Director of Research
Job Description
The AI Business Solutions (ABS) team is looking for a Director of Research to help drive future of work thought leadership and marketing communications. This is a unique opportunity to help every person and every organization evolve with a rapidly changing world and not get left behind as Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes every aspect of work and business. The Director of Research plays a critical role in our research team, responsible for driving day-to-day execution of research projects and ensuring methodological rigor. The Senior Researcher will develop detailed research plans, conduct primary research activities, coordinate with cross-functional partners (including academic and customer stakeholders), and uphold high standards in documentation, analysis, and ethical compliance.The ideal candidate is an experienced researcher with impactful qualitative and quantitative skills, effective organizational abilities, and a passion for translating complex findings into practical insights. This role provides an exciting opportunity to work at the cutting edge of organizational research, shaping how companies adopt new technologies and ways of working, in partnership with world-class academic researchers and industry leaders. The Director of Research will be a driving force in transforming rigorous research findings into real-world impact within our organization and for our customers.Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.
Locations
- Redmond, Washington, United States, Redmond, Washington, United States
Salary
Salary not disclosed
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related rolesOR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 6+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related rolesOR Master's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 4+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related roles. (degree)
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 6+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related roles (degree)
- OR Master's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 4+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related roles. (degree)
- 5+ years of hands-on research experience including designing and executing complex research projects from start to finish. (degree)
- 9+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related rolesOR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 8+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related rolesOR Master's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 7+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related rolesOR Doctorate in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 5+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related roles. (degree)
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 8+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related roles (degree)
- OR Master's Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 7+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related roles (degree)
- OR Doctorate in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 5+ years experience in data science, research, marketing or business-related roles. (degree)
- 3+ years project management experience. (degree)
- 4+ years experience working with decision makers to define need and scope research to answer questions. (degree)
- 4+ years creating content that conveys a simple, clear message. (degree)
- 7+ years of hands-on research experience including designing and executing complex research projects from start to finish, preferably within a marketing organization. (degree)
- Background in behavioral research, social science experiments, user experience research, or market research. (degree)
- Experience with qualitative data analysis software (such as NVivo, Dedoose or similar) or willingness to learn, for coding and analyzing interview transcripts and notes. (degree)
- Familiarity with quantitative analysis or statistical software (such as SPSS, R, Python/Pandas, or Excel’s advanced functions). While the role is not primarily a data scientist, the ability to run or understand basic statistical analyses and to interpret data outputs is important. (degree)
- Experience with survey tools (e.g., Microsoft Forms, Qualtrics) to design and analyze surveys. (degree)
- Proficient understanding of research ethics and privacy requirements. Knowledge of GDPR and data protection principles in research, as well as experience preparing IRB submissions or following informed consent procedures. Track record of respecting confidentiality and handling sensitive data responsibly. (degree)
- Comfortable working with advanced AI tools, such as Copilot for M365, to carry out AI-empowered research processes. (degree)
Travel Requirements
3 days / week in-office
