Senior Delivery Lead, Design Research & Strategy

Highland

. Lead the creation of product, service, and ecosystem strategies connecting human insight, business priorities, and technological opportunity .

Posted 11/9/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • United StatesSenior💰 $145,000 - $165,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in design research and strategy, with a strong ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and translate insights into actionable product and service strategies. Proficient in utilizing AI-enabled research methods and modern collaborative design tools to enhance research and synthesis workflows.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Design ResearchResearch StrategyGenerative ResearchAI-Enabled ResearchClient Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Research PlansAffinity MappingData AnalysisSynthesis FrameworksProduct StrategyService StrategyMarket AnalysisUser InsightsPresentation CreationStorytelling

Soft Skills

Exceptional CommunicationFacilitation SkillsMentoringCollaborationLeadership

Tools & Technologies

MiroKeynoteExcelAI-Enabled Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Master's Degree in Design ResearchMaster's Degree in Strategy

Industry Keywords

Consulting EnvironmentMultidisciplinary TeamsClient StakeholdersResearch StrategyProduct Development

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the creation of product, service, and ecosystem strategies connecting human insight, business priorities, and technological opportunity
Co-create future visions with client leaders and facilitate workshops and collaborative working sessions
Design and lead original research using research plans, recruitment, screeners, discussion guides, and reports
Apply analysis techniques including affinity mapping and Excel to interpret market, user, and product data
Adapt generative methods for fast-cycle, product-based research supporting design and development
Lead generative research and guide evaluative and secondary research
Translate insights into business opportunities and strategic recommendations
Create storytelling, presentations, and artifacts that build shared confidence
Use AI-enabled research and synthesis methods to accelerate planning, fieldwork, analysis, and learning
Translate insights into ideas, concepts, and value propositions for clients
Lead cross-functional teams and serve as a trusted advisor to client stakeholders
Guide research, strategy, design, and product development teams
Lead critical meetings and decision-making sessions
Mentor designers, share methods and learnings, support business development, and advance Highland’s practice capabilities

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of experience in design research, research strategy, and strategic design
6+ years in a consulting environment outside of an in-house role
Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and client engagements
Strong experience translating opportunities into product and service strategies
Experience with generative and evaluative research, synthesis, and frameworks that move clients from insight to action
Experience with modern, collaborative design tools such as Miro and Keynote
Experience with AI-enabled research and synthesis workflows is highly valued
Exceptional communication, facilitation, and storytelling skills
Master's degree or equivalent experience in design research, strategy, or a related field

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus target based on overall company performance of between $6,000 and $12,000
Health, dental and vision insurance
401k retirement savings plan
Unlimited sick time
9 paid company holidays
4 weeks paid time off
40 hours of professional development time each year
$1,000 learning stipend each year
Fully paid parental leave: 12 weeks for birth mothers or 6 weeks for non-birth parents
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Life insurance, with Highland paying 100% of the premiums