Senior User Experience Researcher

Vanguard; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard is seeking an experienced User Experience Research role to design and conduct complex studies that support UI design and drive usability improvements. The role focuses on web and mobile applications across multiple platforms and mid-scale projects.

The position requires planning, conducting interviews, contextual inquiries, and presenting actionable insights to design teams and leaders. This hybrid role includes three onsite days per week in Malvern PA, Charlotte NC, and Scottsdale AZ,

Qualifications

• Minimum five years related work experience.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience in a creative or technical field.
• Familiarity with user testing or Qualtrics/Medallia.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct user research, usability studies, and heuristic evaluations.
• Conduct user interviews and contextual inquiries to identify user needs.
• Analyze and present findings to design teams and mid-level leaders.
• Educate project teams on usability value and best practices.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to Vanguard's usability practices.
• Collaborate with business and IT teams to plan research for web or mobile applications.

Skills

User research

Usability testing

Interviews

Contextual inquiry

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a creative or technical field

Tools

Qualtrics

Medallia

Heuristic evaluation

Job description

This role designs and conducts complex user experience research studies to support user interface design and recommend usability improvements.

This role:

• Provides usability services for business and IT teams for web or mobile applications across multiple platforms for mid-scale scope projects. Recommends appropriate quantitative or qualitative approach to gather necessary insights from clients or prospects.
• Plans, designs, and conducts user research, usability, and heuristic evaluations studies. Reviews research on human factors response to bring value to Vanguard's business, technology, and processes.
• Conducts user interviews and contextual inquiries to identify user needs and gather user feedback. Ensures privacy and conducts sessions in a professional manner.
• Analyzes, summarizes, and presents results to design teams and mid-level decision makers. Suggests strategies to gain buy-in from the business.
• Contributes actionable suggestions based on knowledge of target user base and usability best practices. Educates project teams and crew regarding usability’s purpose and value.
• Identifies quantitative and qualitative usability opportunities and presents findings and recommendations to project teams. Presents usability findings to leaders and negotiates adoption of critical usability recommendations with guidance and support from more senior user experience crew.
• Assists in building usability principles and practices at Vanguard. Trains and mentors junior staff in best practices of user experience research. Provides guidance, training, and motivation.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum five years related work experience.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience in a creative or technical field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with user testing or Qualtrics/Medallia.

This role is part of our hybrid work model with a required three days a week onsite in our Malvern PA, Charlotte NC, and Scottsdale AZ offices. Fully remote work is not available for this role.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission.
To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.