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Design Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Design Research Lead - Manager Level

Mclean, VA · On-site

$168.80K/yr

Design Research Lead - Manager Level Capital One's Experience Design (XD) organization is focused on co-creating memorable, meaningful customer and associate experiences that build our brand with ...

Design Innovation Fellows develop a unique design research project and pedagogy throughout their ... fellowship. Duties & Responsibilities: The fellowship includes developing and teaching studios and ...

Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and guiding clients to understand what makes people tick and drive strategy and ...

Conifer Research is seeking a curious and empathetic Design Researcher who is passionate about humans, learning, and guiding clients to understand what makes people tick and drive strategy and ...

Design & Research Operations sets the operational foundation for how our design and research teams function - ensuring designers can focus on craft and researchers can generate insights that ...

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Design Research information

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$37K

$106K

$142.5K

How much do design research jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for design research in the United States is $106,012.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Design Researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Researcher, you need a solid understanding of research methodologies, user experience principles, and data analysis, often supported by a degree in design, psychology, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like UserTesting, Qualtrics, and data visualization software is commonly required. Strong communication, empathy, and critical thinking skills help researchers effectively interpret insights and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure that research findings directly inform user-centered design solutions, leading to better products and experiences.

How does a Design Researcher typically collaborate with designers and product teams throughout a project?

Design Researchers work closely with designers, product managers, and engineers to ensure user insights are integrated at every stage of the development process. Early in a project, they help define user needs and pain points by conducting interviews, surveys, or usability tests. As the project progresses, they facilitate workshops, share findings through presentations or reports, and recommend design improvements based on research data. Effective communication and a collaborative mindset are essential, as researchers often act as the bridge between users and the product team.

What is design research?

Design research is a field that focuses on understanding users’ needs, behaviors, and experiences to inform and improve the design process. It combines methods from social sciences, such as interviews and observations, with design thinking principles to gather insights that help create user-centered products, services, or systems. Design researchers work closely with designers, product managers, and stakeholders to ensure that solutions are both innovative and practical, ultimately enhancing the user experience.

What is the difference between Design Research vs User Experience Designer?

AspectDesign ResearchUser Experience Designer
Primary FocusUnderstanding user needs and behaviors through research methodsDesigning and improving user interfaces and interactions
Required SkillsQualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, user interviewsWireframing, prototyping, visual design, usability testing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field studies, collaborative teamsDesign studios, product teams, cross-functional collaboration
Common UsageGathering insights to inform design decisionsCreating user-centered designs based on research findings

While both roles focus on improving user experiences, Design Research primarily involves understanding user needs through research, whereas User Experience Designers apply those insights to create and refine digital interfaces. Both roles often collaborate closely within product teams to ensure user needs are effectively addressed.

More about Design Research jobs
What cities are hiring for Design Research jobs? Cities with the most Design Research job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Research jobs? The most popular types of Design Research jobs are:
What states have the most Design Research jobs? States with the most job openings for Design Research jobs include:
Infographic showing various Design Research job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,012 per year, or $51 per hour.
Director, Sales - NA Pack & Design Research

Director, Sales - NA Pack & Design Research

NielsenIQ

Chicago, IL • Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


NielsenIQ rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 425 rated business services


Job description

Company Description

R26_0011356

This is a remote position for candidates currently living in the Unites States. 

Job Description

About this job

Exciting Opportunity: Drive the Growth of Pack & Design Research in North America

Are you passionate about unlocking the power of data to shape packaging and design strategy? We're looking for a dynamic leader to support the growth of our Pack & Design business across North America. This is a unique opportunity to develop and sell winning programs that deliver deep consumer insights, fuel marketing effectiveness, and enable clients to strengthen their ability to stand out at shelf and meet consumer needs. If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and are ready to make a measurable difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Reporting to the Practice Area Leader, you'll play a central role in driving client adoption of NielsenIQ's Pack and Design solutions. This includes working closely with commercial teams to identify and nurture sales opportunities, shape compelling proposals, support/lead pitches, and guide clients toward the right solutions for their needs. The NA Pack & Design Director of Sales is accountable for accurately managing an active sales pipeline with consistent sales forecasting as well as prospecting, value creation, negotiating and closing deals. Your focus will be on delivering high value client opportunities, contributing to revenue growth, and helping position NielsenIQ as a trusted partner in Pack & Design research. This is an important business development role for someone who thrives on collaboration, influence, and turning opportunities into results.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

