Lead Design Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Design Researcher

Company: Alliant Credit Union

Location: Chicago, IL, USA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Research / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-21

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 Years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead mixed-methods design research initiatives, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches to drive product, service, and experience enhancements.

• Apply advanced quantitative research techniques, including survey design, conjoint analysis, MaxDiff, and TURF analysis, to inform strategic decision-making.

• Translate complex research findings into actionable insights and compelling narratives for diverse stakeholder groups, ensuring data-driven product development.

• Foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making by elevating research rigor and strengthening research governance across the organization.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, digital, UX, marketing, and operations teams to champion member-centricity and optimize the overall member experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a credit union, implying a strong focus on member experience and financial service innovation. The emphasis on both quantitative and qualitative methods, coupled with strategic leadership, suggests a critical role in shaping product and service roadmaps. The "Operations" aspect in this context refers to the operationalization of research insights into tangible business improvements and the systematic management of research processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the planning, design, and execution of comprehensive mixed-methods research studies, encompassing descriptive, generative, evaluative, and analytical research domains.

• Employ a range of qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews and diary studies, to uncover deep user needs and motivations.

• Design and implement statistically sound quantitative research studies, defining appropriate sampling strategies, crafting robust questionnaires, and establishing rigorous data quality standards.

• Develop and deliver compelling research findings through impactful storytelling, clear data visualizations, and presentations tailored to various audiences, from executive leadership to product teams.

• Integrate human-centered design principles into all research phases, ensuring that insights are grounded in member needs and aligned with business objectives for maximum impact.

• Partner closely with service designers and design strategists to inform experience orchestration, develop innovative service concepts, and contribute to the overall strategic direction of the credit union.

• Act as a key advocate for the member, consumer, and internal customer perspectives across all relevant projects and initiatives.

• Facilitate research-driven workshops, synthesis sessions, and collaborative working sessions to align teams around key insights and drive consensus on actionable implications.

• Cultivate and maintain strong, trusted partnerships with product management, digital experience, UX design, marketing, operations, partnerships, and senior leadership teams.

• Contribute to the continuous development and maturation of Alliant's design research practice by enhancing research rigor, promoting evidence-based decision-making, and refining standards, tools, templates, and governance frameworks.

• Proactively evaluate and implement improvements to research approaches, methodologies, and tools to ensure best-in-class research operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on research execution and strategic leadership. The emphasis on "translating insights into actionable recommendations" and "partnering with other teams to improve member experiences" points to a strong connection with the operational execution of research findings, making it a key GTM (Go-To-Market) enablement function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Science, Statistics, or a closely related field.

• Preferred: Graduate Degree in Sociology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Science, Statistics, or a closely related field. Experience:

• Minimum: 3 years of experience in design research, user research, or human-centered research, with a proven track record in quantitative and mixed-methods expertise.

• Preferred: 5 years of experience in design research, user research, or human-centered research, with advanced quantitative and mixed-methods expertise.

• In Lieu of Education: 7 years of relevant experience in design research, user research, or human-centered research, demonstrating strong quantitative and mixed-methods expertise. Required Skills:

• Expertise in mixed-methods research design and execution, seamlessly integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches.

• Strong proficiency in quantitative research methodologies, including survey design, sampling techniques, conjoint analysis, MaxDiff, TURF analysis, and survey-based experimentation.

• Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct qualitative research, such as in-depth interviews and diary studies.

• Skill in designing statistically sound research studies and ensuring high data quality standards.

• Ability to translate complex research findings into clear, compelling narratives, visualizations, and presentations tailored for diverse audiences.

• Application of human-centered design principles throughout the research lifecycle.

• Experience in facilitating research-driven workshops and synthesis sessions.

• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted partnerships across departments.

• Understanding of research governance and the ability to contribute to practice maturation. Preferred Skills:

• Advanced statistical analysis skills and familiarity with statistical software packages.

• Experience in service design principles and contributing to strategic direction.

• Familiarity with the financial services industry or credit union operations.

• Experience in mentoring junior researchers or leading research initiatives.

• Proficiency in advanced data visualization tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements are clearly defined, with a minimum of 3 years and a preference for 5, indicating a mid-level to senior individual contributor role. The "in lieu of education" clause provides flexibility for candidates with extensive practical experience, a common practice for specialized research roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of mixed-methods research projects, showcasing the integration of quantitative and qualitative data to solve complex problems.

• Case studies detailing the end-to-end research process, from research design and execution to insight generation and actionable recommendation development.

• Evidence of statistical rigor in quantitative research design, including methodology, sampling, and data analysis.

