Senior Research Strategist

Microsoft; Ashford, Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a skilled User Experience Researcher to lead innovative workshops that drive AI transformation for clients. In this role, you'll leverage your expertise in design thinking and customer experience to create compelling solutions that resonate with stakeholders. You'll be at the forefront of research strategies, presenting holistic solutions and ensuring alignment across teams. Join a forward-thinking company committed to enhancing user experiences through cutting-edge technologies and collaborative methodologies. If you thrive in dynamic environments and are passionate about user-centered design, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Extensive User Experience Research experience is required.
• Experience in designing and facilitating workshops for business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer-facing co-creation workshops to transform business with AI.
• Communicate complex concepts and manage executive-level stakeholders.

Skills

User Experience Research

Customer Experience Design

Design Thinking

Stakeholder Management

Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction

Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction

Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction

Job description

Responsibilities (Text Only)

• Scope, design, and lead in-person and virtual customer-facing co-creation workshops that result in breakthrough ways AI can transform our customers’ business. • Excellent communicator and storyteller that can communicate complex concepts in a manner that creates enthusiasm and alignment for the proposed future state experiences. • Skilled at executive-level stakeholder management; comfortable setting and respectfully communicating expectations. • Confidently identify the best way to leverage qualitative research to support a design objective, including the area of focus and research method(s) best suited to the business objectives and customer needs. • Demonstrate experience with a wide variety of research methods (e.g., interviewing, surveys, foundational, quantitative, qualitative, etc.). Hands-on experience designing, planning, and facilitating interviews, field research, international research, and survey design. • Build connections and partnerships to deliver a persuasive outside-in customer-centric approach to enable a connected experience delivered at scale. • Drive a foundational research strategy for the team while partnering with stakeholders to define moments of truth. • Clearly and succinctly present possible solutions outside of the designated design space. • Review and validate work with peers, stakeholders, and customers to maintain open communication. • Ability to see things from various altitudes and communicate holistic solutions. • Expertise in Customer Experience Design and Design Thinking.

Qualifications (Text Only)

Required qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND extensive User Experience Research experience. o OR Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND User Experience Research experience. o OR Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND User Experience Research experience. o OR equivalent experience. • Experience designing and facilitating co-creation/ideation/design thinking workshops to drive meaningful business outcomes. • Experience working on experiences that include extensive digital solutions (omni-channel, self-service, AI bots, etc). • Experience conducting 1:1 research interviews. • Relevant domain experience within technology sector and enterprise (B2B) customers [KP2]. Preferred qualifications: • Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree or Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND extensive User Experience Research experience. • Extensive relevant domain experience within technology sector and enterprise (B2B) customers [KP1]. • Experience in research methods impacting both product direction and detailed experience design. • Extensive experience designing and facilitating co-creation/ideation/design thinking workshops to drive meaningful business outcomes. • Extensive experience conducting 1:1 research interviews. • Extensive experience working on experiences that include extensive digital solutions (omni-channel, self-service, AI bots, etc). • Demonstrated technical or conceptual understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) principles, including machine learning, natural language processing, and AI-driven user experience enhancements. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a requestvia the Accommodation request form. Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.