Jim Dalglish
Director of Digital Strategy & UX Research
jimdalglish@mac.com | 617.308.0788 | Massachusetts, USA
www.jimdalglish-IA.com
LinkedIn Profile
Profile
Senior digital strategist and advisor with 15+ years of experience guiding mission-driven organizations through complex website and digital transformation initiatives. Proven leader in discovery, research, and strategy – translating insight into clear, actionable direction across messaging, information architecture, UX, and digital roadmaps.
Trusted partner to senior stakeholders across nonprofit, higher education, healthcare, and foundation sectors – known for navigating ambiguity, aligning cross-functional teams, and delivering research-driven strategies that support organizational goals and social impact. Specializes in building scalable research practices and enabling organizations to embed research thinking into decision-making at every level. Brings a strong storytelling mindset that helps teams and clients see possibility, make confident decisions, and move forward with clarity.
As an award-winning playwright, director, producer, and filmmaker, I bring storytelling instincts, audience empathy, and narrative clarity to every research presentation and strategic recommendation.
Selected Mission-Driven Strategy & Delivery Engagements
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Led end-to-end digital strategy for a full website redesign, from discovery through design delivery and post-launch optimization.
Conducted stakeholder interviews, audience research, and information architecture strategy.
Partnered closely with design and development teams through launch and supported A/B testing and validation efforts to refine messaging, navigation, and user experience for professional and public safety audiences.
The Rockefeller Foundation
Served as a senior digital strategist on a foundation-wide website transformation, guiding discovery, experience strategy, and content structure through design and delivery.
Translated research and stakeholder input into clear UX and IA direction, supporting the successful launch of a new website aligned with the Foundation’s mission and program priorities.
Museum of Science, Boston
Led research and digital strategy for a major website redesign supporting public education and engagement initiatives.
Worked across discovery, UX strategy, and design delivery, with post-launch testing and optimization to improve content findability, engagement, and audience experience.
Harvard Medical School – Autism Research & Education Initiative
Led research-driven digital strategy for a Harvard Medical School initiative focused on improving access to healthcare, employment, and housing resources for autistic adults and those who support them.
Conducted in-depth ethnographic and qualitative interviews with adults on the autism spectrum to understand cognitive, sensory, and communication needs, as well as the information needs of caregivers and clinicians.
Synthesized findings into actionable recommendations for content strategy, information architecture, accessibility, and user experience design – ensuring the resulting platform supported complex care and service navigation.
CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange)
Led research and strategy for new mobile applications customized for individual college programs.
Conducted usability testing, audience research, and experience evaluation to inform product strategy and UX recommendations.
This work directly supported the successful launch of CIEE’s mobile application, enabling students to research programs, apply, and manage study-abroad and global travel experiences end-to-end.
Technical Proficiencies & Research Methods
Research Methods
User Interviews, Stakeholder Interviews, Ethnographic Research, Focus Groups, Field Studies, Contextual Inquiry, Usability Testing (Moderated & Unmoderated), Survey Design, Competitive Analysis, Heuristic Evaluation
Analysis & Synthesis
Qualitative & Quantitative Data Analysis, Thematic Analysis, Affinity Mapping, Insight Synthesis, Statistical Analysis, Findings Presentation
Testing & Validation
A/B Testing, Tree Testing, Card Sorting, First-Click Testing, Design Validation, Prototype Testing, Concept Testing, Multivariate Testing
Strategic Frameworks
User Personas, Customer Journey Mapping, Service Blueprints, Task Analysis, User Flows, Mental Models, Experience Mapping, Empathy Mapping
AI-Enabled Strategy & Synthesis
AI-assisted research synthesis, insight patterning, content strategy development, strategic storytelling, rapid hypothesis testing, decision support, research democratization frameworks
Information Architecture
Sitemaps, Wireframing, Process Flows, Content Audits, Taxonomy Development, Navigation Design, IA Strategy
Research & Testing Platforms
Alchemer, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, UserZoom, UserTesting, Lookback, Optimal Workshop, Maze, Fathom, Ethnio
Design & Prototyping
Figma, Axure, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Collaboration & Documentation
Miro, Notion, Confluence, Slack, Zoom, Basecamp
Data & Productivity
Google Workspace, MS Office, Apple iWork (Keynote, Pages, Numbers), Google Analytics
AI & Writing Tools
ChatGPT (Plus & Enterprise), Claude, Gemini, Jasper, Grok (xAI) for research synthesis, insight generation, and strategic narrative development
