of experience in design research, UX research, or a similar role, with a demonstrated track record of conducting and leading user research initiatives.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Research: Proficiency in designing, conducting, and analyzing both qualitative (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, ethnography) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, analytics review) research methodologies.

• Behavioral Insights: Ability to translate research data into actionable insights that inform design decisions and business strategy.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data sets, identify patterns, and synthesize findings into clear, concise recommendations.

• Design Process Acumen: Understanding of the end-to-end product development lifecycle, including user-centered design, iterative design, and agile methodologies.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present research findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders, including senior management.

• Tool Proficiency: Familiarity with common UX research tools (e.g., survey platforms, usability testing software, analytics tools).

• Regulatory Awareness: Understanding of compliance and regulatory considerations relevant to the financial industry.

Preferred Skills:

• Visual Design & Interaction Design Fundamentals: Basic understanding of visual and interaction design principles to effectively collaborate with designers.

• Service Design: Experience or familiarity with service design principles and methodologies.

• Prototyping: Ability to work with or create low-fidelity prototypes for testing purposes.

• Design Systems: Experience working with or contributing to design systems.

• Training & Facilitation: Experience in conducting workshops or training sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience level is inferred from the "2-5 years" range and the blend of hands-on research with process development responsibilities. The education requirement is broad to accommodate various research-oriented backgrounds.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a strong understanding of design research methodologies and their application.

• Demonstrations of how research insights directly influenced product design decisions and led to measurable improvements in user experience or business outcomes.

• Case studies detailing the research process from problem definition to solution validation, including methodologies used, challenges encountered, and outcomes achieved.

• Examples of research plans, interview guides, usability test scripts, and synthesized reports.

Process Documentation:

• Experience in establishing, documenting, and optimizing design research processes and best practices.

• Ability to create clear documentation for research methodologies, workflows, and standards that can be shared and adopted by the team.

• Understanding of how to integrate research findings into broader design and development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Researcher role, a robust portfolio is critical. It needs to showcase not just the ability to conduct research, but also the strategic thinking behind research design and the impact of research findings on product development and business goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a company-sponsored retirement fund.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation leave, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Access to training, workshops, conferences, and certification programs relevant to UX research and design.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support services for personal and work-related challenges.

• Performance-Based Bonuses: Potential for annual bonuses tied to individual and company performance.

• Loan Privileges: Access to preferential loan rates for housing, vehicle, or personal needs, typical for banking institutions.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Flexibility may be available depending on team needs and project deadlines, but the role is primarily on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical compensation for mid-level UX/Design Researchers in Metro Manila, Philippines, considering the banking sector's compensation norms. Benefits are typical for a large financial institution in the Philippines.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Banking and Financial Services. Metrobank is one of the largest and most reputable universal banks in the Philippines, known for its financial strength, customer service, and commitment to nation-building.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees). This implies a structured environment with established processes, significant resources, and opportunities for career advancement within a large organization.

Founded: 1962. Metrobank has a long-standing history, providing stability and a deep understanding of the Philippine market.

Team Structure:

• The Design Researcher will be part of the "Platform 11" team, which appears to be a dedicated digital innovation or transformation unit within Metrobank.

• This team likely comprises UX Designers, Service Designers, Product Managers, Software Developers, and potentially other specialized roles focused on digital product development.

• The reporting structure will likely involve a lead or manager within the Platform 11 team, with potential dotted-line reporting or close collaboration with broader UX or digital strategy functions.

Methodology:

• The Platform 11 team likely operates with a lean, agile, or iterative product development methodology, emphasizing rapid prototyping, testing, and continuous improvement.

• Data-driven decision-making is a key aspect, with research insights forming the foundation for product strategy and design execution.

• A strong focus on user-centered design principles is expected, aiming to create intuitive and valuable digital banking experiences.

• The bank's mission and division values will guide operational approaches, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and customer trust.

Company Website: https://www.metrobank.com.ph/

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a large, established bank like Metrobank means balancing innovation with stringent regulatory compliance and a need for robust, scalable solutions. The "Platform 11" team is likely a forward-thinking initiative within this traditional structure.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-level position, often referred to as a UX Researcher II or Design Researcher. It requires independent execution of research projects, contribution to research strategy, and mentoring junior team members if applicable. The scope includes supporting a specific product team (Platform 11) and influencing design best practices.

Reporting Structure: The Design Researcher will report to a manager or lead within the Platform 11 team, possibly a Head of Product, UX Lead, or Digital Transformation Lead. Close collaboration with Product Managers and UX Designers is essential.

