Senior User Researcher [AQ-25181] — Aquent, Bentonville, AR

Aquent is partnering with a global retail and ecommerce leader, a company that is redefining how customers shop and interact with products. This innovative organization is committed to delivering unparalleled customer experiences through cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of user needs. Join a team where your insights will directly shape the future of digital retail, impacting millions of users worldwide and driving strategic decisions that foster customer-centric innovation and operational excellence.

We are seeking a visionary and highly collaborative individual to step into a pivotal role as a Senior User Researcher. This is an incredible opportunity to leverage your expertise in understanding human behavior to influence product development and design across a vast and dynamic ecosystem. You will be at the forefront of uncovering critical user insights, translating complex data into actionable strategies, and ensuring that every product enhancement resonates deeply with customer needs. Your work will directly empower product teams, elevate user satisfaction, and contribute significantly to the company’s mission of continuous improvement and market leadership.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative user research, including interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiries, to deeply understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points.

• Develop compelling user journeys, storyboards, and mapping techniques to visually communicate research findings and insights.

• Analyze diverse existing data sources, such as web analytics, user surveys, and customer support interactions, to identify critical gaps between business expectations and the actual user experience.

• Propose and refine research hypotheses, guiding project planning and execution with a clear, data-driven approach.

• Implement robust data validation practices to ensure the accuracy and reliability of all research outcomes.

• Translate complex research insights into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations that directly inform design decisions and strategic business initiatives.

• Identify, map, and analyze key stakeholders, gaining a thorough understanding of their needs and business contexts.

• Collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to share insights and align on overarching research objectives.

• Prepare clear, concise, and fact-based reports that build consensus and foster cross-functional collaboration across teams.

• Plan and execute rigorous usability and user acceptance tests (e.g., alpha and beta testing) to validate design assumptions and product effectiveness.

• Develop detailed testing scenarios, documentation, and guidelines to support iterative design improvements and continuous enhancement.

• Utilize testing outcomes to drive improvements in both the user experience and internal team processes.

• Communicate research insights clearly and persuasively through written, verbal, and visual formats, adapting your approach for diverse audiences and accessibility needs.

• Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with team members and business partners, fostering a collaborative environment.

• Actively contribute to a culture of respect, integrity, and continuous learning within the team.

• Support peers through mentoring, guidance, and the sharing of best practices and knowledge.

• Gain a deep understanding of customer and business problems through detailed journey mapping and process improvement initiatives.

• Identify potential risks and exciting opportunities within the user experience to inform future product enhancements and innovations.

• Deliver high-impact insights that directly support the company’s mission of customer-centric innovation and operational excellence.

What You’ll Bring

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.

• Proven experience in user research, design research, or a similar role, ideally within a multi-stakeholder environment. Typically, 3+ years of experience is common, but we value equivalent experience gained through diverse professional paths.

• Working knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.

• Experience analyzing web analytics, user data, and customer feedback to derive meaningful insights.

• Familiarity with various tools and frameworks used for mapping user journeys and creating compelling storyboards.

• Demonstrated ability to identify and effectively engage stakeholders across different functional areas.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex insights concisely and persuasively.

• Experience building consensus and influencing cross-functional teams to make data-informed decisions.

Bonus Points

• A Master’s degree in a related field.

• Experience thriving in fast-moving environments with numerous partners and stakeholders.