Design Researcher

Finance Professionals Inc.; Caledon; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in Downtown Toronto is seeking a Design Researcher to drive usability testing and research methodologies for their Gen AI desktop tool. This role involves working closely with design teams, conducting generative and evaluative research, and delivering actionable insights to optimize advisor workflows. Candidates should have substantial experience in design research, strong communication skills, and relevant education in fields such as Psychology, Design, or Computer Science. Join a team that values inclusivity and a diverse range of talents.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in research.
• Technical understanding of design research theory and tools.
• Experience with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct usability testing with advisors on design concepts.
• Draft and present research findings to stakeholders.
• Maintain a repository of research and competitive analysis.

Skills

Design research methodologies

Usability testing

Prototyping

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

BA/BS degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Design or related field

MA/MS degree in relevant field

Tools

Figma

Design research platforms (usertesting.com, Maze)

Job description

Our client, a leading financial institution inDowntown Toronto,is looking for a Design Researcher to be responsible for regular consultation with product owners, design team colleagues, and other relevant partners to identify research opportunities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with one of the Top 5 Banks in Canada.

Typical Day in role:

• Providing expert advice and guidance on the research methodologies and approaches best suited for the identified opportunities
• Conducting ongoing usability testing as needed with Client advisors on design concepts for the Gen AI desktop tool, including:
• Creation of research project plans, discussions guides, and session planning
• Working with the Gen AI tool Interaction Designer to plan and create Figma prototypes to support usability testing
• Conducting moderated and unmoderated usability testing with advisors
• Collecting, organizing, analyzing and synthesizing advisor feedback from usability testing
• Drafting and presenting research findings to colleagues and stakeholders, and working with design and product colleagues to create design and/or product recommendations based on findings
• Conducting both generative and evaluative research to support the advisor tools team in optimizing the workflow of the advisor desktop experience
• Delivering reports and findings from this research to inform the advisor workflow optimization work
• Maintaining a repository of research, environment scans, and competitive analysis regarding the use of generative AI within the workplace, by employees, advisors, agents, case managers, etc
• Delivering regular updates on this research to colleagues and program stakeholders

Must-Have Skills:

• Substantial experience in planning and conducting both generative and evaluative design research using interactive prototypes, analyzing and synthesizing large sets of research data
• Presenting research findings to senior stakeholders
• Planning and building, or collaborating with a design colleague to plan and build, Figma prototypes for usability testing
• Familiarity and some hands-on experience with a design research platform, such as usertesting.com or Maze
• Substantially contributing to and leading, as needed, the creation and maintenance of research roadmaps
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in research
• Technical understanding of design research theory/design research tools
• Working knowledge of a variety of design research methodologies
• Experience working on cross-functional teams

Nice-To-Have Skills:

• Experience conducting evaluative research on generative AI tools
• Experience in facilitating workshops is a nice-to-have.
• Appreciation for the potential of ‘design thinking’
• Experience working within a large organization and an agile environment
• Experience contributing to the launch of a digital product

Soft Skills Required:

• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Ability to collaborate with other designers and cross-functional team members
• Ability to manage stakeholders and build relationships.

Education:

• BA/BS degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Design (e.g. interaction, graphic, visual communications, product, industrial), Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science (CS), or a related field or equivalent practical experience
• MA/MS degree or certification in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Information Studies, Design (e.g. interaction, graphic, visual communications, product, industrial), Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science (CS), or a related field

Finance professional is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and clients feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. We advocate for you and welcome anyone regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, or age.