Research Director (Gamedev)

TL;DR

Research Director (Gamedev): Defining the vision, strategy, and operating model for research activities across the organization, encompassing Consumer & Market Research and User Research with an accent on delivering high quality, actionable insights to inform design, product, marketing, and business decisions. Focus on shaping how leadership and teams understand players, users, and markets, and how research is embedded into decision-making across the product lifecycle.

Location: Montreal, QC / Toronto, ON

Company

hirify.global is at the forefront of the gaming industry, crafting unforgettable experiences across PC, console, and mobile platforms.

What you will do

• Define and evolve the long‑term vision for UX, consumer, and market research, establishing best‑in‑class methodologies, quality standards, and clear frameworks across discovery, delivery, and live operations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary research team (UX, consumer, market), fostering methodological excellence, impactful storytelling, and a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
• Ensure research is strategically aligned with product, design, and commercial intentions, connecting creative ambitions, business goals, and player expectations to guide long‑term product direction.
• Support, prioritize, and coordinate research across multiple projects simultaneously, managing planning, budgets, vendor relationships, and the balance between internal and external execution.
• Translate complex insights into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership and cross‑functional partners.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in research roles, including team leadership responsibilities, with deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative methodologies across UX, consumer, and market research.
• Strong understanding of the gaming and/or entertainment industry, its dynamics, trends, audience behaviors, and the realities faced by cross‑functional teams such as production, design, marketing, and publishing.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and grow research teams, influence senior stakeholders, and drive strategic impact through clear communication, compelling storytelling, and methodological excellence.
• Advanced skills in research design, analysis, and synthesis, with the ability to define robust approaches, maintain high analytical standards, and translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Solid experience in research operations and project management, including planning, prioritization, resource allocation, vendor coordination, and budget management, with the ability to support multiple projects in parallel.
• A vision for elevating the research discipline, with the ability to evolve methodologies, introduce new practices, and strengthen the role, visibility, and strategic impact of research across the organization.

Culture & Benefits

• Dynamic, independent studio of over 1200 passionate employees.
• Studios in Toronto, Rotterdam and in the UK.
• Two core business focuses: Services and Original Games.
• Collaborates with gaming and entertainment giants like Disney, Sony, Activision, and Nintendo.