Operations Impact: The Design Researcher's work directly impacts the success of digital products by ensuring they meet user needs and are intuitive to use. This leads to increased customer adoption, satisfaction, and loyalty, ultimately contributing to Metrobank's revenue growth and market position in digital banking. By evangelizing user-centered design, this role helps foster a more customer-centric culture across the enterprise.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative techniques, large-scale quantitative analysis, generative AI in research).

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior Design Researcher role, leading larger research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and contributing more significantly to research strategy.

• Management: Move into a UX Research Manager or Head of UX position, overseeing a team of researchers and shaping the overall UX strategy for digital products.

• Cross-Functional Roles: Leverage research insights and communication skills to move into Product Management, Service Design, or Strategic Planning roles.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to the broader UX community through speaking engagements, publications, or industry working groups focused on financial services UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth within a large bank like Metrobank often involves moving up within a specialized track or leveraging core skills for broader roles within digital transformation or product development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Metrobank operates primarily through physical branches and corporate offices. This role is based in Makati, a major business district, implying a professional corporate office environment.

Office Location(s): Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. This is a central business hub with good accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely a collaborative, open-plan office designed to facilitate interaction between team members.

• Access to modern office technology, including high-speed internet, meeting rooms equipped for presentations and video conferencing, and standard office software suites.

• Opportunities for spontaneous collaboration with designers, product managers, and developers, fostering a dynamic and innovative atmosphere for the Platform 11 team.

• The environment will balance the need for focused research work with team-based problem-solving and idea generation.

Work Schedule: The role requires regular on-site presence, Monday to Friday, aligning with typical business hours. While there might be occasional flexibility for critical deadlines, the expectation is consistent attendance at the Makati office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a corporate banking setting suggests a structured yet collaborative work environment, with an emphasis on team synergy and adherence to professional standards.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter will review applications and resumes to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely within the Platform 11 team) to delve into research experience, methodologies, and alignment with team needs.

• Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing 2-3 key projects. This will involve detailing the research problem, methodology, process, findings, and impact. Expect questions on how insights were derived and translated into actionable recommendations.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: A potential take-home assignment or in-person exercise to assess problem-solving skills, research design capabilities, or data synthesis abilities. This might involve analyzing a given scenario or dataset.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, UX Designers, Developers) to evaluate collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to integrate research into the development workflow.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or Head of Digital/UX for final approval, focusing on strategic fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your range of skills, impact, and problem-solving abilities. Prioritize projects with clear, measurable outcomes.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study to tell a compelling narrative: the problem, your role and approach, the research process, key insights, how you influenced decisions, and the resulting impact (e.g., improved conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, reduced task completion times).

• Highlight Methodology: Clearly articulate why you chose specific research methods for each project and how they were adapted to the project's constraints.

• Showcase Impact: Quantify results whenever possible. If exact metrics are unavailable, describe the qualitative impact and how your work contributed to business goals.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, challenges faced, how you handled conflicting feedback, and how you collaborate with non-researchers.

• Tailor to Metrobank: If possible, demonstrate an understanding of the financial services industry and how your research skills can address its unique challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem relevant to digital banking (e.g., improving user onboarding, designing a new feature for mobile payments, understanding customer trust in digital channels).

• Practice articulating your thought process for designing a research study, selecting participants, and analyzing data.

• Prepare to discuss how you would present complex research findings to a non-research audience in a concise and actionable manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a central component for this role. Candidates should prepare to articulate the "why" and "how" behind their research decisions and demonstrate tangible impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Survey Platforms: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms for designing and distributing surveys.

• Usability Testing Software: Lookback, UserTesting.com, Maze, or similar tools for remote and in-person usability testing.

• Analytics Platforms: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal BI tools for analyzing user behavior data.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Asana for project management and documentation.

• Design & Prototyping Tools (Familiarity): Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD – understanding how these tools are used by designers is beneficial for collaboration and co-creation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for creating dashboards and reports to communicate findings.

• Spreadsheet Software: Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation and basic analysis.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (Understanding): Familiarity with how CRM data (e.g., customer interactions, feedback) can be leveraged for research insights. Metrobank likely uses a robust internal CRM.

• Customer Data Platforms (CDP): Potential exposure to CDPs for unified customer data.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily research-focused, familiarity with the broader digital product development stack, including analytics and design tools, is highly advantageous for effective collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A core value, driving all design and development efforts to meet customer needs and expectations. Research findings are paramount in upholding this.