Project Management, Media, & Video
Slack, BaseCamp, Jira, Camtasia, FinalCutPro, QLab, GarageBand
Social & Recruitment Platforms
LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, TikTok, TaskRabbit (for participant recruitment, sentiment analysis, audience engagement, and messaging validation)
Selected Clients
Higher Ed & Research:
Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Dartmouth Tuck School of Business, Yale University (School of the Environment, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, CORES), Columbia School of Law, University of Pennsylvania School of Education, University of Rochester, University of New Hampshire, Montclair State University, St. John’s University, St. Lawrence University, Tulsa Community College, Alfred University, Clark University, Oberlin University, Norwich University, Roseman University, University of Mississippi, Villanova University, Northeastern University, Illinois Tech, Boston Conservatory
Healthcare & Nonprofit
Hebrew Senior Life, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Jimmy Fund, Partners Healthcare, Tufts Health Insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, Asphalt Green, Boston Museum of Science
Finance & Enterprise
Wellington Investments, Lord Abbett, Nuveen, State Street Bank, Standard & Poor’s, GLG, Epsilon, HNW, Merrill Lynch
SaaS & E-commerce
Follett (education management platform), GLG (expert network portal), Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont (insurance finder), CIEE (study abroad mobile app), Perfectly Posh (online store), Wellington Investments (investor portal), Amtrak (ticketing system)
Travel, Media, & Publishing
The New York Times, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin, CIEE, Brightspark Travel, StudentCity
Professional Experience
Independent UX Research Consultant
SElf-Employed – Remote
11/01/2025 – present
Providing UX research and strategy consulting to agencies and organizations
Current clients include OHO Interactive (ongoing research projects)
Available for full-time leadership opportunities
Director of UX Research & Strategy
OHO Interactive, Massachusetts
1/22/2016 – 11/01/2025
Built and led OHO's entire UX research practice from the ground up over 14 years, establishing all methodologies, systems, and processes still in use today
Led strategic research engagements for 40+ higher education, healthcare, financial, SaaS, e-commerce, and nonprofit clients
Designed and facilitated user research through interviews, focus groups, field studies, surveys, and usability testing
Translated insights into actionable information architecture, content strategy, messaging, marketing, enrollment, SaaS product, and e-commerce recommendations
Developed process flows, sitemaps, and wireframes for program finder tools, investor portals, mobile apps, online stores, and content frameworks optimized for conversion
Collaborated with UX, content, product, and design teams to deliver full-funnel digital experiences, enterprise SaaS solutions, and e-commerce platforms
Presented webinars and authored widely read articles on higher ed trends, SaaS usability, e-commerce strategy, video testing, AI chatbots, and research tools
Practice Lead: Digital Strategy & User Research
OHO Interactive, Cambridge, MA
5/15/2014 – 1/22/2016
Spearheaded cross-disciplinary discovery efforts for leading clients in higher education, healthcare, SaaS, and e-commerce
Developed digital strategies and product roadmaps grounded in primary research, competitive audits, and market analysis
Led workshops and stakeholder sessions to align digital transformation, SaaS product development, and e-commerce initiatives with user needs and organizational goals
Associate Director of REsearch & Information Architecture
OHO Interactive, Cambridge, MA
5/15/2012 – 1/22/2014
Planned and executed research programs to inform information architecture, SaaS product design, e-commerce flows, and content strategy
Conducted expert interviews, surveys, and usability testing across higher education, healthcare, financial services, SaaS platforms, and online retail environments
Created site maps, wireframes, prototypes, and IA recommendations for large-scale web redesigns, SaaS portals, and digital commerce experiences
Principal Consultant – UX Strategist & Content Lead
Independent Consultant – Various Clients 2004–2012
Directed user research, content audits, and digital strategy for clients including State Street Bank, Partners Healthcare, and The New York Times
Built and tested wireframes, prototypes, and IA models to support website redesigns and platform launches
Guided branding, messaging, and content strategy efforts for both startups and enterprise clients
Senior Content Strategist
HNW, Granatar, GLG, Houghton Mifflin – Various years
Shaped editorial voice and messaging frameworks for financial and publishing clients
Created multimedia content across digital and print to support brand positioning and product marketing
Led editorial and digital operations for divisions within Houghton Mifflin Company
Conceptualized and designed several of the nation’s top digital educational games — Curious George Learns Phonics ©, Rescue Geo 1 ©, The Reading Dimension ©, and Curious George Learns to Spell © — including original character development and scriptwriting.
