Senior Researcher, Product Insights

Summary

Join Highlight, a fast-growing startup revolutionizing how brands test products, as a Customer Enablement & Research team member. You will oversee key account delivery, mentor junior researchers, and ensure Highlight operates at industry-leading standards. Responsibilities include leading research design, developing sales materials, partnering with various teams, and infusing subject matter expertise into new products. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in research design and execution, strong analytical and communication skills, and a detail-oriented mindset. This role offers the freedom to explore new capabilities and contribute to the company's growth. Highlight provides a flexible, remote work culture and comprehensive benefits.

Requirements

• 7+ years experience designing and executing research studies, including expertise in survey design, sampling techniques, data collection methods, qual and quant analysis, report writing, and presentation of results
• Experience in statistical analysis software such as SPSS, R, or Python, with a strong understanding of statistical concepts and techniques including Penalty analysis, TURF analysis, MaxDiff, and understanding of various ways to address forecasting and benchmarking needs
• Demonstrated ability to program survey questionnaires using software like Alchemer, Qualtrics or Compusense
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and storytelling reports
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex findings and recommendations to customers
• Experience leading workshops, training, and enablement sessions
• Detail-oriented mindset with a commitment to accuracy and quality in research and analysis
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Degree in Market Research, Psychology, Sensory Science, Integrated Innovation, Statistics, Behavioral Science or related field

Responsibilities

• Oversee key account delivery and mentor junior researchers
• Oversee delivery of project work tied to key accounts by guiding junior researchers in survey writing, analysis and synthesizing complex data into clear, compelling insights and actionable recommendations for customers
• Step in to run projects (or portions of projects, i.e. analysis and reporting) on your own as needs arise, ensuring all project deliverables meet quality standards and timelines; support team in adhoc needs as they come up (i.e. survey review, report review)
• Teach, enable, and mentor junior researchers on product research principles related to design, execution and data interpretation
• Unlock growth opportunities with new and existing customers
• Lead research design and scoping for deals associated with highly technical buyers, and partner with sales and customer development teams in the pitch as needed
• Develop additional sales and pitch materials (as needed) that aid in selling in Highlight’s solutions and lead associated training sessions that enable Sales and Customer Development teams to pitch confidently
• Partner with the Customer Development team on customer onsites for your set of key accounts, focused on thought leadership, research roadmapping, and expansion efforts, and new ways in for Highlight
• Infuse subject matter expertise into new products and offerings
• Partner with other SMEs to create internal and customer-facing enablement materials and documentation that communicate the Highlight research and methodology point of view and demonstrate proof of value (i.e. data quality standards, best practices, case studies, research design guides)
• Partner with other SMEs to create and pilot new methodologies, templates, and approaches that can scale across our customer base and expand our TAM (i.e. benchmarking, forecasting)
• Support Product in defining the requirements associated with new features and functionality in development, based on your knowledge of customer needs, industry best practices, and the competitive landscape

Preferred Qualifications

Deep expertise in physical product research, across quantitative and qualitative methodologies, both traditional and innovative methods is a plus

Benefits

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision) with 100% of employee premiums covered
• Unlimited PTO
• Flexible, remote WFH culture
• Access to the iconic Hearst Tower & its facilities in NYC (should you choose to ever be in person)