  • Drive Revenue Growth
    • Identify and activate opportunities to grow Pack & Design research adoption, supporting sales teams with strategic input and expertise. This involves developing and executing targeted activation plans to engage clients and win over their partnership in Pack & Design research.
    • Drive profitable growth - ensure appropriate cost to revenue
  • Strengthen Client Relationships
    • Act as a trusted advisor, helping clients understand how our Pack & Design capabilities can address their business challenges and deliver measurable impact. This includes the preparation of high-quality, high-value responses to RFIs and RFPs and other proposals - helping craft pitches that differentiate NielsenIQ in the market and remain laser-focused on meeting client goals.
    • Craft client engagement plans alongside Account Development /Business Partner teams
  • Amplify Product Value
    • Champion our Pack & Design solutions across internal teams and with clients: Ensuring stakeholders are equipped to confidently position and promote our offerings and showcasing impact through compelling success stories and thought leadership, including external articles and LinkedIn content. Always staying informed on evolving product capabilities and market challenges to maintain relevance and credibility.
  • Enable Team Collaboration
    • Share knowledge, insights, and best practices across teams to foster alignment, build capability, and support collective success. Help shape and energize team routines and knowledge via workshops and training sessions that build capability, spark engagement, and drive performance.

Core KPIs

  • Revenue Achievement: Consistently meet or exceed assigned revenue and margin targets through strategic client engagement and solution alignment.
  • Client Conversion: Drive adoption of NielsenIQ's Pack & Design solutions by identifying opportunities and influencing decision-makers across key accounts.
  • Engagement Excellence: Deliver compelling pitches and proposals that resonate with client needs, contributing to high engagement and conversion rates.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Actively contribute to internal initiatives by sharing expertise, fostering collaboration, and supporting team development.
  • Visibility and Awareness: Elevate product visibility through impactful presentations, participation in industry events and the adaptation of high-quality sales materials.

A Little Bit About You 

Are you passionate about marketing execution elements like Packaging and Design to help drive growth? We are looking for a savvy salesperson, with a deep sense of urgency and accountability to deliver against financial targets. Can you effectively tell a story that captures the audience, no matter what level, and bring them along your journey? Are you able to work collaboratively as part of a remote team within a dynamic and challenging environment while maintaining high standards? Do you have experience in working with complex client relationships and client issue resolution? 

Qualifications

The ideal pack & design sales director is a commercially driven professional with a proven ability to win and grow large-scale programs. They thrive in a fast-paced, client-facing environment and bring deep expertise in consultative selling, solution positioning, and navigating complex sales cycles. With a strategic mindset and operational discipline, they balance immediate business needs with long-term growth ambitions-translating client needs into tailored solutions and consistently delivering commercial impact.

  • 8+ years consultative working or sales success in Packaging and Design research (or similar consumer research), with experience leading high-value pitches, proposals, and RFP responses.
  • Previous experience in consulting, analytics, or consumer research roles focused on pack & design.
  • Strong command of the impact successful pack & design activation can have on marketing impact and brand growth, with the ability to apply insights to real-world client challenges.
  • Strong business development skills, including the ability to identify client needs and translate them into actionable solutions.
  • Demonstrated thought leadership, with a clear point of view on packaging success and advertising strategy
  • Familiarity with sales processes and tools; hands-on experience in proposal development is essential.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred but not mandatory.
  • Experience with NielsenIQ or equivalent data sets is an advantage. 
  • Ability to travel to meet clients.

US Benefits

  • Comprehensive healthcare plan (medical, Rx, dental, and vision).
  • Flexible spending accounts and a Health Savings Account (including company contributions).
  • Life and AD&D insurance.
  • 401(k) retirement plan including company matching contributions.
  • Disability insurance.
  • Tuition Reimbursement.
  • Discretionary paid time off program and 11 paid holidays.
  • Flexible working environment
  • Volunteer time off
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)
Additional Information

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation of the following range: $117,500.00 - $120,000.00.  Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This role is eligible for a sales-based incentive or performance-based bonus. Other benefits include flexible working environment, comprehensive health insurance, industry-leading parental leave, life insurance, education support and more.  

Our Benefits

  • Flexible working environment
  • Volunteer time off
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including resume screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ's principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ's AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://www.nielseniq.com/global/en/ai-safety-policies.

About NIQ

NIQ is the world's leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights-delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms-NIQ delivers the Full View. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world's population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.  All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion


NielsenIQ logo

About NielsenIQ

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NielsenIQ is a global measurement and data analytics company providing the most complete and trusted view of consumers and markets in 90 countries covering 90% of the world's population. Focusing on consumer-packaged goods manufacturers and FMCG and retailers, we enable customers to defy what's possible. How? We combine unparalleled datasets, pioneering technology, and the industry's top talent to create insights that unlock innovation. Join us and change the landscape.

Industry

Business management consulting

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1923

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