UX Researcher

Job Title: UX Researcher
Location: Pensacola, FL (on-site) and San Diego, CA or Vienna, VA
Type: Contract
Work Model: Hybrid – onsite and remote

Responsibilities

• Act in a consultative and advisory role to various levels and functions within the design and product teams to identify research topics and plan research initiatives for both generative and evaluative purposes
• Identify and analyze the user experience by evaluating/leading projects end to end; developing guides and screeners, moderate, analyze, synthesize, make recommendations regarding prioritization, and deliver results
• Lead the development and maintenance of experience and journey maps throughout life cycle of projects
• Perform the gathering, analyzing, developing and creating user stories that capture the user's needs
• Conduct research using a wide variety of qualitative methods and a subset of quantitative methods, such as surveys
• Communicate and present findings in compelling and creative ways; tailor research findings to suit the audience; influence organizational change and alignment
• Package insights into tools and assets for designers, product managers and product marketing managers to leverage (personas, design principles, scenarios, live workshops or brainstorms, etc.)
• Support project team members in transforming research findings and insights into innovative solutions to inform user and business problems and deliver measurable outcomes
• Create artifacts, educational tools, experiences and processes that help build and evangelize UX Research within the organization
• Collaborate with business partners, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to champion a user-centric approach to products and services based on findings and feedback
• Serve as liaison regarding research findings and their relation to channel services
• Utilize established strategies and tools to achieve and enhance value for users efficiently and effectively
• Perform moderately complex analysis to quantify the benefit and value of potential features/enhancements for justification and prioritization
• Lead user experience initiatives across work streams
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Experience in user experience/market/consumer research, project management, and analysis supporting strategic planning initiatives
• Proficient in multiple research methodologies, including usability studies, ethnography, interviews, journey-mapping, surveys, and user testing techniques
• Ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision
• Experience using third-party UX research platforms for participant recruitment and studies
• Knowledge of quantitative market research methods and statistical concepts
• Ability to create research deliverables (frameworks, videos, toplines, etc.)
• Working knowledge of financial industry trends, products, and services
• Excellent communication skills for engaging stakeholders at all levels, building rapport, and conveying insights effectively
• Experience with Agile methodologies (Scrum, XP, Lean, etc.)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, and databases
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Preferred: Background in tech, product development, or design, experience with design thinking, Master’s Degree in Human Factors, Social Science, Psychology, or related fields