UX Research Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research Lead

Company: interactive investor

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX Research, Design Leadership

Date Posted: June 10, 2025

Experience Level: 5-10 years (Lead Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a team of UX Researchers, ensuring high-quality research outcomes and professional growth within the design function.
• Drive comprehensive user research initiatives, employing a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover deep user insights and inform product strategy.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management and cross-functional teams to align research roadmaps with business objectives and champion a user-centered product transformation.
• Actively design, conduct, and synthesize user research, translating findings into actionable recommendations that enhance the user experience of financial services products.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of UX Researchers, providing guidance on research design, execution, analysis, and reporting across multiple product squads.
• Own and strategically plan the UX Research roadmaps for assigned tribes, aligning research activities with key product development milestones and business goals.
• Design and conduct primary and secondary user research using a variety of methodologies including user interviews, usability testing, diary studies, and competitor analysis.
• Embed user research effectively within the agile product development lifecycle, collaborating with UX Designers, Product Owners, and Developers from discovery through delivery.
• Synthesize research data from multiple sources, including qualitative insights, quantitative data (from tools like UserZoom, Hotjar, Contentsquare), and analytics, to identify patterns and actionable findings.
• Communicate research findings compellingly to diverse stakeholders across the organization through written reports, presentations, and collaborative workshops.
• Champion accessibility within the UX Research practice and advocate for inclusive design principles to ensure products are usable by a wide range of users.
• Continuously evaluate and improve research methodologies and processes to enhance the impact and efficiency of the UX Research function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Anthropology, Design, or a related field is typically preferred, although equivalent practical experience demonstrating a strong foundation in research methodologies will be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX Research, with a significant portion of that time spent leading research projects and ideally managing or mentoring other researchers. A strong portfolio demonstrating a track record of impactful research that has influenced product development is essential.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, including mentoring, coaching, and performance management of UX Researchers.
• Expertise in designing, conducting, and analyzing qualitative user research methods (e.g., in-depth interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry, ethnographic studies).
• Strong understanding and practical experience with quantitative research methods and tools (e.g., surveys, A/B testing analysis, interpreting analytics data from platforms like Hotjar, Contentsquare, UserZoom).
• Proficiency in core UX Research methodologies such as user interviews, usability testing, diary studies, and competitive analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and storytelling skills to effectively convey complex research findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to synthesize complex information, identify patterns and insights, and translate them into actionable design and product recommendations.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Marketing.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a meticulous attention to detail and the ability to navigate ambiguity.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in the financial services or a similarly regulated industry.
• Experience with remote research tools and methodologies.
• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices in UX research.
• Experience contributing to or establishing research repositories and knowledge management systems.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include 2-3 detailed case studies showcasing your end-to-end research process on significant projects, highlighting your role as a lead or primary researcher.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the research objectives, methodologies used (both qualitative and quantitative), participant recruitment strategy, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.
• Demonstrate how your research insights directly informed design decisions, product strategy, and business outcomes, using specific examples and metrics where possible.
• Showcase your ability to synthesize complex data from multiple sources into clear, compelling insights and actionable recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• Document your approach to planning and scoping research projects, including stakeholder alignment, research question formulation, and methodology selection.
• Illustrate your techniques for conducting research activities, such as interview scripts, usability test plans, survey designs, and field study protocols.
• Showcase your methods for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., thematic analysis, affinity mapping) and synthesizing quantitative data.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £55,000 - £75,000 per annum. This estimate is based on average salary data for UX Research Leads in Manchester, UK, considering the specified experience level (5-10 years) and the financial services industry context. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, specific skills, and company compensation philosophy. Data sources include Payscale, Glassdoor, and UK-specific tech/design salary reports for the Manchester area.

Benefits:

• Competitive pension scheme contribution.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Private medical insurance.
• Life assurance coverage.
• Employee assistance program.
• Opportunities for professional development and training, including conference attendance and certifications relevant to UX Research.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours (typically 37.5 - 40 hours per week), with an emphasis on a hybrid work model requiring three days per week in the Manchester office to facilitate team collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Online Investment Platform)

Company Size: 501-1,000 employees (LinkedIn data)

Founded: 1995

interactive investor is a well-established UK investment platform with a focus on empowering customers to manage their finances. Being in the financial services industry means navigating complex regulations and ensuring high levels of trust and security. The company is undergoing a "user-centric product transformation," indicating a growing emphasis on design thinking and user research to drive product strategy and innovation.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research Lead will report to the UX Research Manager, indicating a structured design leadership hierarchy.
• The role involves managing a team of UX Researchers across multiple product squads, suggesting a decentralized or embedded research model within cross-functional teams.
• Close collaboration is expected with a diverse set of roles including UX Designers, UX Copywriters, Data Analysts, CRO specialists, Product Owners, Product Managers, Developers, and Testers.

Methodology:

• The team works within an agile framework, with an emphasis on embedding user research into the discovery and product development process.
• Utilization of the "double diamond process" is mentioned, indicating a structured approach to design and research, moving from discovery and definition to development and delivery.
• Collaboration and stakeholder involvement throughout the research journey are key aspects of their methodology.