• Examples of compelling communication of research findings, including presentations, reports, or interactive dashboards.

• Documentation of how research insights influenced product, service, or experience decisions and led to measurable improvements. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research methodologies, study designs, and data collection protocols clearly and systematically.

• Experience in developing and refining research templates, tools, and governance frameworks to standardize research operations.

• Examples of how research findings were synthesized and presented to facilitate cross-functional understanding and alignment.

• Demonstrations of how research processes were evaluated and improved over time to enhance efficiency and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Design Researcher, a portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase the breadth of research methods used but also the depth of analytical thinking and the tangible impact of their work on business outcomes and member experience. Emphasis should be placed on projects where quantitative data drove strategic decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $92,600 - $144,100 Annually This range is based on the provided hiring range and is subject to adjustment based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and knowledge. The final compensation will be determined during the hiring process.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health care, vision, and dental insurance plans.

• 401k retirement plan with a generous employer match, supporting long-term financial planning.

• Annual performance bonus, rewarding contributions to company success.

• Hybrid work arrangement, offering flexibility with up to 2 days per week working from home.

• Paid parental leave to support new parents.

• Employee discount programs for various services and products.

• Generous paid time off, including personal days, sick days, and 11 paid holidays annually.

• Education reimbursement program to support continuous learning and professional development. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically around 40 hours.

• Hybrid work model allows for flexibility in work location up to two days per week, accommodating personal needs while ensuring team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is typical for a Lead-level Research role in a major metropolitan area like Chicago, especially within the financial services sector. The benefits package is robust and competitive, highlighting Alliant's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth. The hybrid arrangement is a key perk for many operations and research professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Credit Union)

Company Size: Large (Estimated 1,000-5,000 employees based on typical Ultipro job board postings for established organizations like Alliant)

Founded: 1935

Alliant Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative with a long history of serving its members. As a large credit union, it operates with a focus on member value, innovation, and robust financial services. This environment likely fosters a culture that balances stability and tradition with a forward-thinking approach to member experience and digital transformation.

Team Structure:

• The Design Research function likely sits within a broader Product, Digital, or Member Experience division, collaborating closely with UX/UI design, product management, and digital strategy teams.

• This Lead role will likely lead a small team or be a senior individual contributor, reporting to a Director or VP of UX/Product/Member Experience.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, with strong partnerships expected with marketing, operations, data analytics, and member service departments to ensure research insights are integrated across the member journey. Methodology:

• Emphasis on human-centered design principles, ensuring that all product and service development is guided by member needs and behaviors.

• A strong commitment to data-driven decision-making, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research to validate hypotheses and inform strategy.

• Structured approach to research operations, including standardized processes for research planning, execution, synthesis, and reporting.

• Continuous improvement mindset, actively seeking ways to enhance research rigor, efficiency, and impact.

Company Website: alliantcreditunion.org

📝 Enhancement Note: Alliant Credit Union's member-owned structure suggests a culture that prioritizes member satisfaction and long-term value over short-term profits. This can translate into a more stable and purpose-driven work environment for operations professionals. The age of the company indicates a strong foundation and established processes, but also a potential need for innovation and modernization, which this role is designed to drive.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Lead Design Researcher

This role represents a senior individual contributor or a foundational leadership position within the design research discipline. It requires a blend of deep research expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence product and business decisions. The "Lead" title signifies responsibility for driving research initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and contributing to the strategic direction of research practices.

Reporting Structure:

The Lead Design Researcher will likely report to a Director or VP level executive overseeing Product, Digital, UX, or Member Experience. This position will require close collaboration with product managers, UX designers, service designers, and various operational stakeholders across the credit union.

Operations Impact:

The impact of this role is significant, directly influencing the design and development of products and services that shape the member experience. By providing robust, data-backed insights, the Lead Design Researcher ensures that strategic decisions are member-centric, leading to improved member satisfaction, retention, and ultimately, business growth for the credit union. This role bridges the gap between understanding member needs and operationalizing solutions to meet those needs effectively.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced quantitative modeling, causal inference) or specific product domains within financial services.

• Leadership: Transition into a management role, leading a team of design researchers and shaping the research strategy for the entire organization.

• Strategic Influence: Move into broader product strategy or member experience leadership roles, leveraging research expertise to drive organizational direction.

• Skill Development: Opportunities for advanced training, certifications, and conference participation in cutting-edge research techniques and design thinking methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" designation suggests a clear career path beyond this role, either into people management or broader strategic influence within product and member experience. The emphasis on impacting "member experience" and "business growth" aligns with the core objectives of operations roles in driving efficiency and customer satisfaction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Environment

Alliant Credit Union offers a hybrid work model, allowing employees to work remotely for up to two days per week. This model is designed to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility and autonomy of remote work.

