Senior User Experience Researcher

Vanguard; Scottsdale (AZ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard is seeking a seasoned User Experience Research role focused on designing and conducting complex usability studies to support UI improvements across web and mobile platforms. The candidate will provide usability services for business and IT teams across mid-scale projects and recommend appropriate research approaches to gather insights.

Responsibilities include planning and conducting studies, interviewing users, analyzing results, and presenting actionable recommendations to design

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and conduct user research, usability, and heuristic evaluations.
• Conduct user interviews and contextual inquiries to identify user needs and gather feedback.
• Analyze, summarize, and present results to design teams and decision makers.
• Educate project teams on usability value and best practices, and mentor junior staff.
• Identify opportunities and present findings to project teams, negotiating adoption of recommendations.
• Participate in special projects and support broader usability initiatives.

Skills

User research

Usability testing

Heuristic evaluation

Qualitative research

Quantitative analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Qualtrics

Medallia

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.