Lead Consumer Researcher

Bankrate is seeking a Lead Consumer Researcher to champion consumer insights across the organization and help shape the future of our financial products. In this role, you will partner with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Business Leaders to uncover user needs, validate new product concepts, and identify product-market fit and expansion opportunities.

You will be the subject matter expert and enabler for research: running high-impact studies, guiding others to conduct lightweight tests, and ensuring our research platforms are effectively utilized.

This role is open to remote or hybrid candidates (East coast preference), with hybrid being central to our New York, NY or Charlotte area offices. Must be able to work Eastern Standard Time hours.

What You’ll Do:

Product & Strategy Partnership

• Partner with Product Managers to inform product-market fit, opportunity sizing, and expansion strategies.
• Translate insights into actionable recommendations that influence product roadmaps.

Research Execution

• Lead mixed-method studies including interviews, usability testing, diary studies, surveys, market sizing, and segmentation.
• Synthesize insights from qualitative and quantitative data to drive clarity in ambiguous problem spaces.

Research Operations & Tools

• Manage research platforms (e.g., Userlytics, UserTesting, dscout, Qualtrics)—ensuring credits are efficiently used, contracts are optimized, and future platform needs are evaluated.
• Collaborate with procurement and vendors to maximize the value of research solutions.

Evangelization & Democratization

• Create scalable research frameworks, playbooks, and training for Designers, PMs, and Engineers to conduct low-risk, lightweight testing.
• Promote a culture of customer empathy across teams by sharing stories, artifacts, and workshops.

Leadership & Influence

• • Act as a thought leader for consumer insights at Bankrate, representing the voice of the consumer at the executive level.
  • Mentor cross-functional partners on how to interpret and apply insights.

What We’re Looking For:

• 7+ years of consumer/user research experience, including at least 3+ years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven experience influencing product strategy in fintech, financial services, or other consumer-facing industries.
• Deep expertise in qualitative (interviews, field research, usability) and quantitative (survey design, market sizing, conjoint, segmentation) methods.
• Strong ability to communicate insights in a compelling way to executives and cross-functional partners.
• Experience managing UXR platforms and vendor relationships (e.g., Userlytics, UserTesting, Qualtrics, dscout).
• Track record of building scalable research practices and empowering others to conduct lightweight studies
  
  Compensation:
  • Compensation Range: $120,000 - $180,000 per year + equity
  • New York Compensation Range: $150,000 - $225,000 per year + equity
  *Note actual salary is based on geographic location, qualifications, and experience

Additionally, the following benefits are provided by Red Ventures, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Health Insurance Coverage (medical, dental, and vision)
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Holiday Pay
• 401(k) with match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Bonding Benefit Program
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO): We believe time to rest and recharge is essential.  That’s why we offer a generous and flexible PTO policy.  Full-time employees accrue 20 days of PTO for a full calendar year annually, with an increase to 25 days after five years of service.

Who We Are:

Bankrate is redefining the future of financial decision-making. For nearly five decades, we’ve empowered tens of millions of consumers to make smarter financial choices and helped hundreds of leading financial institutions grow. Today, we’re evolving from a marketplace into a next-generation technology platform—underpinned by proprietary data, AI-driven innovation, and deep enterprise integrations. With  our track record of delivering consumers quantifiably better offers—for example, on home loans  where we lead the market—Bankrate stands at the center of the $60B U.S. financial services acquisition opportunity. As we expand through  omnichannel marketing and strategic  partnerships, and launch  unique consumer product applications, we’re building a more efficient, personalized, and connected financial ecosystem—one grounded in trust. Join us as we transform five decades of credibility into the next era of financial technology.

Red Ventures is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or any other basis protected by law. Employment at Red Ventures is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications. 

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodation where appropriate. Should you require a reasonable accommodation to apply or participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. 

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.

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