Senior Digital Strategist & UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Digital Strategist & UX Researcher

Company: Interactive Strategies

Location: United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Digital Strategy & User Experience Operations

Date Posted: May 01, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days in office for local staff)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end client engagements by planning and executing comprehensive user research programs to inform digital strategies for mission-driven organizations.

• Serve as a trusted digital advisor to senior stakeholders, translating complex research findings into clear, actionable strategic direction and deliverables.

• Drive strategic thinking by leveraging user research, audience analysis, and competitive insights to define digital product and website strategies that align customer needs with business objectives.

• Champion the value of research and human-centered design methodologies within the agency and with clients, ensuring research insights are integrated throughout the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned at a senior level, requiring significant autonomy in client management and strategic output. The focus on "mission-driven organizations" and "nonprofits" suggests a need for candidates who can align strategic recommendations with social impact goals and understand the unique challenges of these sectors. The hybrid work arrangement indicates a need for strong self-management and effective remote collaboration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and manage client engagements from discovery through delivery, acting as the primary strategic and research point of contact.

• Plan, design, and execute a full spectrum of user research methodologies, including stakeholder interviews, user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and synthesis.

• Lead discovery activities such as audience research, competitive analysis, and opportunity assessments, ensuring research rigor is maintained throughout.

• Translate complex research findings and data synthesis into compelling strategic direction, actionable roadmaps, personas, user journeys, value propositions, and information architecture.

• Develop and present high-impact strategic deliverables and presentations that inspire clients and equip cross-functional teams (designers, technologists, content strategists) with clear direction.

• Contribute to new business development by integrating research credibility and strategic frameworks into pitch narratives, proposals, and client presentations.

• Serve as a subject matter expert, guiding clients toward confident, research-driven decision-making, especially in ambiguous or complex situations.

• Collaborate closely with design, creative, technology, and content teams to ensure research informs and aligns with design and build decisions.

• Advocate for the value of user research and human-centered design principles within the agency and client organizations.

• Leverage AI and emerging tools to enhance digital strategy development and client impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of client-facing leadership, deep research expertise, and strategic output. The expectation to "own client engagements end to end" and "guide clients toward confident decision-making" highlights the need for strong client management and advisory skills. The emphasis on translating research into "actionable strategic deliverables" points to a requirement for practical, outcome-oriented strategic thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, Marketing, or a related discipline is often preferred in this field.

Experience: 7–10+ years of progressive experience in UX research, digital strategy, experience design, or consulting, with a strong preference for digital agency experience.

Required Skills:

• Proven hands-on experience planning, designing, and executing user research programs (interviews, usability testing, surveys, synthesis).

• Exceptional strategic thinking with robust analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Outstanding storytelling, presentation, and communication abilities, both visual and verbal.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex research findings into clear, actionable strategic direction.

• Strong understanding of website strategy, UX design principles, information architecture (IA), and product strategy.

• Experience leveraging AI and emerging tools for digital strategy and impact.

• Comfort and proficiency working in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.

• Human-centered and collaborative approach to problem-solving.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience developing brand positioning, value propositions, or messaging frameworks.

• Experience facilitating workshops for brand, messaging, or creative development.

• Experience with research tools such as UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, Dovetail, or similar platforms.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and inclusive research practices.

• Experience with nonprofit or mission-driven organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Experience & Expertise" section clearly states "Hands-on experience planning and running user research — not just directing or interpreting others’ research," which is a critical differentiator for this role. The preference for agency experience and the "Nice to Have" skills related to workshop facilitation and specific research tools suggest a need for pragmatic, execution-focused experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct client projects demonstrating end-to-end involvement in user research and digital strategy development.

• Include examples of research plans, interview guides, usability test scripts, and synthesis reports.

• Present strategic deliverables such as personas, user journey maps, information architecture diagrams, roadmaps, and experience direction documents.

• Highlight how research findings directly informed strategic recommendations and client outcomes.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of defining and documenting research processes, from participant recruitment to final report generation.

• Examples of creating and maintaining strategic frameworks that integrate research insights with business goals.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating the implementation of IA, UX design principles, or product strategies based on research.

• Demonstrations of how strategic direction was communicated and implemented with cross-functional teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application instructions specifically request "select deliverable examples that showcase your ability to frame recommendations, roadmaps, proposed website IA, or other digital strategy or website elements." This implies the portfolio should focus on tangible outputs of strategic thinking and research translation, rather than just raw research data.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000 per year. This range is dependent upon experience and skills, reflecting the senior nature of the role and the specialized expertise required in UX research and digital strategy.

