Associate Director, People Research (Boston, MA)

Role Summary

We are seeking a visionary People Research Associate Director to lead the design and execution of high-impact research initiatives that shape workforce strategy and elevate organizational effectiveness. This role demands deep expertise in experimental methods, program evaluation, and storytelling with data. The People Research Associate Director will hold a PhD in a relevant field and bring a strong track record of 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.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

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 ONA; experience with visualization tools and statistical packages (SAS, R, Tableau, PowerBI) and SQL

Education

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