User Experience Researcher (UX) at Optimal Growth Technologies

Role purpose:

• To conduct UX and market research for companies Digital & Marketing team.
• The responsible individual will need to handle day-to-day UX research activities including recruitment, planning and coordinating usability tests, observing and running of tests, documentation of insights, reporting and presenting outcomes to stakeholders.
• The person will have to support the UX team by maintaining an up to date view of our users digital habits, behaviors and needs.
• The objective is to support the UX lead in achieving research goals.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership

• Conduct UX research
• Design studies that address both user behavior and attitudes.
• Conduct research using a wide variety of qualitative methods, subset of quantitative methods (i.e. surveys), and interpret analysis through the lens of UX, HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), and social science
• Recruit participants and assist UX designers in running user testing studies.
• Generate insights, that both fuel ideation and evaluate designs
• Research the latest visual design, UI and interaction concepts, presentation layer technologies, digital best practices, online trends, and provide recommendations for improvements
• Conducting best practice research to develop and improve UI and interaction design to solve end user problems effectively.
• Create sound recommendations after each stage of testing and ideation based on research and user observations.
• Research market, customers and potential customers to keep an up to date view of digital habits, behaviors and user needs.
• Generate profiles to be used in the creation of empathy maps and personas.
• Work on multiple projects at one time, using strong communication skills to manage time and expectations appropriately.
• Work cross-functionally with UX designers and product management.
• Support our UX design lead on studies and assist in achieving research goals.
• Work with product leaders to prioritize research questions based on analysis of current knowledge, project goals, identified risks, and project impact.
• Identify best method or mix of methods to address research questions, with consideration for timeline and resources with minimal guidance.
• Advise UX design team and product managers on research opportunities and best practices at all stages of an agile product development process.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships, effectively to make decisions based on a strong understanding of business, customer and design trade-offs.
• Participate in team activities and team planning with the aim of improving team skills, awareness and quality of work.
• Present results from usability tests and other user research to project teams.
• Monitor statistics and analytics (such as Adobe Analytics) across sites with an aim of obtaining a better understanding of user behavior and improving user journeys.
• Actively work on improving user experience and engagement across all our sites and products.
• Evangelise good user experience, demonstrating measurable value to other team-members and stakeholders, and encouraging a culture of UX.
• Foster a healthy tension between stakeholders, encouraging discussions that take into account business needs, user needs, and what is possible.

Competencies:

• Comprehensive knowledge in a variety of industry-centric qualitative research methods, such as semi-structured interviews, contextual inquiries, usability studies, diary ethnographic studies, unmoderated remote studies, paper prototyping, surveys, A/B testing and Card sorting.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct research in close collaboration with people in a variety of roles, including design, technology, and product management.
• Knowledge of quantitative, behavioral analysis, and statistical concepts
• Experience with survey research (questionnaire design, sampling, analysis).
• Experience working in a collaborative team and working directly with developers for implementation of designs
• Excellent communication (presentation and interpersonal skills)
• Understanding of qualitative analysis and reporting methods suitable for the fast pace of industry; ability to quickly shift the methodology and scope of research projects to meet short deadlines while collecting the best possible data and delivering actionable results.
• Experience in creating user testing scripts and leading testing sessions.
• Experience creating UX test protocols, specifications and presentations.
• Good understanding of UX and UCD design principles.
• Experience working with Agile processes.

Must have technical / professional qualifications:

• 5 - 8 Years' experience within a Design Research role

Preferred Qualification

• Degree in the humanities: Psychology, Sociology, Politics, Anthropology, etc.
• Commerce Degree is also welcome
• Post graduate qualification is an added bonus
• Preferred Certifications
• Usability Analyst Certification
• Technical / Professional Knowledge
• UX design
• Research + testing
• Market awareness
• Concept presentation
• Communication and negotiation
• Report writing