Company Website: https://www.ii.co.uk

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is positioned as a Lead, which is a senior individual contributor or a first-level management role within the UX Research career path. It requires not only deep research expertise but also the ability to guide and develop other researchers and influence product strategy at a higher level.

Reporting Structure: The UX Research Lead reports to the UX Research Manager, providing a clear line of support and guidance while also indicating opportunities for upward mobility within the research leadership track.

Design Impact: As a Lead, this role is expected to have significant influence on product roadmaps and strategic decisions by delivering impactful user insights. The position is crucial for championing user-driven decisions within a financial services context undergoing transformation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential advancement to a UX Research Manager or Senior Manager role, taking on broader leadership responsibilities and strategic oversight of the research function.
• Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, financial services domain knowledge, or emerging areas like behavioral economics or data science integration in UX.
• Growth in influencing organizational culture towards greater user-centricity and advocating for the value of design and research at executive levels.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Hybrid office model with a requirement to work from the Manchester office three days per week. The office environment is likely designed to support collaboration among cross-functional teams.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is Manchester, United Kingdom (201 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester M3 3NW, GB). interactive investor also has offices in Leeds and London, suggesting potential for collaboration across locations.

Design Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model encourages in-person collaboration, likely providing dedicated spaces for team meetings, workshops, and collaborative research analysis sessions.
• Access to necessary hardware and software for conducting research, potentially including dedicated testing labs or observation rooms, is expected.
• Opportunities for informal interaction and knowledge sharing with design, product, and engineering teams within the office environment.

Work Schedule: The role requires a hybrid work schedule with three days per week based in the Manchester office. This structure aims to balance the benefits of remote work with the need for face-to-face collaboration and team cohesion, particularly important for a leadership role. The remaining two days can be worked remotely.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening call with HR or a recruiter to discuss experience, fit, and basic requirements. Prepare to articulate your experience leading research and managing teams.
• Interview(s) with the hiring manager (UX Research Manager) focusing on your leadership philosophy, research methodology expertise, and experience in financial services or similar domains.
• Interview(s) with team members or direct reports to assess your collaboration style, mentoring capabilities, and ability to integrate into the team culture.
• Interview(s) with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Product Manager, UX Designer, Engineer) to evaluate your ability to collaborate, influence, and communicate research insights effectively.
• A portfolio review and presentation session where you walk through selected case studies, highlighting your research process, impact, and leadership contributions. Be prepared to discuss challenges and how you overcame them.
• Potentially a case study or design challenge related to the financial services domain, requiring you to outline a research approach to a given problem.
• Final interview(s) with senior leadership or department heads to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and cultural fit within the broader organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate case studies that demonstrate the strategic impact of your research at a team or product level, not just individual project contributions.
• Clearly articulate your leadership role in guiding research initiatives and mentoring team members within the case studies.
• Focus on the research problem, your hypothesis, the methodologies chosen and why, your findings, and the resulting actions/impact. Quantify impact where possible.
• Be prepared to discuss the challenges faced during the research process and how you adapted your approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• If given a case study or challenge, focus on outlining a robust research plan that addresses the core problem, considers relevant methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative), outlines participant criteria, and includes a clear analysis and synthesis approach.
• Demonstrate your ability to think strategically about the research needed to inform product decisions within the given context.
• Be prepared to articulate your assumptions and justify your chosen approach.

ATS Keywords:

• Design Skills & Methodologies: UX Research, User Research, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Usability Testing, User Interviews, Diary Studies, Contextual Inquiry, Ethnography, Survey Design, A/B Testing, Data Analysis, Synthesis, Thematic Analysis, Affinity Mapping, Competitive Analysis, Benchmarking, Personas, Journey Mapping, Service Design, Design Thinking, Agile, Double Diamond, Accessibility, Inclusive Design.
• Tools & Technology: UserZoom, Hotjar, Usabilla, Contentsquare, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Dovetail, EnjoyHQ, Jira, Confluence, Figma, Sketch, InVision (mention specific tools you are proficient in).
• Leadership & Soft Skills: Leadership, Team Management, Mentoring, Coaching, Communication, Presentation, Storytelling, Stakeholder Management, Influence, Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, Detail-Oriented, Proactive, Resilience, Adaptability.
• Industry & Domain: Financial Services, Fintech, Investment Platform, Digital Banking, Wealth Management, Regulation, Compliance.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Likely use of specialized UX Research platforms for conducting studies, managing participants, and analyzing data (e.g., UserZoom for remote usability testing and surveys, Usabilla/Contentsquare for in-page feedback and analytics). Proficiency in these or similar tools is expected.
• Standard office productivity suites for documentation, presentations, and analysis (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Project management and collaboration tools like Jira and Confluence are likely used for tracking research activities, documenting findings, and sharing insights with product and engineering teams.
• Tools for creating presentations and reports (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote).

