Human & AI Research Lead (Research & Commercial Innovation)

Why this role / Why now

AI is reshaping how organisations grow, operate and compete, but the market is increasingly clear that technical capability alone is not enough. The leaders who will create lasting advantage are those who can connect AI to human behaviour, organisational change, workforce implications and societal trust. This role is an opportunity to lead at that intersection: to shape one of The Dock's most distinctive capabilities, guide a high-calibre multidisciplinary team, and build research, thought leadership and client impact in an area that is rapidly becoming central to boardroom agendas and competitive differentiation.

Role Purpose

The Dock's Research capability is recognised across Accenture, by our clients and in the market for its distinctive perspective on the human impact of AI across organisations, societies and everyday life. It combines applied research excellence with a provocative point of view, original data led thinking and a clear ambition to challenge convention. The result is work that brings rigour, relevance and fresh perspective to some of the most important questions facing business and society.

This role will lead and evolve The Dock's Research capability, shaping a market leading agenda that combines research depth with commercial impact. The successful candidate will ensure research is client relevant, future facing and directly connected to growth, innovation and strategic differentiation. They will embed research more deeply into The Dock's portfolio, bringing critical thinking, intellectual challenge and differentiated insight to the experiences, propositions and opportunities we create.

The current team comprises approximately 14 researchers spanning behavioural science, psychology, anthropology, sociology and economics. It is a multidisciplinary, high calibre group with experience drawn from both academic and commercial environments. Diverse in outlook and rich in debate, the team is highly client centred, alert to emerging business and societal shifts, and well positioned to shape distinctive thinking in a market where human centred AI leadership is becoming an increasingly important source of competitive advantage.

Core Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for The Dock's research team, building a strong and forward looking backlog that balances intellectual rigour with applied business relevance, while fostering a culture of bold thinking, experimentation and healthy challenge.
• Develop distinctive points of view on the organisational, workforce and societal impact of AI that shape client agendas and strengthen Accenture's differentiation in the market. Translate emerging AI and behavioural insights into compelling narratives that support origination, executive engagement and growth.
• Lead the Research Community of Practice, investing in the craft, capability and development of the team so it continues to thrive in a commercial environment while remaining aligned to Accenture's strategic priorities and client needs.
• Lead high quality, market facing research programmes from framing through delivery, ensuring strong quality assurance and translating insights into propositions, offerings, experiences and revenue opportunities for both clients and Accenture.
• Build and maintain a commercially aligned portfolio of research themes, identifying emerging ideas and signals that can inform The Dock agenda, the Research community and future client opportunities.
• Lead senior client engagements, including executive workshops and C suite conversations, and support early stage origination by shaping research themes, framing investment cases and articulating the potential value of new work.
• Build a strong body of thought leadership in human centred AI and behavioural insight, distilling lessons and market signals and promoting the team's work across Accenture and beyond.

Success Measures

• Produce distinctive, high impact research that strengthens The Dock brand, inspires clients, colleagues and partners, and is known for its quality, relevance and originality rather than volume alone.
• Build a strong pipeline of research themes and projects with clear business relevance, alignment to The Dock portfolio and credible line of sight to funding, client demand and value realisation.
• Achieve stronger integration of research across The Dock portfolio, including product led work and client innovation experiences, using data, market testing and emerging methods to generate sharper hypotheses and more provocative client conversations.
• Establish visible leadership in the field of AI and its human impact, building recognition for both the individual and the team, and continuing to evolve The Dock's Research capability as a premium, differentiated service in the market.
• Develop the team's craft, confidence and commercial maturity, creating an ambitious, innovative culture that attracts talent, builds influence and secures its place in strategic conversations across The Dock and Accenture.

Candidate Profile

• Deep grounding in human sciences, behavioural research or adjacent disciplines, with a strong understanding of their relevance to business, public service and society.
• Proven ability to translate research and insight into commercial value, strategic choices and client impact, with the confidence to debate, defend and elevate the work.
• An exceptional communicator, both written and verbal, with a distinctive voice and the range to engage credibly across senior leadership, clients, partners and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong executive presence and credibility with senior stakeholders across Accenture, client organisations and partner networks.
• Experience leading teams and building high performance, intellectually curious cultures in complex and multidisciplinary environments.
• A background that may span research, strategy, consulting, innovation or marketing, combined with strong commercial judgement, financial literacy and a clear value orientation.
• Curious, resilient and comfortable leading through ambiguity, with the judgement and energy required to thrive in a fast changing corporate environment.
• The leader who will thrive in this role will combine intellectual depth with commercial instinct, and curiosity with the ability to act. They will be credible in research, confident with senior stakeholders and energised by shaping a capability that is both rigorous and market relevant. Above all, they will be motivated by the opportunity to build distinctive thought leadership, lead exceptional multidisciplinary talent and help define how organisations respond to one of the most important shifts in business and society.

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