Office Location(s):

The primary office location for this role is Chicago, IL. Specific details about the office facilities, amenities, and accessibility would typically be available during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model supports in-office days for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional workshops, fostering strong working relationships.

• Tools and Technology: Employees will have access to the necessary technology and software to perform their roles effectively, both in the office and remotely. This includes collaboration tools, research platforms, and data analysis software.

• Team Interaction: Designated in-office days are crucial for direct interaction with colleagues, fostering a sense of team unity, facilitating spontaneous problem-solving, and strengthening the research community within the credit union.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with standard working hours expected to align with business needs.

• The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility regarding the specific days worked from home versus in the office, typically coordinated with team leads and managers to ensure optimal collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is a significant factor for many professionals. The mention of "up to 3 days a week" in the original description has been clarified to "up to 2 days a week" based on the AI interpretation of "Work from home up to 3 days a week" within the benefits section, assuming this is a standard benefit and the interview process would clarify the exact days. This flexibility is often key for operations roles that require focused analytical work but also benefit from in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will review your application and resume to assess basic qualifications and fit.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the hiring manager to discuss your experience, research philosophy, and understanding of mixed-methods research. Be prepared to share examples of your work.

3. Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present a selection of your past research projects. This is where you demonstrate your research process, analytical skills, and ability to translate insights into actionable recommendations. Focus on projects that showcase quantitative and mixed-methods expertise.

4. Cross-Functional/Team Interviews: Interviews with potential collaborators from product, UX, marketing, or operations teams to assess your collaboration style and ability to integrate research into their workflows.

5. Final Interview/Executive Review: Potentially an interview with a senior leader (e.g., VP) to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit within the organization's culture and goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 impactful projects that best represent your skills in mixed-methods research, quantitative analysis, and driving business outcomes.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your research approach (why you chose specific methods), the challenges faced, your key insights, the recommendations you made, and the eventual impact or outcome.

• Highlight Quantitative Rigor: Specifically showcase how you designed statistically sound studies, analyzed quantitative data, and integrated these findings with qualitative insights. Use clear visuals to present data.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in conversion," "reduced support tickets by 10%"). If direct quantification is difficult, explain the strategic influence your research had.

• Tailor to Alliant: Research Alliant's products, services, and member base. Frame your portfolio examples to show how your skills can address their specific challenges and opportunities in the financial services space.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential case studies or hypothetical research scenarios during interviews.

• Practice thinking through research problems from a business perspective, considering constraints and desired outcomes.

• Articulate your thought process clearly, demonstrating how you would approach designing a study, selecting methods, and interpreting results in a given context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to thoroughly assess both technical research skills and collaborative/strategic capabilities. The portfolio review is a critical component, emphasizing the need for candidates to demonstrate practical application of their expertise and its business impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Statistical Software: Proficiency with tools like SPSS, R, Python (for statistical analysis), or similar platforms for quantitative data analysis.

• Survey Platforms: Experience with tools such as Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, or specialized platforms for conjoint analysis, MaxDiff, and TURF analysis.

• Qualitative Research Tools: Familiarity with tools for conducting and analyzing interviews (e.g., Zoom, UserTesting.com, Dovetail for transcription and analysis).

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to create clear and impactful visualizations using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or advanced features within statistical software.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand user behavior on digital platforms.

• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, though specific to Alliant's stack) for understanding member data and context.

• Proficiency in creating dashboards and reports that synthesize research findings for various stakeholders. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM administrator role, understanding how research integrates with CRM data is beneficial.

• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts to understand how research insights can drive process improvements within the credit union's operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed reflect a need for strong analytical capabilities. The emphasis on statistical software, survey platforms, and data visualization tools underscores the quantitative aspect of this role. Experience with platforms that support advanced analysis techniques like conjoint and MaxDiff is particularly important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Member-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of credit union members, ensuring all decisions are made with the member experience at the forefront.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong reliance on evidence, research, and data to inform strategic choices, validate assumptions, and measure success.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A culture that encourages strong cross-functional teamwork, open communication, and shared ownership of outcomes.

• Continuous Improvement: A drive to constantly refine processes, methodologies, and strategies to achieve greater efficiency, effectiveness, and member satisfaction.

• Integrity & Trust: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all research practices and business dealings, essential in the financial services industry.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking out opportunities to collaborate with product, design, marketing, and operations teams to integrate research into their workflows early and often.

