
August 11, 2025
Kristian
Williams
Agile researcher, with a behavioural insight focus
Victoria
Brand statement
Career Journey
Career Story
Born and bred into an adhoc and bespoke research agency at Colmar Brunton (RIP), I'm very much on the tools and a do'er. I've worked my way through a few agency roles, from automative dig data specialist, Melbourne research director, client-side design researcher, to behavioural science advocate. But that's the fun of it right, moving around, learning and growing. Without it, what's the point?
Career Highlight
Career Goal
Experience
Experience 1
Experience 2
Experience 3
[{"role":"Freelance researcher","company":"Bolt freelance","endYear":"","endMonth":"","location":"Remote","startYear":"2023","startMonth":"1","currentRole":true,"description":"<p>Found a need within the design research space for a super fast, nimble freelance consultancy business. Expanded the scope of our offering to traditional ad hoc/bespoke research methods, and behavioural science practices. Servicing over 15 clients across 5 Australian states and 4 countries. Offering both bolt-on team support for agencies in need of additional capacity, through to full-end-to-end project delivery. Servicing a spectrum of clients, from multi-national brands to small tech start-ups. Covering 20+ industries and counting, including financial services, technology, health and deathcare, e-commerce & more. Operating as a mixed-methods specialist, running everything from surveys, digital ethno and usability, to in-home discovery.</p>"}, {"role":"Account Director","company":"TRA (The Research Agency)","endYear":"2023","endMonth":"1","location":"Melbourne, Australia","startYear":"2022","startMonth":"8","currentRole":false,"description":"<p>Tasked with helping grow the new Melbourne arm of TRA; balancing research, sales and building team culture. Operating in an agile 'start up' style environment, drawing on satellite teams to service evolving needs of a new business. Full end-to-end research delivery, from interrogating client problems, conducting fieldwork to delivery and socialisation. Identifying opportunities to build in and apply behavioural science and cultural insight to solve client challenges. Adding design & UX capability into the research toolkit, opening up new opportunities to meet a wider range of TRA's client needs.</p>"}, {"role":"Design Research Manager","company":"ANZ & ANZ Plus","endYear":"2022","endMonth":"8","location":"Melbourne, Australia","startYear":"2021","startMonth":"","currentRole":false,"description":"<p>Co-managing all Design Research for ANZ’s new bank, ANZ Plus, pre & post it’s 2022 launch. Lead researcher across 4 value streams (business units), specifically catering to 16+ Service & Experience designers. Responsible for all in-house research, utilising a range of mixed method practices i.e. interviews, groups, surveys & unmoderated. Socialisation & ‘insight influence’ core components of the role, regularly performing insight ‘roadshows’ for stakeholder, stream & broader business buy-in. Developed the Lean & Agile research framework within the design community, adding speed & diversity of insight into existing practices. Tasked with driving the trial & adoption of research technology, mobile first & remote methods. Mentoring designers with the view to enable & democratise design research capability within the value streams.</p>"}, {"role":"Research Director","company":"Potentiate (now Platform One)","endYear":"2021","endMonth":"","location":"Melbourne, Australia","startYear":"2019","startMonth":"11","currentRole":false,"description":"<p>Leading the Melbourne arm of the bespoke research business. Responsible for account and client relationships, working with some of Australia’s largest Financial Services, Retail & Automotive brands. Working with the sales team to generate & cultivate new business opportunities. Working cross-functional across all product streams, including bespoke research, insight communities, CX programs & data innovation and visualisation. Presenting and socialising our research outcomes throughout our client’s business and ensuring we have buy-in from stakeholders. Actively involved in Senior Leadership meetings and a part of the business’ practical action team. Leading a team of 2 researchers – both senior & junior – and mentoring the next generation of researchers. Proactively upskilling in predictive & prescriptive analytical capability, including the utilisation of R, to add new capability to the business & our clients.</p>"}]
Career & Personal Growth
My career goal is...
Create an agency model that eliminates burnout.
Who knows what that looks like at the moment, a non-for-profit agency? A freelance studio (something I'm working on building now)? Or even just something simple like a 4 day work week. It's something I'm truly passionate about having been through it myself.
My personal goal is...
Cycling 550km+ from Seoul to Busan in Korean.
(quite a bit of work to do yet before I get this one ticked off...)
Vision of Success
What success looks like to me..
In five years time, I want to be...
Pursuits
What I want to make or do...
I want to take on more...
Red Flags & Focus Areas
Stop me if I ever...
I want to take on less..
Contact Information
Work Preference
Prefered Working Location
Anywhere!
Work Preference
WIP
Expertise & Skills
Primary Expertise
Market Research & Consumer Insights
Secondary Expertise
Design
Seniority Level
10 - 15 years
Key Skill
Adaptability,Caring,Collaboration,Conceptual thinking,Creative thinking,Dependability,Growth,Flexibility,Motivating,Observing,Open-mindedness,Positivity,Presenting,Rephrasing,Researching,Resilience,Respect,Storytelling
Impact
What type of impact are you interested in making?
Impact By Numbers
Flair
Beyond the Bio
Fun fact 1
Fun fact 2
Fun fact 3
Learning