Manager, Design Research

Think Company; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits

Ongoing opportunities for professional development

Job summary

A leading design and technology consultancy is seeking a Manager, Design Research to lead and evolve their research practice while mentoring a team of experienced researchers. In this remote-first role, you will guide research that creates impactful insights, influence product decisions, and support client engagements. The ideal candidate has a strong background in leading complex design research initiatives and mentoring researchers, bringing a consultative mindset and strong communication skills to navigate client environments. Competitive compensation and development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience managing and mentoring researchers.
• Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Ability to advise senior stakeholders using evidence-based insights.

Responsibilities

• Guide the evolution of Design Research practice.
• Lead and mentor researchers and practitioners.
• Ensure client-centered and high-quality research engagements.
• Collaborate on proposals and new opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Client consulting

Communication skills

Mentoring

Job description

At Think Company, research plays a central role in shaping thoughtful digital products and services. As Manager, Design Research, you’ll lead and evolve our research practice while guiding a team of experienced researchers working across complex client engagements.

This role blends leadership, consulting, and practice development. You’ll help define how research creates impact at Think, ensuring our teams deliver meaningful insights, influence product decisions, and strengthen our relationships with clients.

If you enjoy mentoring research leaders, shaping modern research practices, and helping teams connect evidence to business outcomes, this role offers an opportunity to influence both how we work and how we grow.

Quick Facts

• Location: Remote-first (U.S. – East Coast preferred)
• Employment type: Full-time, Exempt
• Travel: Occasional travel for client engagements, workshops, and company gatherings, including periodic in-person meetings in Philadelphia
• Salary range: $120,000 – $160,000

Requirements

What You’ll Do

• Guide the evolution of Think Company’s Design Research practice, shaping standards, frameworks, and methodologies
• Lead and mentor researchers and senior practitioners, supporting their growth as both researchers and consultants
• Ensure research engagements are high-quality, client-centered, and aligned with business outcomes
• Partner with Delivery leadership to identify risks, support complex engagements, and strengthen project outcomes
• Collaborate with Business Development teams on proposals, pitches, and research scoping for new opportunities
• Develop reusable frameworks, playbooks, and tools that improve research consistency and efficiency
• Promote responsible use of AI-enabled tools and emerging research methods to enhance research impact

What You Bring

• A track record of leading complex design research initiatives that inform product, service, or strategy decisions
• Experience managing and mentoring researchers, including supporting professional growth and performance development
• Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and when to apply them effectively
• A consultative mindset and the ability to advise senior stakeholders using evidence-based insights
• Ability to connect research strategy to measurable product, service, or business outcomes
• Strong communication skills and comfort navigating complex client environments
• Curiosity about evolving tools and technologies, including AI and how it can enhance research workflows

Nice-to-Haves

• Background in consultancy or agency environments, leading client-facing research teams
• Practice development experience, including building or scaling a research discipline
• Participation in business development, such as shaping proposals or contributing to client pitches
• Ability to grow research within existing client relationships, identifying opportunities to expand engagement
• Thought leadership contributions, such as speaking, writing, or participating in industry conversations

About Working at Think Company

Think Company is a design and technology consultancy that helps organizations solve meaningful problems through thoughtful strategy, design, and delivery.

We’re a remote-first company built around collaboration, curiosity, and clear communication. Our teams bring together designers, researchers, strategists, and technologists to tackle complex challenges across industries.

You’ll work alongside thoughtful, supportive colleagues while continuing to grow your craft, expand your influence, and shape how we work as a company.

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing opportunities for professional development.

Interested?

If this role sounds like a meaningful next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you. Submit your resume, and feel free to share a bit about your experience and what excites you about leading design research at Think Company.