Innovation Research Lead

Brown Brothers Harriman

. Lead the research and business design function across concept pods focused on early-stage innovation .

Posted 11/4/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $160,000 - $220,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading research and business design functions, translating insights into actionable business strategies, and managing cross-functional teams to drive innovation in product development. Proficient in qualitative research methods and market analysis to support early-stage concept validation and growth.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Research LeadershipMarket SizingQualitative Research MethodsCross-Functional CollaborationInnovation Strategy Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Market Opportunity AnalysisConcept ValidationFinancial ModelingEthnographyPrototype TestingLean TestingAgile MethodologiesValue Chain BuildingJourney MappingPrimary Research Development

Soft Skills

Comfort Navigating AmbiguityTeam ManagementStakeholder Management

Tools & Technologies

AI ToolsResearch Frameworks

Industry Keywords

Financial ServicesTechInnovationNew Product Development

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the research and business design function across concept pods focused on early-stage innovation
Work closely with Product, Design, Engineering, Applied Intelligence Functional Leads, and the Market Opportunity Development team to advance ideas from concept to market
Own validation of market size and financial modeling for new concepts aligned with revenue growth goals
Define and implement research plans testing customer desirability, market size potential, and solution shape options
Guide researchers in qualitative and quantitative methods, including expert/customer segment interviews, desk research, and early market testing
Support iteration of concept direction based on research insights and sponsor feedback
Develop repeatable frameworks and tools to scale research across the innovation portfolio and broader BBH organization
Collaborate with the Applied Intelligence Functional Lead on AI tools and prompting techniques for accurate, independent, and sourceable research outputs
Lead continuous transformation of the research function and innovation practice through modern capabilities and technologies
Participate in talent management by identifying, cultivating, assessing, and developing innovation research talent and improving competency models

Requirements

What you’ll need

10–15 years of experience in research, business design, innovation, and new product development, ideally in financial services or tech
Proven ability to translate research into business strategy and concept validation
Strong understanding of market sizing, opportunity analysis, and early-stage product discovery
Fluency in qualitative research methods, including ethnography, blinded interviews, and prototype testing
Experience working in cross-functional environments with product, design, engineering, and analytics
Comfort navigating ambiguity, lean testing, and agile ways of working
Experience building, managing, and developing a research team spread over multiple working concepts
Ability to manage a complex ecosystem of internal subject matter experts and sponsors
Comfort and ability to carry research into design practices and frameworks such as value chain building, journey mapping, and developing primary research stimuli

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual target bonus
Discretionary bonuses
Profit-sharing
Long-term savings
Healthcare
Income protection
Professional development opportunities
Time off