Benefits:

• Company-sponsored health, vision, and dental insurance.

• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): 4 weeks starting, increasing to 5 weeks at year 3.

• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Company-paid life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.

• 11 paid holidays per year.

• Profit sharing and 401k with company match.

• New business referral bonus.

• Professional development opportunities, including access to training and conferences.

• Flexible work schedule and remote work options.

• Pre-tax DC Metro SmartBenefits for commuting.

Working Hours: Full-time employment, with a standard expectation of approximately 40 hours per week. The company offers a flexible work schedule, allowing for some autonomy in managing work hours while meeting client and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified salary range of $90,000-$120,000 for a Senior Digital Strategist & UX Researcher in the United States aligns with industry benchmarks for experienced professionals in this field, particularly within agency settings that focus on strategic client work. The comprehensive benefits package, including profit sharing and significant PTO, indicates a strong focus on employee well-being and long-term retention.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency, specializing in strategy, UX, and design for mission-driven organizations (nonprofits, associations, health, veterans, environmental sectors).

Company Size: The provided information suggests a medium-sized agency, likely between 50-200 employees, based on the DC headquarters and national reach, and the mention of a "beautiful office" requiring local staff to come in twice a week.

Founded: The company was founded with a clear motto: "Everyone deserves to come to work and be happy." This ethos emphasizes employee well-being, quality of work, nurturing individual strengths, and fostering innovation and creative freedom.

Team Structure:

• The operations and strategy teams likely consist of specialized roles such as strategists, UX researchers, designers, technologists, and content specialists.

• This role reports into a senior strategy lead or director, with direct client interaction and leadership responsibilities for specific accounts.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategy: A strong emphasis on research, user insights, and data analysis to ground all strategic recommendations.

• Human-Centered Design: Prioritizing user needs and behaviors in the design and development of digital experiences.

• Agile & Collaborative Workflow: Working closely with multidisciplinary teams throughout the project lifecycle, from discovery to delivery, often in an agile or iterative manner.

• Impact-Oriented Approach: Focusing on creating meaningful impact for mission-driven clients, aligning digital efforts with organizational goals and societal benefit.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture description highlights a strong emphasis on employee happiness, innovation, and a values-driven approach, particularly serving mission-driven clients. This suggests a work environment that values collaboration, creativity, and a desire to make a positive impact. The "strategy-first mindset" is a key characteristic that operations professionals should align with.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Senior," indicating a professional with substantial experience (7-10+ years) who is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, lead client engagements, and mentor junior team members. The scope includes strategic planning, research leadership, and client advisory.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Digital Strategist & UX Researcher will likely report to a Director of Strategy or a similar senior leadership position within the agency's strategy or client services department. They will collaborate closely with project managers and leads of other disciplines (design, development).

Operations Impact: The role directly influences the digital direction and success of mission-driven organizations. By translating research into actionable strategies, this position impacts client acquisition, engagement, advocacy, and overall mission achievement. Strategic recommendations can lead to significant improvements in user experience, website effectiveness, and digital program ROI for clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into roles like Lead Digital Strategist, Director of Strategy, or Head of Research, managing larger teams and more complex client portfolios.

• Specialization & Expertise: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies, industry verticals (e.g., healthcare nonprofits, environmental advocacy), or strategic domains (e.g., digital transformation, AI integration).

• Client Relationship Growth: Develop long-term strategic partnerships with key clients, leading to account expansion and new business opportunities.

• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor junior researchers and strategists, developing leadership and coaching skills.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to the agency's thought leadership through presentations, case studies, and best practice development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies a level of mastery and leadership. Growth opportunities are framed around expanding leadership, deepening specialization, and building strategic client partnerships, which are typical career trajectories for experienced strategy and research professionals in agency environments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company maintains a physical office in Washington D.C., described as "beautiful." It operates on a hybrid model where local staff are expected to be in the office 2 days per week. This suggests a blend of in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Washington D.C. – This location offers access to a vibrant professional community and is a hub for various mission-driven organizations. The "DC Metro SmartBenefits" further indicate a focus on accessible public transportation for local employees.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, especially for hybrid teams, facilitating in-person brainstorming, client meetings, and team cohesion sessions.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard agency digital tools, likely including project management software, collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Teams), and potentially high-end design and research software. The role specifically mentions leveraging AI and emerging tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous idea exchange and relationship building with colleagues from diverse disciplines during in-office days.

