Design Researcher (12-Month FTC)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Researcher (12-Month FTC) Company: Lloyds Banking Group Location: Bristol / Leeds / Halifax, United Kingdom Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience & Design Research Operations Date Posted: 2025-10-24 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is a 12-month fixed-term contract focused on Design Research within the Payments area, aiming to enhance customer financial experiences.
• The position requires developing and leading research strategies, managing research roadmaps, and delivering insights to guide product and service development.
• It involves a blend of generative and evaluative research methodologies across the product development lifecycle to solve customer problems and uncover opportunities.
• A key aspect is the collaborative nature of the role, working within multi-disciplinary design, product, and engineering teams to foster a shared understanding of user needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Design Researcher", the emphasis on strategy, roadmaps, and influencing stakeholders positions this role within the broader operations framework of a large financial institution. The focus on "Payments" and "customer experiences" highlights the critical GTM (Go-To-Market) and customer success operations implications.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the end-to-end research strategy for a key area within the Payments division, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer needs.
• Manage the research plan and roadmap for assigned service or product areas, proactively identifying opportunities for research to address customer pain points and unlock new value.
• Deliver impactful research findings through a variety of methodologies, including generative research (e.g., ethnographic studies, diary studies) and evaluative research (e.g., usability testing, concept testing) to inform product design and iteration.
• Conduct and analyze both qualitative and quantitative research studies, such as depth interviews, moderated/unmoderated usability tests, and surveys, to provide a comprehensive understanding of user behavior and preferences.
• Synthesize insights from diverse research sources, including qualitative findings, quantitative data, and existing analytics, to construct compelling customer stories and actionable recommendations for design, product, and engineering teams.
• Effectively communicate research insights and recommendations to a wide range of business stakeholders, including senior leadership, influencing strategic decisions with clarity and conciseness.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (design, product, engineering, analytics) to ensure research is integrated throughout the product development lifecycle and that insights are leveraged to create exceptional customer experiences.
• Actively participate in the Design Research and Analytics community, sharing expertise, mentoring junior researchers, and learning from peers to foster continuous improvement and innovation in research practices.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research methodologies and processes within Lloyds Banking Group, testing new approaches and sharing best practices.
• Ensure research activities are well-documented and that findings are accessible and actionable for relevant teams, promoting a data-driven approach to product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and the delivery of actionable insights, which are core to GTM and product operations. The need to "influence wider business stakeholders" and "guide what is created" signifies a proactive, operations-driven role rather than purely a tactical research function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in a related field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, or a related quantitative/qualitative research discipline is highly beneficial.
• Demonstrable understanding of research principles and methodologies equivalent to a Bachelor's or Master's degree.

Experience:

• Proven experience (typically 5-10 years) in a dedicated Design Researcher, UX Researcher, or similar role, with a strong portfolio showcasing applied research projects.
• Experience working within agile environments, closely partnering with design, product management, and engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, from planning and execution to synthesis and reporting.

Required Skills:

• Deep Qualitative Research Expertise: Proficient in conducting and analyzing various qualitative methods including moderated and unmoderated usability testing, concept testing, in-depth interviews, and ethnographic research (e.g., contextual inquiry, diary studies).
• Quantitative Research Capabilities: Experience designing and executing quantitative studies, particularly surveys, and the ability to analyze and interpret quantitative data to complement qualitative findings.
• Research Strategy & Roadmap Development: Ability to create comprehensive research roadmaps and tactical plans, aligning short-term objectives with long-term strategic direction for product development.
• Insight Synthesis & Storytelling: Skilled in synthesizing complex data from multiple sources (qualitative, quantitative, analytics) into clear, actionable insights and compelling customer stories that drive understanding and decision-making.
• Stakeholder Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate research findings and influence decision-makers across various business functions and levels.
• Collaborative Approach: A strong team player with a proven track record of working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative research environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Mixed-Methods Research Experience: Demonstrated proficiency in combining qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a holistic view of user needs and behaviors.
• Experience in Financial Services/Payments: Familiarity with the financial services industry, particularly payment systems, customer banking needs, and regulatory considerations.
• Accessibility Research: Experience or a strong understanding of accessibility principles and testing for inclusive design.
• Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Willingness and ability to share expertise, mentor junior team members, and contribute to a learning culture.
• Data Analysis Tools: Familiarity with statistical analysis software or advanced spreadsheet functions for quantitative data interpretation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "research strategy," "roadmaps," and "influencing stakeholders" elevates this role beyond a purely technical research position, aligning it with strategic operations. The requirement for combining qualitative and quantitative methods points to a need for robust data analysis and insight generation capabilities, crucial for GTM strategy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating end-to-end research projects, showcasing the candidate's ability to define research questions, select appropriate methodologies, execute studies, synthesize findings, and translate them into actionable recommendations.
• Case studies that highlight experience in identifying customer problems, uncovering opportunities, and guiding product/service development through research insights.
• Examples of research roadmaps and plans developed for product areas, illustrating strategic thinking and project management capabilities.
• Evidence of working collaboratively within design, product, and engineering teams, detailing the impact of research on team decision-making and product outcomes.
• Documentation of how research insights were synthesized and communicated to influence stakeholders and drive business impact, ideally with measurable outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase an understanding of research process management, including planning, execution, and reporting phases.
• Provide examples of how research processes were adapted to fit agile development cycles and different stages of the product lifecycle (generative to evaluative).
• Demonstrate experience in documenting research findings in a clear, concise, and actionable manner, suitable for various audiences, including technical teams and business leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are critical for a Design Researcher role, but for this position, they should also emphasize how research directly informed product strategy and influenced business outcomes, aligning with operations and GTM objectives. The ability to demonstrate process optimization in research execution is also key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £59,850 - £66,500 per annum Benefits:

• Generous Pension Contribution: Up to 15% contribution.
• Share Schemes: Including free shares, offering potential for long-term financial growth.
• Lifestyle Adaptable Benefits: Discounted shopping and other benefits to suit individual needs.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: 30 days of holiday, plus bank holidays.
• Wellbeing Initiatives: Comprehensive programs and resources to support employee health and wellness.
• Generous Parental Leave Policies: Supporting work-life balance for new parents.
• Flexible Working Options: Hybrid working (minimum 2 days in office), Job Share opportunities.
• Travel Allowance: Travel to London office required once per month, implying potential for travel expenses or support.

Working Hours: Full-Time, approximately 40 hours per week. Work Arrangement: Hybrid, requiring at least 2 days per week (40% of time) in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-to-senior level research role in the UK market, particularly within a large financial institution. The benefits package is extensive and aligns with typical offerings for full-time employees at major corporations, with a strong emphasis on financial security, work-life balance, and employee wellbeing. The hybrid working model is standard for many professional roles in the current landscape.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking) Company Size: Lloyds Banking Group is a large, established financial institution, employing tens of thousands of people globally. This scale means ample resources, structured processes, and opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration. Founded: The origins of Lloyds Banking Group date back to 1765, indicating a long-standing history and deep roots in the UK economy. This heritage suggests a culture that values stability, trust, and long-term customer relationships, while also embracing modern transformation.

Team Structure:

• Design Research Community: The role is part of a large, experienced Design Research team of over 70 researchers, fostering a strong internal community for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development.
• Multi-disciplinary Teams: Researchers work within dedicated design, product, and engineering teams, promoting a highly collaborative, agile environment.
• Reporting Structure: Researchers typically report into a Design Research Lead or Manager, with functional reporting lines within product teams. The specific reporting line for this FTC role would likely be within the Payments division's product leadership structure.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role necessitates close collaboration with product managers, designers, engineers, data analysts, and potentially business stakeholders across the Payments area.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong emphasis on using research and analytics to inform strategic decisions and product development.
• Agile & Iterative Development: Research is integrated throughout the product lifecycle, supporting iterative design and continuous improvement.
• Customer-Centricity: A core philosophy of understanding and serving customer needs to build trust and loyalty.
• Innovation & Learning: Encouragement to test new research methods, learn from others, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Company Website: https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group's scale and heritage in financial services imply a structured yet evolving work environment. The large internal research community suggests a strong focus on professional development and best practices within research operations, while the multi-disciplinary team structure highlights the importance of collaboration and integrated GTM approaches.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Senior level, requiring significant experience (5-10 years) in design research. It's a step beyond entry-level or junior researcher roles, demanding strategic input, independent project leadership, and stakeholder influence.

Reporting Structure: The Design Researcher will likely report to a Head of Design Research or a Senior Research Manager within the Payments division. They will also work closely with Product Managers and Design Leads within their specific product teams, indicating a matrixed reporting and collaboration structure common in large organizations.

Operations Impact: The Design Researcher's work directly impacts the GTM strategy by ensuring products and services are designed around genuine customer needs, thereby enhancing customer adoption, satisfaction, and retention. Insights generated can influence product roadmaps, marketing messaging, and customer support strategies, all critical components of successful go-to-market operations. By identifying and mitigating usability issues and uncovering new opportunities, the role contributes to revenue generation and operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced quantitative analysis, ethnographic studies, accessibility research) or product domains within Payments.
• Leadership Development: Potential to lead research initiatives, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to the strategic direction of the Design Research community.
• Cross-Functional Experience: Gaining exposure to product management, UX design, and engineering workflows, which can be valuable for broader operations or product leadership roles.
• Industry Exposure: Working within a leading financial institution provides deep insights into the banking sector, regulatory environments, and customer behaviors in financial services.
• Potential for Extension/Permanent Role: While a 12-month FTC, successful performance could lead to opportunities for role extension or conversion to a permanent position, depending on business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed within the context of both specialized research skills and broader operational/product leadership development, appealing to individuals looking for a defined career path within a large, stable organization. The impact on GTM and customer success operations is a key selling point.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model is standard, with a requirement for employees to spend at least 2 days per week (40% of time) in a Lloyds Banking Group office. This suggests a blend of focused individual work at home and collaborative, in-person interaction in the office. Office Location(s): Bristol, Leeds, and Halifax are the primary locations. Monthly travel to the London office is also a requirement.

