Discover

The Opportunity

Toronto, ON
Information Technology
Experienced
Full-time

Highline BETA is a startup co-creation and new venture development company. We're on a mission to help entrepreneurs and enterprises build better ventures.

  • Through our corporate programs, we help enterprises speed their path to partnership, investment, or launch - and move before the market does.
  • Through new venture development, we partner with enterprises and founders to launch stuff that matters.
  • Through our investment vehicles, we provide seed and pre-seed funding to co-created companies and to startups tackling corporate challenges.

As a New Venture Director - User Research, you thrive on working on a diverse set of projects with corporate clients, focused on user research, problem discovery and new venture development.

For more insight into the kind of work you'd be involved in take a look at this case study of our work building and executing accelerators with AB InBev.

What you'll do

Responsibilities

  • Conduct user research and early discovery / problem validation on new opportunities; including interviewing, immersion, observation, early prototyping and more
  • Facilitate bootcamps that introduce corporate partners and accelerator teams to Lean Startup and Design Thinking methodologies
  • Develop content that helps continually support clients and partners as they build ventures while also coaching teams through the ups and downs of the venture journey
  • Focus primarily on early, qualitative user research into new problem areas (versus product/feature-level user research)
  • Help create & support new ventures with our clients through the application of Lean Startup and Design Thinking methodologies (e.g. research, problem validation, experimentation, prototyping, etc.)
  • Get your hands dirty with more than one venture or project at a time
  • Guide clients through doing (versus telling) to empower them towards new venture creation

What you'll need

Qualifications

You're perfect for this role if you:

  • Have had a role in user research or heavily involving user research of some kind (e.g. product management, product design, user experience)
  • Have a strong interest in both Highline BETA's mission and corporate innovation
  • Are a doer above all else -- read: get shit done.
  • Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and a curiosity for new industries, trends and ventures
  • Believe in the efficacy and value of Lean Startup / Design Thinking (e.g. getting out of the building, interviewing, researching, prototyping, learning, etc.)
  • Enjoy a diversity of projects and work. This role calls for lots of context shifting.
  • Are comfortable being uncomfortable and learning on the fly
  • Have a strong, team-oriented work ethic with a willingness to work independently and autonomously (comfortable with travel as well)

Qualifications:

  • 3+ years experience in user research, using a variety of techniques (i.e. interviewing, field studies, surveying, etc.) both in qualitative and quantitative areas
  • Experience in digital / technology industries
  • Experience in startups is a bonus
  • Proven experience in applying problem solving skills (quantitative, conceptual, analytical)
  • Comfortable with interacting with senior level executives and investors
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

We're looking for

Core Skills

Design Thinking Lean Startup User Research Venture Development Workshop Facilitation

A little bit about us

Highline Beta

At Highline Beta, we celebrate our inclusive work environment and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and will work with you to meet your needs. If you are a person with a disability and require assistance during the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out!