Work Schedule: A flexible work schedule is offered, with an expectation of approximately 40 hours per week. This flexibility allows operations professionals to manage their time effectively to balance deep work, client needs, and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model requiring 2 days in the DC office suggests a company that values both the benefits of in-person interaction for collaboration and the flexibility of remote work. Operations professionals should be prepared for structured in-office days and effective remote communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio, focusing on relevant experience, research methodologies, strategic deliverables, and impact. The request for a specific project narrative instead of a cover letter suggests an emphasis on storytelling and direct experience demonstration.

• Skills Assessment: Likely includes a case study or a presentation of a past project from the portfolio. This will assess strategic thinking, research synthesis, communication clarity, and ability to translate insights into action. Expect to discuss methodologies, challenges, and outcomes.

• Team & Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues (designers, strategists) and leadership to assess cultural fit, collaborative style, and ability to contribute to the team's dynamic and client relationships.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall strategic vision, career aspirations, and alignment with the company's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 strong, relevant projects that showcase end-to-end involvement in research and strategy. Prioritize projects that align with the agency's focus on mission-driven organizations.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the challenge, your role, the research methods used, key insights, strategic recommendations, and measurable impact. Use storytelling to highlight your problem-solving process.

• Showcase Deliverables: Include visual examples of key outputs like personas, journey maps, IA diagrams, and roadmaps. Ensure they are well-designed and easy to understand.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your strategies and research. This could include improved user engagement, conversion rates, or client satisfaction.

• Highlight Research-to-Strategy Link: Explicitly demonstrate how your research findings directly led to the strategic recommendations you made.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Case Studies: Be prepared for a hypothetical client challenge or a deep dive into a past project. Practice structuring your response: problem definition, research approach, strategic options, recommended solution, and expected outcomes.

• Articulate Your Process: Be ready to clearly explain your research methodologies, why you chose them, and how you synthesized findings.

• Demonstrate Strategic Acumen: Focus on how you translate insights into actionable business strategies that align with client goals and user needs.

• Practice Presentation Skills: Rehearse your presentation, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and engaging delivery. Be ready to answer questions thoughtfully and adapt your responses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process requires a narrative about a proud research project instead of a standard cover letter, emphasizing practical experience and storytelling. The portfolio focus is on "deliverable examples" that showcase specific strategic outputs, requiring candidates to present tangible evidence of their strategic thinking and research translation skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Experience with tools for usability testing, surveys, and participant recruitment is highly valued. Examples include UserTesting, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, and potentially specialized tools like Lookback or UserZoom.

• Synthesis & Analysis Tools: Proficiency in tools that aid in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data, such as Dovetail, Miro, Mural, NVivo, or even advanced spreadsheet/database functions.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools used by design teams to understand and iterate on designs, such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (XD), or InVision.

• AI & Emerging Tools: Experience or demonstrated interest in leveraging AI tools for research assistance, data analysis, content generation, or strategic insights.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with platforms like Google Analytics for understanding user behavior on websites and measuring the impact of digital strategies.

• Data Visualization Tools: Ability to interpret and potentially create dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Google Data Studio to communicate research findings and strategic performance.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for this role, an understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, Pardot) fit into the broader digital ecosystem and client goals can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello) for managing client work and team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Tools & Technology Stack" emphasizes research and synthesis tools, with specific mentions of UserTesting, Optimal Workshop, and Dovetail. The inclusion of "AI and emerging tools" highlights a forward-looking approach to digital strategy. While not a direct requirement, familiarity with analytics and project management tools is expected for a senior role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centered: A core belief that understanding people is the foundation of effective digital strategy and user experience.

• Curiosity & Discovery: A genuine drive to ask the right questions, uncover real answers, and explore complex challenges with an investigative spirit.

• Collaboration & Empathy: Working together across disciplines and with clients, fostering an environment of mutual respect, trust, and shared problem-solving.

• Impact & Mission-Driven: A commitment to using digital expertise to help mission-driven organizations achieve their goals and make a positive impact.

• Clarity & Actionability: Translating complex information into clear, practical strategies that teams and clients can confidently implement.

