Director, Research

Who We Are

2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.

Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of 2K’s portfolio currently includes several AAA, sports and entertainment brands, including global powerhouse NBA®️ 2K,  renowned BioShock®️, Borderlands®️, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization®️ and XCOM®️ brands; popular WWE®️ 2K and WWE®️ SuperCard franchises, TopSpin 2K25, as well as the critically and commercially acclaimed PGA TOUR®️ 2K

At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role.  If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!

What We Need

We are seeking an experienced Director of Research  to lead a talented team of researchers in order to understand our Players’ underlying needs, motivations and pain points to drive game development and marketing innovation and  enhanced gaming experiences on the Insights & Analytics team. You will play an important role in supporting our Marketing and Strategy teams by providing player insights and recommendations based on rigorous primary and secondary research and data analysis. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of inspiring and influencing creative development via Market Research and Consumer Insights. This individual will work cross-functionally with marketing, strategy, and data science teams to ensure that player insights are used to drive innovative marketing campaigns and effective product positioning.

What You’ll Do

• You will oversee a team that works closely with games development and publishing teams to uncover insights and create actionable strategies for each R&D and unreleased game franchises, ensuring alignment with a bold, player-centric vision.
• Build and nurture relationships both within the organization and externally, fostering collaboration that advances strategic objectives.
• Identify, design, and execute research studies to identify player preferences and behaviors that impact marketing decisions and commercial performance.
• Design surveys, conduct IDIs, focus groups, and other research methodologies to gather consumer insights and measure key performance metrics.
• Present research findings and recommendations to senior leadership in a clear and compelling manner.
• Collaborate with external research vendors to design and execute studies, and ensure high-quality deliverables are met within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Lead global, tactical and foundational research to drive marketing and product strategy for our portfolio of titles.
• Manage budgets and contribute to spend efficiency discussions.
• Mentor and guide junior team members in research best practices.

What Will Make You A Great Fit

• 10+ years of experience in insights and market research or related field, with a focus on mixed-methods research (agency or client-side).
• 2+ years of senior leadership experience, managing and inspiring teams as well as fostering cross-functional relationships across the business.
• Collaborator Mindset -  Strong interpersonal and communication skills and superior collaborator with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships both within the team and with cross-functional partners.
• Broad Research Toolkit - Comfortable integrating multiple data sources (e.g. surveys, behavioral data, qualitative interviews, desktop research, social listening) with the ability to craft compelling and cohesive narratives .
• Analytical Skills - Experience leading survey-related research (e.g., questionnaires, advanced sampling and weighting strategies).
• Comfortable integrating multiple data sources (e.g. surveys, behavioral data, qualitative interviews, desktop research, social listening) with the ability to craft compelling and cohesive narratives .
• Experience conducting consumer research in the media, entertainment, or games industries.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex methodologies and models in simple terms to non-technical stakeholders.

Bonus Points

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in market research, psychology, social science, statistics, mathematics or a related field.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills, with familiarity in statistical software packages (e.g. SPSS, SAS, R and/or NumPy, etc.)
• Passion for video games and knowledge of the video game industry is a plus.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $149,800 and $221,680 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an 'at-will position' and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.