Associate Director, Design Research

The role

This person will lead and scale the Design Research practice at WHOOP. They will oversee how user feedback informs product innovation through the product lifecycle.

What you will do

• Provide strategic leadership for the design research team
• Evangelize the importance of user insights to senior leadership
• Scale research impact and set expectations for mixed-methods research
• Partner with senior team members to review research needs and guide direction
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of design researchers
• Own relationships with external research vendors
• Build a cross-functional voice of the member for product decision-making

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as human factors, design research, user experience research, design anthropology, psychology, or a related discipline
• 5+ years of experience conducting user research for physical products
• 5+ years of people management experience
• Strong mixed-methods research background
• Experience working within or alongside hardware development lifecycles
• Experience managing or partnering with external research vendors
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams, navigate ambiguity, and influence without direct authority
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Strong commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools

Benefits

• Competitive base salaries
• Meaningful equity
• Generous equity package

About the company

WHOOP is on a mission to unlock human performance and healthspan. WHOOP empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies, behaviors, and daily lives.