OVERVIEW:

• Salary: $75K - 90K based on on experience and qualifications.
• Start date: As soon as possible.
• Hybrid work: Tuesdays and Thursdays our team works in-office.
• Working hours: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm EST
• Paid vacation: 20 days of paid time off, including 15 vacation days and 5 days of office closure, (typically over Christmas and New Year’s).
• Health Benefits: Extended health, dental, and vision coverage after three months. We offer both single and family plans, with cost-sharing options.
• Technology: Take home laptop.

THE ROLE

Sandbox is hiring a User Research & Service Design Lead to spearhead the design and execution of user-centred research studies, prototyping solutions, and the implementation of service design methodologies to shape impactful media and digital solutions for the social challenges of Sandbox’s projects. In this role, you’ll explore how media and technology, in particular AI, can drive change in education, employment, and social policy. This role will work closely with the CEO, the Director of Research & Digital Learning Initiatives, other Leads, internal team members and external partners. You will also have the opportunity to demonstrate your leadership abilities within our growing team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research, Service Design & Strategy Conceptualization and Implementation:

• Conceptualize, plan and implement user and market research with a strong focus on informing user-centred digital products, marketing campaigns and broader client strategies to meet the needs of audiences.
• Identify, recommend and implement the best research methods (e.g. interviews, shadowing, surveys, usability testing), use service design tools like user journey mapping, value proposition, service blueprints and process mapping, while leveraging the best software based on project needs.
• Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods to understand user needs, test concepts, and evaluate the impact of digital products and marketing campaigns.
• Lead data collection, analysis, and synthesis, using data visualization tools to interpret and communicate findings internally and to client teams.
• Develop clear, strategic, client-facing outputs, from research reports to client-facing presentations to outline findings or pitch new concepts or services.
• Transform insights into opportunities and structure design plans by prioritizing, benchmarking, leading workshops, testing concepts and building value propositions.
• Drive the end-to-end design process, guiding the creation of wireframes, prototypes, and media content while applying user research to test and deliver digital solutions.
• Contribute expertise and insights to proposals, grants, and business development efforts.

Project, People & Client Management:

• Translate research and service design strategies into well-scoped project plans and roadmaps.
• Serve as the main point of contact for clients and partners, ensuring clear, proactive communication, including leading project check-ins and ensuring alignment with client/partners goals and timelines.
• Manage cross-functional teams and coordinate workflows.
• Support, mentor and manage the performance of direct reports.
• Oversee external partners and vendors.

AI Strategy Implementation:

• Track AI trends in research and design, with a focus on the public sector, education and career guidance sectors, to inform campaigns, workflows and your practice.
• Spearhead the identification and implementation of strategies to leverage AI tools to support research and design work, in line with Sandbox’s AI policy. Lead generation and critical review and refinement of AI-generated outputs to improve quality and efficiency.