User Experience Researcher, Specialist

Do you love to get into the nitty gritty but also step back and think big? Do you have a passion for human-centered design and uncovering user needs? Are you an advocate for research and excited to bring others along for the ride in a fast-paced, highly autonomous setting? Then we can’t wait to meet you! We're looking for expert user experience researchers with a broad range of skills in qualitative and design research methods, as well as usability testing and proficiency in quantitative methods. The Senior UXR, Specialist title is equivalent to staff researcher, research director, and other more senior lead-level roles found in other organizations. Join Vanguard's diverse and growing team of UX researchers and work cross-functionally with product, design and development teams to build world-class experiences for our clients. As part of the Vanguard UX research team within our Client Experience & Digital group, you'll help your peers understand how people think and feel about investing, retirement and money. We have labs focused on improving onboarding, investing and advised experiences, as well as our mobile app, secure site, search, security, and more.

In this role, You Will

• Mentor and train others in the development and practice of user experience research techniques, processes and methods
• Work closely with product teams to identify and prioritize research topics and questions
• Move quickly and efficiently in an agile product development cycle, delivering continuous insights through lean research practices
• Provide counsel to product teams on the appropriate research strategy needed to answer critical questions
• Conduct research using a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as human-centered design principles leveraging support from other research disciplines (i.e. data analytics) as appropriate
• Work cross-functionally with software development, design, content strategy, data science, and marketing
• Represent the voice of the user and communicate research insights and recommendations in compelling and creative ways with team members and senior leadership
• Facilitate research debriefs, brainstorming exercises, and/or other workshops that utilize design thinking approaches to fuel ideation and evaluate product design
  
  

What It Takes

• MA/MS/PhD in a related field or the equivalent combination of training and experience, with degree in HCI, Psychology, Sociology, Human Factors, Usability, or Information Science
• 5 years relevant research experience
• Track record of thought leadership and demonstrated ability to prioritize initiatives to influence strategic decisions
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead others through ambiguity
• Strong business acumen; an understanding of business goals, strategies, and pressures while being aware of industry trends and competitive actions as a context for doing research
• Demonstrated mastery in using design thinking techniques for product design and research
• Command a broad set of qualitative and user-centered design research methods (e.g., usability testing, client interviews, diary study, surveys)
• Proficient knowledge of quantitative research methods
• Experience working across mobile and desktop web and apps required
• Ability to ask, as well as answer, meaningful and impactful questions
• Compelling communication and presentation/storytelling skills
• Ability to facilitate group meetings and workshops
• Experience using a wide range of user experience research software and tools (e.g., Usertesting.com, Medallia, Qualtrics)
• Strong project management skills and experience guiding multiple projects simultaneously
• Specific or highly related experience in one of our lab topic areas: onboarding, investing, tax management, cash management, robo-advice, human advice, mobile app, secure site, security, help, search, or conversational UI, a plus
  
  

A Design Experience That Delivers

Vanguard, a recognized employer of choice, is a leading investment management firm driven by a low cost, 100% client focused model. Vanguard believes that Client Experience is core to continued growth and success in the marketplace. As such, we are focused on delivering world-class experiences and investor outcomes at speed through multidisciplinary lab teams fully organized around client journeys.

Qualifications

• Five years related work experience, Two years of User Experience or User Interface experience.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience in a creative or technical field. Graduate degree preferred.
  
  

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.