Collaborated with animators, software developers, and marketing teams to produce engaging gameplay, design packaging, and support successful product launches.
Creative Work & Leadership
Founder & Producing Artistic Director
Helltown Players (Nonprofit Theatre Company)
www.helltownplayers.org>>
Founded and led a mission-driven performing arts organization producing bold, socially relevant new work
Directed and produced stage plays and short and feature films featured in national and regional festivals
Managed fundraising, board development, community outreach, and strategic planning
Playwright / Director / Producer / Filmmaker
www.jimdalglish.com
Published and produced playwright with numerous regional, national, and international awards
Work featured on public radio, international stages, and independent film circuits
Applies story structure, emotional resonance, and creative direction to UX, messaging, and digital engagement
Publications & Presentations
Articles & Blog Posts
Book in Development: “Research Literacy: Building Trust, Consistency, and Impact in Research-Driven Organizations.” Co-authored with Denise da Costa Graeff. Critical and constructive examination of research democratization, centered on the Research Literacy Framework™.
Your Next Research Assistant Might Be a Bot — Here’s How I Trained Mine (2025)
View Article >>AI Is Changing How Students Choose Colleges — Here's What You Need to Know (2025)
View Article >>Colleges Are Missing the Employer Education Market — Here’s How to Catch Up (2025)
View Article >>Understanding Website User Research Approaches (2015)
View Article >>
White Papers
AI and the College Search (2025)
View White Paper >>Mobile Usability: Testing Your Website in the Real World (2011)
View White Paper >>
Webinars & Conference Talks
UXPA Boston Conference (May 2026): “Without Research Thinking, Your Democratization Program Isn’t Research. It’s Research Theater.” Co-presented with Denise da Costa Graeff. Public debut of the Research Literacy Framework™ – a diagnostic model for building research-driven organizations.
What HR Pros Really Want from Education Partners – OHO U Webinar (2025)
View >>Survey Results: How Students Research College Options – OHO U Webinar (2024)
View >>AI Unleashed: Turning Student Data into Marketing Gold – Webinar (2024)
View >>The Impact of AI Chatbots on the Prospective Student Journey – OHO U Online Conference (2023)
View >>Research Insights on the Long Homepage: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – OHO U Conference (2022)
View >>Unraveling the Customer Journey – OHO U Webinar (2020)
View >>Improving Online Lead Generation for Bank Applications: - The Face of Finance Conference, Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts, (2013)
View >>Motivatability: Driving the Clicks that Lie Beyond Usability - World Usability Day, Microsoft NERD Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts (2011)
View >>The "New New" in Usability: B2B is Going Consumer - Gilbane Conference, Weston Boston Waterfront, Boston, Massachusetts (2011)
Professional Affiliations
User Experience Professionals’ Association (UXPA)
Human Factors International (HFI)
Nielsen Norman Group (NNg)
Education
Brown University (MFA) Playwriting
University of North Dakota (BA) English with emphasis on writing, theatre, and journalism
Nielsen Norman Group (NNg) Classes, conferences, workshops