Senior Manager, Design Research

Visa; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Senior Manager in Design Research, where you will lead client innovation initiatives through qualitative research. This hybrid role emphasizes creativity and collaboration, allowing you to translate complex insights into compelling narratives that drive results. You'll work closely with various teams to establish best practices and mentor junior members, all while navigating the dynamic landscape of user research. If you're passionate about human-centered design and thrive in ambiguous environments, this is the perfect opportunity to make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in user research or related fields.
• Strong analytical and communication skills with a client-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Conduct qualitative research phases from scoping to reporting.
• Translate complex findings into actionable insights and narratives.
• Mentor junior team members and facilitate design thinking workshops.

Skills

Qualitative Research

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Client-Focused Approach

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Advanced Degree (e.g., Master's)

PhD

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Manager, Design Research role at Visa.

Visa is a global leader in payments and technology, facilitating over 259 billion transactions annually across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through an innovative, secure, and reliable payments network, helping individuals, businesses, and economies thrive. We aim to uplift everyone, everywhere, by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Job Description

The Product Experience Design & Digital (PxD+D) team, as part of Visa Consulting and Analytics (VCA), focuses on solving complex business problems through a customer-centric approach, creating insights that enhance our clients’ products and services. Our team comprises innovative thinkers and strategic problem solvers, blending analytical rigor with creativity.

The Senior Manager, Research, will lead Visa’s client innovation initiatives by uncovering customer attitudes, behaviors, and needs. You will oversee research projects, delivering insights, journeys, blueprints, and personas that clarify complex challenges. This role suits someone comfortable in ambiguous environments, translating research into compelling stories and tangible outcomes. It is an individual contributor role with mentorship opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct all phases of qualitative research, including scoping, recruiting, strategy, execution, synthesis, and reporting.
• Translate complex findings into compelling stories and artifacts for actionable insights.
• Explain the benefits of various research methods to internal teams and clients.
• Collaborate with strategy, design, and other teams to craft comprehensive narratives.
• Establish best practices for research tools, templates, and processes.
• Facilitate design thinking workshops with clients and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior team members, assign tasks, define timelines, and review deliverables.

Essential Functions

• Embrace creativity, optimism, ambiguity, and a fast-failing mindset.
• Experience working on complex, ambiguous problems and driving results.
• Strong analytical, collaborative, and diplomatic skills, with excellent presentation and communication abilities.
• Client-focused with professional maturity in interactions.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, capable of managing multiple workstreams.

This is a hybrid position; in-office days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: 8+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 5+ years with an advanced degree, or 2+ years with a PhD.

Preferred Qualifications: 9+ years with a Bachelor’s, 7+ with an advanced degree, or 3+ with a PhD; degrees in Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, or related fields; 10+ years in user research; expertise in Service Design; deep understanding of human-centered design; experience in fast-paced consulting environments; strong relationship-building skills; excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

Visa is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in the selection process.