Senior User Researcher

** MUST BE WILLING TO RELOCATE TO BENTONVILLE, AR **

Aquent has partnered with a global retail and eCommerce pioneer to find a visionary research leader who will shape the digital future for millions of customers daily, transforming complex data into seamless, intuitive experiences. In this dynamic role, you will not just analyze behavior-you will actively influence the product roadmap, mentor rising talent, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to design inclusive, world-class digital products that make life easier for millions of people. By championing the voice of the customer across key digital touchpoints, you will drive high-impact user insights and directly contribute to the success of a world-renowned brand.

About Our Client

Our client is a global retail powerhouse dedicated to delivering exceptional value and innovative digital experiences to customers worldwide. They foster a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and belonging, where diverse perspectives are celebrated, and every team member is empowered to bring their best self to work. Committed to integrity and servant leadership, they strive to make a positive, regenerative impact on both their associates and the global communities they serve.

The Opportunity and Your Impact

In this role, you will serve as a strategic consultant and subject matter expert on multi-channel customer behavior. You will lead proactive, broad-based research programs, translate complex data into actionable recommendations, and build consensus among product managers, designers, and senior leadership. By driving customer-centric strategies and pre-empting gaps in the product experience, you will directly influence key revenue-driving digital platforms and elevate the overall user journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and oversee comprehensive primary research programs (qualitative and quantitative) including field studies, focus groups, surveys, and usability testing.
• Analyze complex data sets, draw insightful conclusions, and deliver compelling, actionable recommendations to Product Management and User Experience teams.
• Manage end-to-end research relationships with external vendors and contractors, from creating RFPs to evaluating deliverables and performance.
• Act as a key user experience consultant, collaborating cross-functionally to inform product development roadmaps and corporate initiatives.
• Leverage deep understanding of user consumption trends to improve interaction design and user experience strategies.
• Identify major user acceptance testing activities, compile test guidelines, and guide usability testing scenarios and documentation.
• Mentor and guide associate researchers in day-to-day methodologies, contributing to the internal user experience practice curriculum.
• Foster productive, collaborative relationships with stakeholders, simplifying processes to reduce turnaround times and drive customer delight.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field and minimum 5 years of experience in UX design research, market research or business analysis
• Proven expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and user discovery strategies (interviews, surveys, journey mapping, contextual inquiries).
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and build consensus across multi-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience in usability testing, including developing test plans, scenarios, and documentation.
• Exceptional relationship-building, mentoring, and collaborative leadership skills.

Set Yourself Apart

• Recognized research or design certification (e.g., Foundations in Design Thinking).
• Strong knowledge of digital accessibility best practices, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards and assistive technologies.