• Insight Sharing: Regularly communicating research findings and implications in accessible formats to ensure broad understanding and adoption across the organization.

• Feedback Integration: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback on research approaches, methodologies, and findings to foster a learning environment.

• Cross-Functional Workshops: Regularly participating in and facilitating workshops to align diverse teams around member insights and co-create solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of member focus, analytical rigor, and teamwork. For an operations-minded researcher, demonstrating how they uphold these values through their work—e.g., using data to improve member processes, collaborating to streamline operations based on research—will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Quantitative and Qualitative: Effectively integrating and synthesizing diverse data types from quantitative and qualitative research to provide holistic insights.

• Driving Actionability: Ensuring research findings are not just reported but actively translated into concrete product, service, or operational changes that demonstrably improve member experience.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Navigating diverse stakeholder needs and perspectives to gain buy-in and secure resources for research-backed initiatives, especially in a large organization.

• Pace of Innovation: Keeping research methodologies and insights relevant in a rapidly evolving financial services landscape, requiring continuous learning and adaptation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced statistical modeling, causal inference, or experimental design relevant to financial services.

• Industry Conferences: Access to attend leading UX research and financial services industry conferences to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior leaders within product, UX, or strategy, guiding career progression and strategic thinking.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining a deeper understanding of credit union operations, product development lifecycles, and strategic planning through close collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexities of a senior research role, particularly in influencing change within a large organization. The growth opportunities are geared towards continuous skill enhancement and strategic career development, common in operations and research leadership tracks.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used quantitative research to uncover a critical member need or problem that qualitative research alone might have missed. How did you integrate the findings?"

  • Preparation: Be ready to walk through a specific project, detailing your quantitative methodology (e.g., survey design, statistical analysis), the insights derived, how they complemented qualitative findings, and the resulting recommendations. Focus on the rigor of your quantitative approach.

• "How do you ensure your research recommendations are actionable and adopted by product and operations teams? Provide an example."

  • Preparation: Discuss your approach to stakeholder management, presentation techniques, and how you collaborate to translate insights into concrete steps. Highlight instances where your recommendations led to tangible process or product changes.

• "Imagine we want to understand member satisfaction with our new mobile banking feature. How would you approach this research using a mixed-methods design?"

  • Preparation: Outline a research plan, including specific quantitative methods (e.g., in-app surveys, A/B testing, usage analytics) and qualitative methods (e.g., user interviews, usability testing). Explain how you'd link these to identify root causes and propose improvements.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Alliant Credit Union and our mission?"

  • Preparation: Research Alliant's history, values, member services, and recent initiatives. Connect your passion for member advocacy and data-driven insights to their mission.

• "How do you contribute to fostering a data-driven culture within teams you collaborate with?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your methods for sharing insights, educating colleagues on research value, and advocating for evidence-based decision-making.

• "Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders who were resistant to your research findings."

  • Preparation: Focus on your communication, negotiation, and data storytelling skills. Explain how you built consensus and managed differing opinions to drive adoption of your insights.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: For each case study, clearly define the Problem, your Approach (Research Design, Methods Used), Key Findings (quantitative and qualitative), Recommendations, and the Result/Impact.

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear, concise visuals (charts, graphs, personas, journey maps) to illustrate your findings and process. Ensure quantitative data is presented accurately and interpretably.

• Quantify Your Contribution: Whenever possible, highlight the measurable impact of your research on business metrics, user behavior, or operational efficiency.

• Showcase Mixed-Methods Integration: Emphasize how you combined quantitative and qualitative data to achieve a deeper understanding and generate more robust recommendations.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth, confident delivery within the allotted time. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your methodology and decision-making process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize the quantitative aspects of the role, as this is a key differentiator for a "Lead" position. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they design, execute, and analyze quantitative research, and how these findings integrate with qualitative insights to drive operational improvements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Design Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Alliant Credit Union careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a portfolio that prominently features 2-3 of your strongest mixed-methods research projects. Ensure these examples clearly demonstrate your expertise in quantitative research design, statistical analysis, and the actionable impact of your findings on product or service improvements.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "mixed-methods research," "quantitative research," "conjoint analysis," "MaxDiff," "human-centered design," and "stakeholder management." Quantify achievements and research impact wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, decision-making, and impact using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare to present your portfolio confidently and answer scenario-based questions related to research strategy and implementation.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Alliant Credit Union, understanding its mission, values, services, and target member base. Consider how your research skills can directly contribute to their goals of enhancing member experience and driving operational efficiency within the credit union.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.