Associate Researcher, Consumer and Market Insights

At Square Enix, we’re passionate about understanding players, including how they play, what they love, and what makes game experiences unforgettable. We’re looking for a curious, thoughtful, and enthusiastic Associate Researcher to join our team and grow alongside us.

This is a hands‑on, entry‑level role designed for someone early in their research career who is excited to build a strong foundation in consumer and market insights , with exposure to games user research along the way. If you love games, enjoy digging into data and player behavior, and are excited by the idea of helping teams make better decisions through research, we would love to hear from you.

As an Associate Researcher, you will work closely with the Associate Manager and the broader Consumer and Market Insights team to support research projects across a variety of game titles. You will be involved throughout the research lifecycle on multiple projects, while learning how insights are developed and applied in a games context.

Your work will include:

• Supporting the planning, execution, and reporting of research projects across multiple titles by helping the team meet key milestones and deadlines.
• Assisting with research activities such as drafting RFPs, contributing to questionnaires and discussion guides, supporting survey programming and testing, and monitoring fieldwork and quotas.
• Analyzing and organize research findings by summarizing key takeaways and contributing to data synthesis and insight development.
• Supporting coordination with internal teams and external research partners, including gathering bids, tracking timelines, and gaining exposure to vendors, tools, and methodologies.
• Assisting with day‑to‑day project execution, including recruitment coordination, fieldwork logistics, data gathering, and preparation of materials for research reports and IP equity reviews.
• Pulling from multiple data sources, including primary research, secondary research, syndicated data, industry reporting, dashboards, and social listening, to identify insights.
• Supporting research operations such as partner onboarding, documentation needs, privacy and risk checklists, invoicing workflows, and maintenance of internal research assets.

Requirements

We are excited about curious, motivated early‑career researchers who are eager to learn, collaborate, and grow, and who are genuinely interested in games and the people who play them. You do not need to check every box, but passion for understanding players and building strong research fundamentals will help you thrive in this role.

• Research experience with a preference for agency background: Some exposure to market research, consumer insights, or analytics through internships, agency market research experience, entry‑level roles, coursework, part‑time roles, or academic research projects.
• Strong interest in gaming and player experiences: Actively engage with video games and gaming culture and are curious about what drives player behavior, discovery, and engagement. Familiarity with Square Enix titles is a strong plus, and candidates who have spent time playing Final Fantasy XIV will feel especially comfortable thinking about player motivations, communities, and long‑term engagement
• Data Driven and analytical: Comfortable working with data to identify trends and insights, including both structured (i.e. data and hard numbers) and unstructured (i.e. interviews and qualitative) data.
• Experience with research tools and software: Working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word is expected. Experience with survey platforms, dashboards, or statistical tools such as SPSS, Q, Alchemer, Decipher, Qualtrics, or similar software is a plus, along with enthusiasm for learning new tools and methodologies over time.
• Curious, detail‑oriented, and organized: Naturally interested in the “why" and enjoy digging beneath the surface to understand what makes players and consumers tick.
• Clear and proactive communicator: Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally, ask thoughtful questions, explain findings simply, and work well with cross‑functional partners.
• Organized and able to juggle priorities: Comfortable managing multiple tasks and deadlines, staying organized, and keeping projects moving forward with reliability and care.
• Collaborative and growth‑oriented: Enjoy working with others, value feedback, and bring a positive, proactive mindset to your work. You’re willing to roll up your sleeves, contribute where needed, and continuously build your skills.

Benefits

• 100% Medical, Dental, Vision coverage- with the option to add a spouse/domestic partner and children at 2% of the premium.
• Medical FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and Dependent Care FSA (Flexible Spending Account) to help pay for medical expenses, childcare or adult care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Wellness programs- mental health resources, counseling, financial wellbeing, support for future moms, a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program hotline, and much more.
• Generous leave- from the start you can earn up to 25 days of PTO, we observe 13 major holiday and provide job protected leave for life’s unexpected moments.
• 401K auto enrollment and employer-match contribution.
• Be among the first to get copies of every game title, plus receive generous discounts on thousands of games in our library.
• Refer our next new team member and receive a $1000 bonus.

Purpose & Values

Purpose: Creating New Worlds with Boundless Imagination to Enhance People’s Lives.

Values:

• Deliver Unforgettable Experiences
• Embrace Challenges
• Act Swiftly
• Stronger Together
• Continuously Evolve
• Cultivate Integrity

Annual Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000