Associate Director, People Research (Boston, MA)

Role Summary

Associate Director, People Research (Boston, MA) — Lead the design and execution of high-impact research initiatives shaping workforce strategy and organizational effectiveness. Requires deep expertise in experimental methods, program evaluation, and storytelling with data. PhD in a relevant field with a strong track record translating complex research into actionable insights for senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead End-to-End Research Design Architect and execute research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of HR programs, policies, and interventions. Plan, design and conduct experiments to understand employee sentiment, behaviors and motivation
• Drive Evidence-Based Decision Making Translate research findings into actionable insights that inform strategic decisions across HR and business units. Influence policy and program design through data-driven recommendations grounded in behavioral science and organizational psychology.
• Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams, including People Business Partners, to provide evidence-based consultation and support decision-making.
• Knowledge Management: Stay current with the latest developments in people science, research methods, and relevant technologies to ensure the rigor of the work.
• Foster a Culture of Inquiry Serve as a thought leader and internal consultant on research methodology, experimental design, and causal inference. Mentor analysts and HR partners in research best practices, elevating the organization’s analytical maturity

Qualifications

• PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Sociology, or a related field is required.
• 8–10 years of experience in HR analytics, workforce research, or organizational development.
• Knowledge of the latest trends and best practices in people research.
• Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Python, SPSS, SAS) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Familiarity with HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday) and data governance frameworks.
• Exceptional analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to distill complex concepts into simple, impactful messages.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Skills

• Ability to manage, prioritize and lead numerous projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication skills (to technical and non-technical audiences) and thought leadership experience
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong cross-functional partnerships and maintain a sound sense of purpose and direction in a changing organization
• Deep understanding of data mining, machine learning, data modeling and ONAExperience with visualization tools and statistical packages (SAS, R, Tableau, PowerBI) and SQL
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Education

• PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Behavioral Economics, Sociology, or a related field is required.

Additional Requirements

• Travel up to 25% as needed