• Bristol Harbourside: Often a vibrant, modern office environment.
• Leeds: A major business hub, likely offering well-equipped facilities.
• Halifax: A significant location for the bank with historical ties.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are expected to have modern meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan spaces conducive to team collaboration, brainstorming, and workshops.
• Technology & Tools: Access to standard office technology, high-speed internet, and likely specialized research software and hardware for user testing.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages intentional in-person interaction for key team meetings, workshops, and social connection, while remote days allow for focused individual work. The large research community also provides opportunities for networking and learning across departments.

Work Schedule: Full-time (approximately 40 hours per week) with a hybrid arrangement. This allows for flexibility in managing personal time while ensuring core working hours and collaboration days are met. The nature of research often requires adaptability, and the hybrid model supports balancing project demands with personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and office locations are typical for large UK corporations. The emphasis on collaborative spaces and intentional in-person interaction is key for roles that require close teamwork, such as this Design Researcher position within product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Submission: Submit CV and cover letter (optional but recommended) via the Workday portal.
2. Initial Screening: Recruiter/Hiring Manager reviews applications for essential qualifications and experience.
3. Phone/Video Interview: A 30-45 minute discussion with a hiring manager or senior team member to assess background, motivation, and fit for the role and team.
4. Portfolio Presentation & Case Study: A more in-depth interview, typically 60-90 minutes, involving a presentation of selected portfolio pieces. This will likely include a specific task or case study to assess problem-solving, research methodology, synthesis, and communication skills. Candidates may be asked to present on how they would approach a given problem or discuss a past project in detail.
5. Final Interview/Assessment: This might involve meeting with additional stakeholders, a panel interview, or a final discussion with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your skills against the job description requirements, particularly qualitative and quantitative mixed-methods, strategy development, and stakeholder influence.
• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you solved, your role, the methodologies used, your key insights, and, most importantly, the impact of your research on the product or business. Use metrics where possible.
• Showcase Process: Detail your research process, from defining objectives and recruiting participants to synthesizing findings and presenting recommendations. Explain why you chose specific methods.
• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with design, product, and engineering teams, and how you communicated insights to influence decisions.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handled challenging stakeholders, dealing with ambiguity, and your approach to ethical research.
• Tailor to Payments: If possible, highlight any experience relevant to financial services or payments, or at least demonstrate an understanding of the domain.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business Context: Research Lloyds Banking Group, its mission ("to help Britain prosper"), its digital transformation efforts, and its position in the financial services market. Understand the Payments division's goals.
• Be Ready for a Practical Task: Prepare for a scenario-based exercise or a deep dive into a past project that simulates a real-world research challenge. This could involve analyzing a dataset, critiquing a design, or outlining a research plan for a hypothetical problem.
• Articulate Your Thinking: Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex research problems or synthesizing data.
• Demonstrate Adaptability: Be prepared to discuss how you adapt your research approach based on project constraints, timelines, and available data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a practical demonstration of research skills through a portfolio presentation and potential case study. This aligns with best practices for evaluating research talent and assessing their ability to deliver actionable insights that drive business outcomes, a key aspect of GTM and product operations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools (Likely used or required):

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting moderated and unmoderated usability testing, interviews, and surveys (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Dovetail, Maze, Typeform, SurveyMonkey).
• Collaboration & Communication: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Confluence, Jira for team communication, project management, and documentation.
• Design Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for understanding designs and prototypes.
• Data Analysis Tools: While not explicitly stated as a requirement, proficiency in tools for analyzing quantitative data is beneficial. This could include Excel, Google Sheets, or potentially basic SQL or statistical packages if quantitative research is extensive.
• Synthesis Tools: Tools like Miro, Mural, or dedicated research synthesis platforms (e.g., Dovetail) for organizing and analyzing qualitative data.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While direct analytics tool proficiency isn't a primary requirement for a researcher, an understanding of how to interpret data from tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or internal banking analytics platforms would be advantageous.
• Ability to consume and triangulate insights from reports generated by dedicated analytics teams.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core research function, but an awareness of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can provide context on customer journeys and data points.