Research & Testing:

• Specific tools mentioned in the job description include UserZoom, Hotjar, Usabilla, and Contentsquare, indicating a reliance on these platforms for quantitative data and user behavior analysis.
• Other potential tools might include survey platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics), remote interview tools (e.g., Zoom, Teams), and potentially research repositories (e.g., Dovetail, EnjoyHQ) for organizing and synthesizing qualitative data.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Customer-Driven Approach: A core value is putting customers in control of their financial future, suggesting a strong emphasis on user needs and financial well-being in design and research decisions.
• Honesty, Straight Talking, and Transparency: These values likely translate into a research culture that prioritizes clear, unbiased reporting of findings and open communication within the team and with stakeholders.
• Ambitious and Passionate: Encouraging team members to "fight for what we believe is right for our customers" indicates a culture that values conviction and advocacy for the user, which is crucial for a research lead.
• Decisive and Ownership: Taking ownership of deliverables and decisions implies a results-oriented environment where research insights are expected to lead to tangible improvements.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with a wide range of cross-functional teams across product, design, engineering, and customer service.
• Emphasis on "bringing stakeholders along the end to end research journey," suggesting a participatory and inclusive approach to research where stakeholders are involved in the process.
• Expected to provide support, guidance, and coaching to colleagues, indicating a culture of knowledge sharing and up-skilling across the organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Navigating the complexities and regulations of the financial services industry while delivering simple and intuitive user experiences. This requires a strong understanding of both user needs and regulatory constraints. Preparation involves researching financial industry UX best practices and common user pain points.
• Embedding user research effectively within an organization undergoing a "user-centric product transformation," which may involve overcoming resistance to change or demonstrating the value of research to stakeholders who are new to these methodologies. Preparedness involves developing strong communication and influencing skills.
• Managing and mentoring a diverse team of researchers across multiple squads, ensuring consistency in research quality and approach while supporting individual growth. This requires strong leadership and coaching skills. Learning resources on team management and distributed team leadership are beneficial.
• Synthesizing complex data from various qualitative and quantitative sources (including potentially large datasets from tools like Contentsquare) to identify meaningful patterns and actionable insights. This requires strong analytical and data synthesis skills. Continuous learning in data analysis and visualization techniques is advisable.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunities to deepen expertise in financial services UX, including specific areas like investment behavior, financial literacy, and regulatory compliance in design.
• Development of advanced leadership skills through managing and mentoring a team, potentially leading to future management roles.
• Exposure to and potential for influencing product strategy and roadmaps through impactful research, enhancing strategic thinking and business acumen.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• "Describe your approach to leading a user research initiative from initial problem framing to delivering actionable insights. How do you ensure rigor and validity in your research?" Prepare by outlining your standard research process, emphasizing your leadership role and how you adapt methodologies based on project needs. Use examples from your portfolio.
• "How do you prioritize research activities across multiple product squads? Describe a time you had to balance competing research requests." Prepare by discussing your framework for prioritizing research based on impact, feasibility, and alignment with product goals. Provide a specific example demonstrating your decision-making process.
• "Tell me about a time your research findings challenged existing assumptions or product decisions. How did you communicate these findings and influence stakeholders?" Prepare by selecting a case study where your research had a significant impact. Focus on your communication strategy, stakeholder management, and ability to advocate for user needs.

Company Culture Questions:

• "Based on our company values (Straight Talking, Moving with Speed, Owning the Outcome), how do you see yourself contributing to our design culture as a Research Lead?" Prepare by reflecting on the company values and connecting them to your leadership style, research approach, and collaboration preferences.
• "How do you approach mentoring and developing researchers on your team?" Prepare by discussing your philosophy on team growth, specific mentoring techniques you use, and examples of how you've helped team members develop their skills.
• "Describe your experience collaborating with Product Management and Engineering teams. How do you ensure research insights are effectively integrated into the product development workflow?" Prepare by providing examples of successful cross-functional collaboration, highlighting your communication strategies and methods for ensuring research impact.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation to clearly articulate the business or product problem, the research questions you aimed to answer, the methodologies you employed (explaining why you chose them), your key findings, and the specific impact your research had on the product or business.
• For a Lead role, emphasize your strategic contribution to the research plan and how you guided your team (if applicable) or collaborated with others.
• Be prepared to go deep into your analysis and synthesis methods. Show examples of how you translated raw data into compelling insights.
• Practice articulating the "so what?" of your research – how did it change thinking or lead to specific actions?

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link.
• Customize your resume to highlight your experience in UX Research leadership, team management, and expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Use relevant ATS keywords from the list provided.
• Prepare a compelling portfolio (as outlined in the Portfolio & Creative Requirements section) that showcases your end-to-end research process, strategic impact, and leadership contributions.
• Research interactive investor, paying close attention to their products, target audience, recent news, and stated company values. Understand their position in the financial services market.
• Practice articulating your research process and the impact of your work, preparing specifically for the types of questions outlined in the Interview Preparation section.