Kevin Newton

Research Leader @LinkedIn

ActorResearcherUX/UI DesignerProduct Designer🐦 Design🧨 Consulting🎥 Entertainment🧮 EducationLecturerCustomer Researcher

Kevin Newton is a seasoned research expert currently serving as a Research Leader at LinkedIn. With a strong background in analytics, Kevin specializes in utilizing data to drive strategic decision-making and optimize business performance. He holds an impressive track record of leading cross-functional teams and managing large scale research projects. Before joining LinkedIn, he held key roles in several prestigious organizations, demonstrating exceptional skills in data analysis and research. Adept at statistical modeling and predictive analysis, Kevin is known for his ability to simplify complex data and provide actionable insights. His passion for research and analytics, combined with his leadership skills, significantly contribute to the growth and success of LinkedIn.

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Network Power<100 people

Roles

💸100%

Marketing

✨100%

Business Owner

🔥66%

Startup Founder

Geos

🇺🇸66%

United States

🇧🇷33%

Brazil

Work Background

LinkedInSenior Manager User Experience Measurement

Sep. 2022Leading the UX Measurements Team at LinkedIn – a team within our UXR Foundations Team. This team is responsible for establishing an Experience Metric, benchmarking, and supporting UX measurement efforts across the company. Previously led the UXR Programs Team at LinkedIn. A team that provided research at scale, as well as access to experiences that will make our UXRs better researchers than when they joined. Established a rapid usability program through which my small, but mighty team delivered over 75 studies and influenced top company initiatives. Established a Quantified Design Testing program through which we tested new designs on key metrics to increase confidence for high risk initiatives. This included supporting managers as they led rapid design research programs or education initiatives. I was also responsible for the strategic direction of the programs team, LinkedIn’s quantified UX initiatives, and supported the development of our internal research repository. Ultimately, our goal was to assist in taking the already-amazing LinkedIn UXR Practice to the next level of maturity.

LinkedInManager, User Experience Research Practice

Jun. 2021 - Sep. 2022San Francisco Bay AreaExpanding my current role to support all lines of business within LinkedIn. My team takes a simple approach to scaling research: -Find a real problem for the research organization or company in terms of providing the necessary research -Design a solution by understanding what needs to be true to solve the problem -(most important and most difficult) Make the solution feel easy and ensure it could be deployed consistently across the company From there we pilot with a selected area to make tweaks as necessary, and then officially launch the solution. Once it is launched we work to scale it across the different lines of business, as well as monitor for success and efficiency. I believe it is important to empower and inform anyone who wants to do user research (or is going to do so regardless) in a way that highlights their unique perspective and skillset while also layering on the rigor that comes with being a trained researcher.

LinkedInManager, User Experience Research

Oct. 2020 - Jun. 2021San Francisco Bay AreaBuilding LinkedIn's UXR centralized team. A team charged with scaling research with innovative methods to ensure product craft across the organization. Our team flexes to fit the need from offering rapid, iterative testing over many weeks to turning around an unmoderated study in a matter of days. We meet the team where they are and give them as much confidence as we can given the constraints. Creating and running UXR solutions @ scale that enable our organization to multiply their efforts and impact through systematic methods. Increasing efficiency of the research process to ensure impact at scale. Enabling an amazing team of world-class talent to be their best selves.

The University of MemphisInstructor, psychology

Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2017Greater Memphis AreaAs an instructor of Introduction to Psychology I delivered 1-2 lectures weekly. I also held office hours to ensure my student's comprehension of basic psychological concepts. I designed and administered tests throughout the semester, as well as organized and kept records of student attendance, behavior, and performance across the semester.

The University of MemphisInstructor, applied anthropology

Jan. 2017 - May. 2017Memphis, TennesseeTaught Design Anthropology. Using the basic 5-step design thinking process, I helped students re-think social media. We focused on Facebook users. This course empowered students with real world skills in research and insight building.

The University of MemphisPrimary Investigator

Aug. 2011 - May. 2015As a primary investigator at the University of Memphis I design and carry out research projects, which includes data analysis and preparing documents for publication. This has allowed me the opportunity to increase my research design skills, think critically, and examine fascinating questions.

ServiceMasterUser Experience Researcher

Feb. 2016 - Sep. 2017Greater Memphis AreaLed initiatives to quantify the user experience Implemented a new design sprint methodology to enable rapid, iterative design and testing that included constant stakeholder feedback Evangelized the necessity and value of UX research and the design thinking methodology Co-spearheaded an initiative to consolidate surveying across the brands Designed and implemented a voice of employee survey (including hierarchy mapping, role-based dashboards and super user reporting)

Tennessee Data CommonsLead User Experience Researcher

Jan. 2015 - Feb. 2016The Goal: To use behavioral economics in real world context to help individuals succeed with their own goals. To discover the needs of our clients to better design the features of our service application. To ensure that our application fits into the lives of our clients in the best possible way. Led the market discovery and design research initiatives for the app - Compass. Adapted psychological measures to understand movement towards goals Conducted ethnographic investigation into and quantitative evaluation of people's goal setting behaviors and likeliness to complete. Built relationships with local non-profits and helped to translate the goals of their organizations into accessible and effective initiative based on bottom up feedback from their clients.

Southern Growth StudioUser Experience Researcher

Nov. 2013 - Dec. 2014Memphis, TennesseeCo-led a design-thinking project to understand donors for research hospital. Conducted intercept interviews in 4 cities (100+ including other team members) to create 10+ personas, journey maps and an ethnography Anthropological/Rapid Ethnographic work