• Innovation & Growth: Encouraging creative thinking, embracing new tools and approaches, and supporting continuous learning and professional development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless partnership between research, strategy, design, creative, and technology teams to ensure holistic project execution.

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct, honest, and empathetic communication, especially when navigating complex client challenges or differing perspectives.

• Feedback Culture: A willingness to both give and receive constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement in processes and outcomes.

• Shared Ownership: A collective responsibility for client success and project outcomes, promoting a team-oriented approach rather than individual silos.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize curiosity, human-centeredness, and a drive for positive impact, aligning perfectly with the role of a UX Researcher and Digital Strategist. The collaborative style is described as integrated and open, suggesting a dynamic team environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working with clients who may have unclear goals or complex organizational structures requires strong analytical skills and the ability to drive clarity from ambiguity.

• Balancing Research Rigor with Project Timelines: Effectively managing research timelines and resources while delivering strategic insights within agency project constraints.

• Client Education & Advocacy: Championing the value of research and user-centered design to clients who may be less familiar with these methodologies or have competing priorities.

• Translating Insights to Action: Bridging the gap between research findings and implementable strategies, ensuring recommendations are practical and align with client capabilities.

• Staying Current: Continuously learning about new research methodologies, digital trends, AI advancements, and evolving user behaviors to maintain a competitive edge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement more specialized research methods (e.g., ethnography, diary studies, advanced analytics integration).

• Strategic Framework Development: Deepening expertise in developing comprehensive digital strategies, including business modeling, product roadmapping, and Go-To-Market planning.

• Client Relationship Management: Developing skills in senior stakeholder management, account growth, and strategic partnership building.

• Industry Specialization: Gaining deeper knowledge and experience within specific nonprofit sectors or mission-driven industries.

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Exploring and integrating new tools and techniques, particularly AI, to enhance research and strategic planning capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the inherent complexities of agency-based strategy and research roles, such as managing client expectations, balancing time, and advocating for best practices. The growth opportunities are aligned with advancing expertise, leadership, and strategic impact within the agency and for its clients.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used user research to significantly change a client's digital strategy. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on research-to-strategy linkage, impact)

• "How do you approach translating complex research findings into clear, actionable recommendations for stakeholders with varying levels of technical understanding?" (Focus on synthesis and communication)

• "Imagine a client wants to redesign their website but has limited budget. How would you prioritize research efforts and strategic investments to maximize impact?" (Focus on practical strategy and prioritization)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What specifically about Interactive Strategies' mission and focus on mission-driven organizations appeals to you?" (Focus on alignment with company values)

• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams (designers, developers, content strategists) to ensure research insights are effectively integrated into project delivery?" (Focus on teamwork and collaboration style)

• "What does 'human-centered design' mean to you, and how do you ensure it's at the forefront of your strategic work?" (Focus on core philosophy)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Craft a Compelling Narrative: For each project, focus on the "story" – the problem, your unique contribution, the insights uncovered, the strategic solutions developed, and the measurable impact.

• Highlight the "Why": Clearly articulate why you chose specific research methods and why your strategic recommendations were the right path forward, directly linking them to research findings.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively to showcase your deliverables (personas, journey maps, IA, roadmaps). Ensure they are clean, well-organized, and easy to interpret.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges encountered, alternative approaches, and how you measured success. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and decision-making.

• Connect to Interactive Strategies: Where possible, draw parallels between your past work and the types of clients and challenges Interactive Strategies addresses.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes demonstrating the direct link between research and strategy, showcasing practical application of methodologies, and aligning with the company's mission-driven focus. The portfolio presentation strategy is geared towards storytelling and clearly articulating the impact of one's work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Digital Strategist & UX Researcher position:

• Submit your resume and select deliverable examples through the application link provided by Interactive Strategies.

• Portfolio Customization: Carefully select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your end-to-end experience in user research and digital strategy, focusing on impact and clear linkage between insights and recommendations.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "user research," "digital strategy," "UX design," "stakeholder management," "information architecture," and "data synthesis," emphasizing your 7-10+ years of experience and agency background.

• Narrative Preparation: Prepare a concise and compelling story about a research project you are particularly proud of, focusing on what you learned, how you executed it, and what change it drove, as requested in lieu of a cover letter.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Interactive Strategies' client work, mission, values, and approach. Understand their focus on mission-driven organizations and be ready to articulate why you are a good cultural and strategic fit.

⚠️ 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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