Director, Applied Behavioral Science

Build an entirely new science capability at the centre of one of the most closely watched transformations in global consumer goods. A global consumer organisation, undergoing a bold, science-led transformation, is creating something that barely exists anywhere in its industry: a dedicated applied behavioral science capability, established to understand and shape how adult consumers actually decide, form habits, and change their behaviour in the real world around its next-generation products. This is a newly created, build-from-the-ground-up role. There is no existing team, no off-the-shelf strategy, and no playbook to inherit. There is a clear belief, backed at senior level, that behavioral science can unlock genuine advantage in how products, experiences and communications are designed, and an invitation for the right leader to prove it and scale it. Why this role existsThe ambition here is approached differently. Rather than pushing people toward its newer products, the company wants to understand how real behaviour is formed, in context, at the moment of choice, so that the move feels natural rather than persuaded. That means going decisively beyond what consumers say they'll do to what they actually do, and grounding decisions in observed behaviour, experimentation, and causal evidence.You will be one of the first hires that proves the value of embedding science into the business. Success in this role builds the foundation, and the credibility, for a broader capability over time. What you'll doDefine and lead a new applied behavioral science strategy - embedding behavioral thinking into proposition design, communication and commercialisation.Design, run and oversee experiments - real-world and digital, using RCTs, A/B testing, field experiments and causal-inference methods to work out what genuinely changes behaviour.Diagnose the behavioral drivers of choice -identifying and deploying mechanisms such as framing, defaults, social influence and friction across propositions and experiences.Translate behavioral theory into decision-ready inputs that shape portfolio direction, innovation priorities and go-to-market strategy. The science is never the output — what comes after it is.Build the capability itself - the frameworks, tools, standards and partnerships that let cross-functional teams apply behavioral science consistently, turning a single role into a lasting function.Set the bar for rigour, ethics and responsible application, in an environment where consumer trust and compliance are non-negotiable.Act as the internal subject-matter expert - the person who can stand in front of senior commercial and brand leadership, explain what the evidence means, and shift how decisions get made. What you'll bringThis is a rare combination, and we know it. The role needs genuine academic depth and a practitioner's instinct for real-world experimentation - most people have one or the other. We want someone who understands not just that an intervention works, but why it does, and when it won't. Preferably a PhD in behavioral science, behavioral economics, psychology, decision science, economics, or a closely related discipline with deep theoretical and applied expertise.The scientific authority to act as the internal voice of behavioural science — able to explain the theories behind your work, defend why a method or intervention is appropriate, discuss limitations and boundary conditions, and translate academic evidence into credible business decisions.Hands-on experience designing and running experiments - RCTs, A/B testing, field or digital experiments and applying causal-inference methods. You've run these, not just cited them.A deep, working command of behavioral mechanisms: choice architecture, defaults, framing, friction, social influence, and how behaviour forms and persists.A track record of turning behavioral theory into commercial, innovation and communication outcomes, not just research outputs.The seniority and presence to influence senior stakeholders across scientific, commercial and innovation communities- credibility with scientists, clarity for everyone else.Experience building and leading teams and setting a strategic vision with applied experience in industry or consultancy.A pragmatic, impact-focused mindset - comfortable building and delivering in parallel, and hunting for the early wins that prove the case. Backgrounds from leading FMCG, consumer health, behavioral consultancies, or applied research and experimentation environments are especially relevant. Location & what's on offerEurope - hybrid working model. European location flexibility if able to travel extensively to company HQ.Candidates who choose to relocate to company HQ will be fully supported.A genuinely greenfield mandate - the chance to define a function, not maintain one, with senior sponsorship and long-term commitment behind it.