UX Researcher

UX Researcher - Contract - Vienna, VA/Hybrid - $45.00 - $50.33/hr.

The final salary or hourly wage, as applicable, paid to each candidate/applicant for this position is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's/applicant's qualifications, skills, and level of experience as well as the geographical location of the position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship not available.

Our client is seeking a UX Researcher in Vienna, VA/Hybrid.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

To assist in planning, leading and formulating user-centered design strategies and solutions for experiences and initiatives using insights and inputs gathered from moderately complex profile research projects, psychology and user experience (UX) best practices. Serve as a change agent, looking for new ways to solve moderately complex problems. Work cross-functionally to conduct research and perform analysis to uncover opportunities and formulate innovative solutions that deliver value and create exceptional experiences. Works under limited supervision from higher level peers and/or leadership on moderately complex projects and analysis. Exercises judgement within defined procedures and practices.

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 upwards and laterally to drive 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, in order to inform both user and business problems and deliver measurable outcomes
Create artifacts, educational tools, experiences and processes that help build and evangelize UX Research within the larger organization
Collaborate with business partners, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to champion a centric approach to products and services based on findings and feedback
Serve as liaison regarding moderately complex research and how the findings relate to other channel services
Utilize established strategies and tools to achieve and enhance value for users more efficiently and effectively
Perform moderately complex analysis to quantify the benefit and value of potential
features/enhancements to enable justification and prioritization
Lead user experience initiatives with assignments across work streams
Perform other duties as assigned

SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Experience in user experience/market/consumer research, project management, and analysis in support of strategic planning initiatives
Well-versed in multiple research methodologies, such as 1:1 usability studies - both in-person and remote, ethnography, contextual interviews, innovation and co-design workshops, journey mapping, eye-tracking, unmoderated usability, focus groups, card sorting, persona development, surveys, site-intercept, benchmarking, and other user testing techniques
Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects with minimal direction
Experience using third-party UX research platforms to recruit participants and conduct studies
Experience with quantitative market research methods to enable effective partnership with market researchers
Experience in quantitative, behavioral analysis and statistical concepts
Experience creating research deliverables (frameworks, videos, toplines, etc.)
Working knowledge of financial industry best practices/trends, products and services
Effective and proficient word processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation skills
Advanced planning, organizational, and problem solving skills
Desired - background in related fields such as tech, product development, design
Desired - experience with design thinking
Desired - Master's Degree Human Factors, Social Science, Strategy, Market Research,
Psychology, Information Technology, Design, Cognitive Science, and/or the equivalent
combination of education, training or experience
NOT LOOKING FOR A UX DESIGNER
UX Research (end-to-end research planning, execution, analysis, and reporting)
Qualitative Research Methods (usability testing, interviews, focus groups, ethnographic research, contextual inquiry)
Journey Mapping & Experience Mapping
User Story Development & User-Centered Design
Research Synthesis & Insights Generation (turning findings into recommendations)
Stakeholder Management & Executive Communication
Quantitative Research & Surveys (behavioral analysis, metrics, statistical concepts)
Agile / Scrum Environment Experience
Cross-Functional Collaboration (Product, Design, Marketing, Business teams)
Presentation & Storytelling Skills (communicating findings in compelling ways)
3-5 years exp

Benefits/Other Compensation

Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, 401K.

Why Hays?

You will be working with a professional recruiter who has intimate knowledge of the industry and market trends. Your Hays recruiter will lead you through a thorough screening process in order to understand your skills, experience, needs, and drivers. You will also get support on resume writing, interview tips, and career planning, so when there's a position you really want, you're fully prepared to get it.

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Hays is committed to building a thriving culture of diversity that embraces people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better we serve our candidates, clients, and employees. We are an equal employment opportunity employer, and we comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, HIV-positive status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. One of Hays' guiding principles is 'do the right thing'.
We also believe that actions speak louder than words.
In that regard, we train our staff on ensuring inclusivity throughout the entire recruitment process and counsel our clients on these principles. If you have any questions about Hays or any of our processes, please contact us.

In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, Hays will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the company. Any qualified applicant or consultant with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should call or text .

Drug testing may be required; please contact a recruiter for more information.

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