Sr. UX Researcherr-NO C2C

THIS IS A 12+ MO W2 CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY (NO C2C OR REFERRAL FROM VENDORS)

DUE TO CLIENT RESCTRICTIONS ONLY USC AND GC HOLDERS ARE ELIGIBLE

MAX RATE: UP TO $72HR BASED ON EXPERIENCE

We are seeking a thoughtful, proactive, and articulate Senior UX Researcher to help define and shape the future of digital customer and employee experiences. In this role, you will lead end-to-end user research across the entire product lifecycle, from early generative discovery and service mapping to evaluative usability testing and post-launch optimization.

The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguous environments, transforming complex, multi-touchpoint user journeys into clear, actionable insights. You will collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, and Engineers to ensure user needs are at the center of product strategy and decision-making. Through storytelling, service design frameworks, and user-centered research, you will translate insights into meaningful product recommendations, user stories, and requirements. You will also mentor cross-functional teams on UX research best practices and present strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

• Lead the full research lifecycle, including planning, recruiting, executing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative research initiatives.
• Conduct research across discovery, concept validation, iterative design testing, and post-launch evaluation.
• Select and execute appropriate research methodologies, including:
• Contextual inquiry
• Usability testing
• Surveys
• Diary studies
• Card sorting
• Tree testing
• Field research
• Synthesize complex and sometimes conflicting data into clear, actionable insights.
• Translate findings into product recommendations, user stories, and business requirements.

• Develop and maintain service blueprints, customer journey maps, personas, and other UX artifacts.
• Identify pain points, opportunities, and dependencies across digital and operational touchpoints.
• Support strategic decision-making through customer-centered frameworks and research-driven recommendations.

• Partner closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and business stakeholders.
• Communicate research findings through compelling visual, written, and verbal storytelling.
• Influence product direction and strategic initiatives through evidence-based recommendations.
• Present research outcomes and strategic insights to executive leadership and key stakeholders.

• Manage research operations activities including participant recruitment, screener development, incentives, panel management, and repository organization.
• Establish and maintain effective research documentation and knowledge-sharing practices.
• Ensure adherence to accessibility standards, participant privacy requirements, and ethical research practices.
• Coach and mentor cross-functional teams on human-centered design principles and UX research methodologies.
• Advocate for inclusive design and accessibility throughout the product development process.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and customer-centric decision-making.

• 5+ years of dedicated UX research experience supporting complex digital products or services.
• Proven expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to independently define research objectives, manage scope, and drive projects with minimal oversight.
• Experience translating research findings into product requirements, user stories, and strategic recommendations.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Product, Design, and Engineering teams.
• Experience developing customer journey maps, service blueprints, and personas.

• Proficiency with UX research and design tools, including:
• Dovetail
• Figma
• User Testing and/or User Zoom
• Understanding of accessibility standards (WCAG), inclusive design principles, and research ethics.
• Knowledge of data privacy requirements and participant consent practices.

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Design, Information Architecture, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• Portfolio showcasing UX research projects, methodologies used, synthesis processes, and measurable business or product outcomes.

• Experience in Financial Services, Fin Tech, Automotive Technology, or other highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with analytics and reporting tools such as:
• Excel
• Power BI
• Qualtrics
• Experience presenting research strategies, findings, and recommendations to executive audiences.
• Interest in emerging research technologies, AI-enabled insights platforms, and evolving UX methodologies.
• Hybrid schedule: Four (4) days per week in the office.