Senior User Researcher

Aquent's client, a retail and ecommerce leader, is looking to hire a Senior User Researcher on a full-time basis in Bentonville, AR (relocation assistance will be provided).

What You'll Be Doing

User Discovery & Research

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative user research (interviews, surveys, contextual inquiries) to uncover user behaviors, needs, and pain points.
• Develop user journeys, storyboards, and mapping techniques to visualize research findings.
• Analyze existing data sources (e.g., web analytics, user surveys, customer support interactions) to identify gaps between business expectations and user experience.

Design Research & Data Analysis

• Propose and refine research hypotheses to guide project planning and execution.
• Use data validation practices to help ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Translate research insights into clear recommendations that inform design decisions and business strategies.

Stakeholder Management & Functional Partnership

• Identify, map, and analyze key stakeholders, learning about their needs and business contexts.
• Work with internal and external partners to share insights and align on research objectives.
• Prepare clear, concise, fact-based reports that build consensus and support cross-functional collaboration.

Usability Testing & Iteration

• Plan and run usability and user acceptance tests (such as alpha and beta) to validate design assumptions.
• Develop testing scenarios, documentation, and guidelines to support iterative design improvements.
• Use testing outcomes to improve the user experience and team processes.

Influence & Collaboration

• Communicate research insights clearly through written, verbal, and visual formats, adapting to different audiences and accessibility needs.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with team members and business partners.
• Contribute to a culture of respect, integrity, and continuous learning.
• Support peers through mentoring, guidance, and sharing of best practices.

Customer Focus & Strategic Impact

• Understand customer and business problems through journey mapping and process improvement.
• Identify risks and opportunities in the user experience to inform future product enhancements.
• Deliver insights that support the company's mission of customer-centric innovation and operational excellence.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
• Experience in user research, design research, or a similar role, ideally in a multi-stakeholder environment. Roughly 3+ years is typical, but we welcome equivalent experience gained through other paths.
• Able to work 5 days/week in Bentonville, AR (relocation assistance will be provided).

Technical & Research Skills

• Working knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.
• Experience analyzing web analytics, user data, and customer feedback.
• Familiarity with tools and frameworks for mapping user journeys and creating storyboards.

Stakeholder & Communication Skills

• Ability to identify and engage stakeholders across different functional areas.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex insights concisely.
• Experience building consensus and influencing cross-functional teams to use data-informed insights.

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience working in fast-moving environments with many partners.