Associate Director of Product Development Research

• We are looking for an experienced product research leader to support product development across WHOOP’s hardware, wearables, algorithms, sensors, and advanced technology portfolio
• You’ll manage a team of research staff that own end-to-end research for early-stage innovation, physical products and apparel, and algorithm development out of WHOOP Labs Boston. You will also contribute to the broader WHOOP Labs research strategy, bringing your research expertise to the Human Subjects Research leadership team
• Develop, manage and scale the human subjects research team with an emphasis on professional development and coaching at multiple levels of seniority
• Champion research integrity, including ensuring that data collection tools and team practices are optimized for the fast-paced, complex nature of product innovation work
• Advocate for the needs of your team and their work to unlock high-volume, high-quality research on site at WHOOP Labs Boston
• Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of program initiatives and track progress towards goals
• Collaborate closely with other research leaders to build a strong culture across WHOOP Labs and ensure strong ways of working between research execution and operations teams
• Partner with stakeholders across signal engineering, machine learning, hardware, apparel, and product to coach on working with HSR and facilitate effective collaboration between teams
• Champion of culture of team trust, support, and communication, emphasizing the complexities of conducting public-facing, high-engagement activities
• Partner with the Associate Director of Lab Operations and Associate Director of WHOOP Labs Doha to build the WHOOP Labs brand across the global organization
• Reports to the Sr. Director of Human Subjects Research

Benefits

• Flexible Vacation: WHOOP has a flexible vacation policy that allows you to unwind, laptop-free, when you need it most.
• Focus on Family: We offer 18 weeks paid parental leave, plus an additional 2 weeks to gradually return to work.
• Get Invested: In addition to a competitive base salary and 401k, you’re eligible to receive stock options to share in the future of WHOOP.
• WHOOP +1: Everyone on the team gets a complimentary WHOOP membership—plus another membership to share with a loved one.
• Health Matters: Our competitive benefits package covers medical, dental, and vision, in addition to mental health services, life and disability insurance, and more.
• Find Your Fit: Full-time employees get $500 a year to spend on wellness in whatever way they see fit, from fitness classes and memberships, to recovery services.
• It Pays to Sleep: Our Sleep Performance Program incentivizes employees to get more sleep. Log an average sleep performance of 85% or higher for the month and get a $100 bonus.
• Location, Location, Location: You can’t beat the views from the rooftop of One Kenmore Square. Feel inspired daily as you work, enjoy free snacks and coffee, and collaborate in the heart of Boston.

Preferred experience

• The ideal candidate brings experience leading researchers in a fast-paced technical product environment, with particular preference for experience supporting hardware, sensors, wearables, or other physical products through iterative development cycles. This position is in-person in Boston, MA 5 days per week with travel 2-3 times per year
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills
• Familiarity with physical product development processes, including early-stage prototyping, iterative testing, hardware development timelines, and/or feasibility explorations
• Data-driven approach to strategic planning, comfortable reviewing metrics and identifying ways to measure research ROI and impact
• Passion for building a strong team culture and coaching future research leaders
• Passion for health, wellness, and WHOOP’s mission
• 2+ years of direct people management experience, with a demonstrated ability to coach and develop researchers across disciplines and levels
• 5+ years of experience in a Research Manager, Research Lead, or similar human subjects research leadership role within a technical product development environment
• Experience collaborating across multiple functions including engineering, privacy/legal, research, recruitment, and product
• Experience supporting research for consumer hardware, sensors, wearables, connected devices, or other physical products strongly preferred