• Integrity & Trust: Essential in the banking sector. Design research must be conducted ethically, and findings must be presented transparently to build trust with users and stakeholders.

• Excellence: Striving for high-quality execution in research design, analysis, and reporting to ensure impactful contributions.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (design, product, engineering, business) to achieve shared goals and drive innovation.

• Innovation: Embracing new methods and technologies to improve research effectiveness and contribute to the development of cutting-edge digital banking solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The Design Researcher is expected to be an integrated member of the Platform 11 team, actively participating in team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and design critiques.

• Data-Driven Dialogue: Fostering discussions grounded in user data and research insights to inform strategic and tactical decisions.

• Feedback Exchange: Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback on research plans, methodologies, and findings to continuously improve the research process and its outputs.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing research learnings and best practices with the team and wider organization to elevate the overall understanding of user needs and design thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: Metrobank's values, particularly integrity and trust, are critical in the financial sector. The design research function must operate with the highest ethical standards and a commitment to transparency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Navigating the constraints of a highly regulated industry while pushing for innovative digital solutions. Research must inform compliant and secure product designs.

• Data Silos: Integrating insights from various data sources across a large organization can be challenging. The researcher must be adept at synthesizing information from disparate systems.

• Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating complex research findings and advocating for user needs to diverse stakeholders with varying priorities and levels of understanding of UX research.

• Lean Environment Constraints: Conducting rigorous research within agile or lean workflows may require creative approaches to participant recruitment and study design.

• Measuring Impact: Demonstrating the tangible ROI of design research can sometimes be difficult, requiring strong analytical skills and storytelling abilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply specialized methodologies such as Jobs-to-be-Done, diary studies, advanced statistical analysis, or AI-assisted research.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining deep insights into the digital banking landscape, customer behaviors, and competitive strategies.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaborating closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to understand their disciplines and how research integrates.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior leaders within the digital or UX teams.

• Professional Certifications: Pursuing certifications in UX research, design thinking, or relevant agile methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in large, regulated industries moving towards digital transformation, making this role a significant opportunity for professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct research with limited resources or under tight deadlines. How did you adapt your methodology?" (Assesses adaptability, resourcefulness, and lean research skills.)

• "How do you prioritize research questions when faced with multiple stakeholder requests or product hypotheses?" (Evaluates strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and prioritization skills.)

• "Walk us through a research project where your insights led to a significant change in product strategy or design. What was the impact?" (Focuses on impact, storytelling, and translating insights into action.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the digital banking sector, specifically with Metrobank's Platform 11 team?" (Assesses motivation, industry interest, and understanding of the company's digital initiatives.)

• "How do you approach building trust and rapport with research participants, especially when dealing with sensitive financial information?" (Probes ethical considerations and participant management skills.)

• "Describe your experience working in a cross-functional team. How do you contribute to a collaborative environment?" (Evaluates teamwork and integration skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Clearly articulate the business problem or user need that initiated the research project.

• Detail Your Role and Process: Explain your specific contributions, the research questions you aimed to answer, and the methods you employed, justifying your choices.

• Showcase Key Insights: Present the most critical findings in a clear, concise, and impactful manner. Use compelling visuals or quotes where appropriate.

• Demonstrate Influence: Explain how your insights directly informed design or product decisions. If possible, show before-and-after examples or discuss the iteration process.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present measurable outcomes (e.g., improved metrics, user feedback trends). If quantitative data is unavailable, articulate the qualitative value and strategic implications.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate follow-up questions on methodology, participant selection, data analysis, and how you handled any challenges or unexpected findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just research execution but also strategic thinking, communication prowess, and the ability to drive tangible business impact within a regulated financial environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Metrobank careers portal linked in the job posting.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful design research projects that highlight your end-to-end process, analytical skills, and ability to drive user-centered outcomes. Ensure it is well-organized, visually appealing, and clearly articulates the problem, your approach, insights, and impact.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords and experiences directly relevant to UX research, mixed-methods research, data analysis, design process development, and the financial services industry. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear storytelling, concise explanations of methodologies, and articulating the business impact of your research. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your case studies.

• Research Metrobank: Understand Metrobank's mission, values, digital initiatives (like Platform 11), and the broader competitive landscape of digital banking in the Philippines. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions based on the provided information and general job market data. Specific details regarding salary, benefits, and exact interview processes should be confirmed directly with Metrobank during the application process.