📝 Enhancement Note: The toolkit for a Design Researcher is broad, encompassing tools for direct user interaction, data analysis, synthesis, and collaboration. While specific tool proficiency might vary, the ability to leverage these tools effectively to gather, analyze, and communicate insights is paramount for operational success in product development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, making the customer central to all design and product decisions.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing collective effort, open communication, and mutual support within multi-disciplinary teams and the broader research community.
• Integrity & Trust: Upholding high ethical standards in research practices and contributing to the bank's reputation for trustworthiness.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Encouraging experimentation with new research methods, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a drive for ongoing learning and development.
• Inclusivity & Diversity: A commitment to building an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and represented, both within the team and in the research conducted.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Working as a close partner with product managers, designers, and engineers, integrating research seamlessly into their workflows.
• Insight-Driven: Fostering a culture where decisions are informed by evidence and a deep understanding of user needs.
• Transparent Communication: Openly sharing research plans, findings, and challenges with relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment and buy-in.
• Learning Exchange: Actively participating in knowledge sharing sessions, mentoring, and feedback exchanges to foster collective growth within the research community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values highlighted are typical of forward-thinking organizations focused on customer experience and innovation. For this role, it's crucial to demonstrate how these values translate into practical research operations, such as inclusive research practices and collaborative insight delivery that supports GTM strategies.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Generative and Evaluative Research: Effectively managing the demands of both exploratory research (uncovering new needs) and validation research (testing existing solutions) within tight project timelines.
• Influencing Stakeholders in a Large Organization: Navigating complex organizational structures and stakeholder priorities to ensure research insights are heard, understood, and acted upon.
• Synthesizing Diverse Data: Integrating findings from various qualitative and quantitative sources, including behavioral data, survey results, and user feedback, into cohesive and actionable narratives.
• Fixed-Term Contract Constraints: Adapting quickly to a new environment and delivering significant impact within a 12-month timeframe, while also managing the uncertainty of contract duration.
• Adapting to Payments Domain: Quickly gaining a deep understanding of the Payments landscape, customer behaviors, and regulatory considerations within financial services.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a wide array of qualitative and quantitative techniques, potentially including specialized areas like accessibility or behavioral economics.
• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Deepening expertise in the financial services sector, particularly in payments, which is a complex and rapidly evolving area.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Enhancing skills in product strategy, UX design principles, and agile development processes through close collaboration.
• Community Learning: Engaging with a large internal research community to learn from peers, share best practices, and stay updated on industry trends.
• Potential for Future Opportunities: Demonstrating strong performance could open doors for contract extensions or permanent positions within Lloyds Banking Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are framed to appeal to ambitious researchers. The focus on "influencing stakeholders" and "synthesizing diverse data" ties directly back to the operational aspects of translating research into business impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a research strategy for a new product or feature. What was your process, and how did you ensure it aligned with business goals?" (Focus on strategic planning, stakeholder alignment, and roadmap creation.)
• "How do you prioritize research questions when faced with multiple competing needs from design, product, and engineering teams?" (Demonstrate your approach to stakeholder management and resource allocation.)
• "Walk me through a research project where your insights significantly influenced a product decision or strategy. What was the impact?" (Prepare a strong case study focusing on actionable insights and measurable outcomes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Lloyds Banking Group and our mission to 'help Britain prosper'?" (Research the company's values, recent initiatives, and financial performance.)
• "How do you approach building relationships and collaborating with cross-functional teams, particularly in an agile environment?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills.)
• "What are your thoughts on hybrid working and how do you ensure effective collaboration and productivity in such a model?" (Show you understand and can thrive in a hybrid setting.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Begin with an overview of your role and the project context. Clearly state the problem/opportunity, your research objectives, your methodology, key findings, and the resulting recommendations/impact.
• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your methodological choices and how your insights directly addressed the business problem.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present data or metrics that demonstrate the success of your research and its contribution to business outcomes (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced support tickets, increased user satisfaction scores).
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your process, data analysis, participant recruitment, and how you handled any challenges or unexpected findings.
• Showcase Collaboration: Briefly mention how you worked with other disciplines and presented your findings to influence decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview tips are designed to help candidates showcase their strategic thinking, collaborative abilities, and their capacity to deliver impactful research that drives business and operational outcomes, particularly within a large financial institution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Lloyds Banking Group careers portal, ensuring your CV is up-to-date and highlights relevant experience.
• Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to emphasize your experience in qualitative and quantitative research, research strategy development, stakeholder influence, and working within product teams. Use keywords from the job description.
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest research projects that best demonstrate your skills against the requirements. Ensure each project clearly articulates the problem, your approach, your insights, and the impact. Be ready to present this virtually or in person.
• Research Lloyds Banking Group: Understand the company's mission, values, and recent performance, particularly any digital transformation initiatives or news related to their Payments division.
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation and prepare answers to common interview questions, focusing on behavioral examples and demonstrating your problem-solving approach.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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