Research Associate – AI Enablement Lead

Role Description

The Associate will report to Head of Americas Research and will be part of the Global Research team. This role sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data strategy, and commercial real estate research, and is responsible for identifying, developing, and embedding AI‑driven capabilities across our research function. The AI Enablement Lead will work closely with a team of multidisciplinary researchers to design and deploy AI tools that enhance the quality, speed, and depth of research outputs.

The role plays an important role, expanding our existing AI platform within the research function, translating complex analytical needs into practical, scalable solutions that draw on both internal and external data sources.

• Identify, evaluate, and implement the range of existing AI tools that enhance research productivity and analytical depth across the team.
• Enable the practical application of AI within a research context, including use cases such as market analysis, data synthesis, automation, and report generation.
• Develop and maintain best practices in conjunction with Research & IT teams to support consistent and responsible AI adoption.
• Leverage internal and external databases to design AI‑enabled research workflows and analytical frameworks.
• Partner with data and technology teams to ensure research tools are well‑integrated with existing data infrastructure and governance standards.
• Identify opportunities to enhance data accessibility and analytical capability through automation and intelligent workflows.
• Lead workshops with researchers to surface needs, align on priorities, and co‑develop AI‑driven solutions.
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of researchers spanning asset classes, geographies, and analytical disciplines to understand research needs and translate them into clear product and data specifications.
• Contribute to the development of the research team’s AI enablement roadmap, aligned with Quad Real’s broader research strategy.
• Monitor emerging AI trends, tools, and applications relevant to our Research team and provide timely recommendations to leadership.
• Support the measurement of AI initiative outcomes through defined KPIs, efficiency gains, and research impact.

• 5+ years of experience in digital enablement, change management, product management, including 2+ years in a directly AI‑focused enablement, adoption, or delivery role.
• Experience in an enterprise AI program — has seen how AI adoption plays out at scale across a large organization.

• Actively uses AI tools (Claude, Copilot, ChatGPT, or equivalent) as a daily work habit, uses AI to accelerate problem framing, and brings that builder instinct into team problem‑solving.
• Sufficient AI fluency to run credible conversations with business leaders about what AI can and cannot do — does not need to build models, but must understand LLMs, agents, and ML at a conceptual level.
• Strong collaboration skills, with ability to translate technical AI work into clear, business‑relevant language for research and investment audiences.
• Experience maintaining governance documentation and program‑level artifacts over time.
• Comfortable operating autonomously with minimal day‑to‑day direction; brings clarity and structure to ambiguity rather than waiting for it to be resolved externally.
• Familiarity with utilizing large data sets: market intelligence platforms, demographic platforms, consumer data platforms or other.
• Prior experience in a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Hold a relevant undergraduate degree, preferably with, but not limited to, an AI, Computer Science, Data Science, Business, Economic, Urban Planning, Real Estate, or a related field.

This job posting is for a newly created role within our organization.

The expected annualized base salary range for this role is $100,000 or $125,000.

Based on the position, Quad Real offers a competitive total rewards package in addition to the base pay, which may include a performance‑based incentive plan, comprehensive health & dental benefits, pension plan, and paid time off.

The actual salary offered will take into consideration a…