UX Researcher

UX Research Contractor

As a User Experience (UX) Research Contractor on the Experience Research team, candidates will be responsible for independently scoping and executing custom research across digital assets at client and Safeco Insurance. This role will focus on digital experiences for client’s multiple user groups, which may include customers, agents, adjusters, call center representatives, underwriters, and more. Candidates will partner with software product development teams, comprised of Product Owners, UX Product Designers, UX Content Strategists, business teams, and Information Technology to understand business objectives, technology capabilities, and to ensure design solutions meet client’s users’ needs. Candidates will lead exciting new research projects designed to identify the needs and behaviors of client’s users so that we can build best in class experiences for them. Candidates will leverage your deep expertise in user research methods (e.g., usability testing, online surveys, interviews, card sorts, etc.) and Design Thinking and Lean UX methodologies. Candidates will interpret, synthesize, and communicate complex research results in a way to empower business decisions and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Spearhead custom complex research initiatives to define client’s strategy Auto, Property, and Specialty insurance experiences, directly impacting user satisfaction and driving business outcomes.
• Champion client’s end-users by seamlessly integrating insights from diverse sources, including primary and secondary research, industry news, and operational data.
• Forge high-trust partnerships with colleagues across multiple teams and departments, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Lead high-visibility research projects, collaborating closely with key stakeholders such as UX, Product Owners, IT, Analytics, and more.
• Lead the objective-setting and discovery process, including user persona development, journey-mapping, and interpretation of user goals.
• Showcase your ability to influence business partners to act on research insights by providing clear, actionable recommendations and relevant business context.
• Communicate findings with clarity and impact, tailoring your message for senior and executive-level stakeholders.
• Embrace diversity of perspective and foster effective collaboration with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

Qualifications:

• 5 plus years of UX Research experience in a corporate agile setting, Bachelor’s degree in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Design OR Master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience, Master’s preferred
• Expertise in a wide range of qualitative research methods, including usability studies, interviews, focus groups, surveys, card sorts, and heuristic reviews
• Exceptional communication skills, adept at translating data into actionable insights both verbally and in writing
• Expertise in data-driven storytelling, transforming raw data into compelling narratives and visualizations
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research tools like Qualtrics and UserZoom, as well as UX methodologies such as Design Thinking and Lean UX
• Commitment to ongoing learning and staying current with industry techniques and tools
• Strong organizational, analytical, critical thinking, and team-building abilities
• Proven track record of effective collaboration with cross-functional teams
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

What Sets Candidates Apart:

• Experience in the insurance, financial services, or other highly regulated industry
• Extensive experience with agile planning and development processes
• A track record of independent decision-making with strong business judgment
• Flexibility to adapt and excel in a dynamic environment
• Experience with quantitative research methods
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion, actively embracing and promoting different perspectives

Note: Manager Intake Call Notes:

• Max Bill Rate: $80
• Location: This position can be based in Boston, MA, Portsmouth, NH, Plano, TX, Seattle, WA or remote (no preference on remote or onsite). Must be willing to work CST or EST hours.
• Duration: 6 month contract
• Contract to Hire: No
• Most important skillset: Hard tech skills need to be there but also have strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Preference on Industries: Insurance or FinTech, experience in highly regulated industry (e.g. healthcare or internal employee research)
• Day to Day: Team and project meetings, stakeholder management, interviews, recruiting, analysis, presenting research data, etc.