User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher

Company: AffiniPay

Location: Remote - US

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience / Product Research Operations

Date Posted: 2025-08-19T11:10:19

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead independent user research initiatives for critical product features, driving user-centered design and development.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, engineering, and data analytics teams to uncover user needs and translate insights into actionable business strategies.

• Develop and deliver compelling research findings and recommendations through strong storytelling and presentation skills.

• Act as the primary advocate for the user, ensuring their needs and pain points are understood and addressed within the legal tech and fintech product landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is "User Researcher," its emphasis on driving business objectives, collaborating with product and design, and translating insights into solutions positions it within the broader Product Operations or GTM Operations sphere, focusing on the foundational user research that informs product strategy and market fit.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently conduct generative and evaluative user research across various product experiences, employing rigorous qualitative methodologies.

• Partner closely with Product Managers, Product Designers, Data Analysts, and leadership to define research objectives, scope, and timelines.

• Develop and present clear, concise, and impactful research findings, reports, and artifacts tailored to motivate cross-functional stakeholders and inform strategic decisions.

• Cultivate a deep understanding of user behaviors, needs, and pain points within the legal tech and fintech sectors, serving as the authoritative voice of the customer.

• Identify strategic opportunities for product enhancement and business growth by uncovering unmet user needs and market gaps.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research processes and methodologies within the product development lifecycle.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support product strategy and user understanding initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight ownership of research projects, cross-functional collaboration, and the strategic application of user insights, aligning with advanced operations roles that bridge user understanding with business outcomes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Information Science, or a related field is typically expected for this level of research expertise.

Experience: 2-5 years of hands-on industry experience specifically in conducting qualitative user research. This experience should include a proven track record of independently leading research projects from inception to completion, demonstrating the ability to connect research outcomes to broader business objectives and key performance indicators.

Required Skills:

• Qualitative User Research: Expertise in designing and executing various qualitative research methods (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry, diary studies).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with product managers, designers, engineers, data analysts, and business stakeholders.

• Storytelling & Presentation: Exceptional skills in synthesizing research findings into compelling narratives and delivering impactful presentations to diverse audiences.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect research insights to business strategy, identifying opportunities that drive user satisfaction and business value.

• User Advocacy: Demonstrated passion for understanding and representing the user's perspective.

• Industry-Standard Tools: Proficiency in common user research and collaboration tools such as Figma, Zoom, UserTesting.com, Maze, Dovetail, Reduct, and Qualtrics.

Preferred Skills:

• AI & Automation Technologies: Working knowledge of artificial intelligence and automation technologies, understanding their impact on user experiences.

• Domain Expertise: Experience within B2B environments, the FinTech industry, Legal Tech, or with SaaS products.

• Quantitative Research Familiarity: Basic understanding or experience with quantitative research methods and data analysis to complement qualitative findings.

• Agile Methodologies: Experience working within Agile development frameworks and contributing research insights iteratively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize both research methodology and the critical soft skills needed for operations roles: communication, collaboration, and strategic influence. The inclusion of specific tools indicates a need for immediate productivity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Research Project Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end ownership of significant research projects. Each case study should clearly outline the problem statement, research questions, methodologies employed, participant recruitment strategy, key findings, and actionable recommendations.

• Impact Demonstration: Evidence of how your research directly influenced product decisions, leading to measurable improvements in user experience, satisfaction, adoption rates, or business outcomes. Quantify impact where possible.

• Methodological Variety: Portfolios should highlight experience with a range of qualitative research methods and demonstrate adaptability in choosing the most appropriate methods for different research objectives.

• Deliverable Examples: Include examples of research artifacts such as user journey maps, personas, usability test reports, and stakeholder presentations that showcase clarity, conciseness, and strategic insight.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning: Examples of research plans that clearly define objectives, scope, timelines, and stakeholder alignment.

• Data Synthesis: Demonstrations of how qualitative data was synthesized into actionable insights and user-centered recommendations.

• Cross-functional Communication: Artifacts or descriptions of processes used to effectively communicate research findings and recommendations to diverse teams, ensuring alignment and driving adoption of insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: For roles involving strategic product input, a portfolio that demonstrates not just research execution but also strategic thinking, cross-functional influence, and quantifiable impact is crucial. This aligns with the operational aspect of translating research into business value.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a User Researcher with 2-5 years of experience in a remote US capacity, a competitive salary range is estimated between $85,000 - $120,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar remote roles, considering the specific skills and experience requirements, and the company's position in the fintech sector.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with potential company matching to aid in long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO policy, including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays, to promote work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued learning, including access to training, conferences, and relevant certifications to enhance research and operational skills.

• Home Office Stipend: A budget to set up or improve a home office environment, supporting remote work productivity.

• Equity/Stock Options: Potential for stock options or equity grants, aligning employee success with company growth.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, aligning with a full-time employment commitment. However, the remote nature of the role and the focus on outcomes may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling, provided core collaboration hours and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on general US remote market data for this experience level and role type. Benefits are typical for established tech companies, particularly those with a remote-first or hybrid approach, aiming to attract and retain talent in competitive fields like FinTech.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (FinTech), specifically serving legal professionals with payment solutions. AffiniPay operates in a high-growth, dynamic sector characterized by rapid innovation, evolving regulatory landscapes, and a strong focus on user experience to drive adoption.

Company Size: AffiniPay is part of the MyCase family of products, which indicates it's a growing organization with established structures but retains the agility of a focused product team. The broader company size likely offers stability and resources, while the specific product team operates with a more focused, perhaps smaller, collaborative environment.

Founded: AffiniPay was founded in 2007, giving it significant experience and a mature understanding of the niche legal payment market. This history suggests a stable company with a proven business model, now leveraging technology for further transformation.

Team Structure:

• The User Researcher will likely be embedded within a product team, working closely with Product Managers, Product Designers, and Engineering leads. This team structure promotes tight collaboration and direct impact on product development.

• Reporting structure is likely to a Head of Product, Director of Product Design, or a dedicated Research Lead, depending on the internal organization.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: AffiniPay, as a FinTech company, relies heavily on data to inform product strategy, operational efficiency, and customer understanding. User research is a critical component of this data-driven approach.

• Agile Product Development: The company likely employs agile or iterative development methodologies, requiring researchers to provide timely and relevant insights to support ongoing sprints and product roadmaps.

• User-Centric Design: A strong emphasis is placed on understanding and addressing user needs, with research serving as a primary mechanism for validating assumptions and discovering opportunities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the company's industry (FinTech, Legal Tech) is crucial for tailoring research approaches and understanding user needs. The emphasis on data and agile development implies a need for researchers who can integrate seamlessly into fast-paced product cycles and deliver actionable insights rapidly.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "User Researcher" role, with 2-5 years of experience, is positioned at an intermediate or mid-level within a specialized research track. It offers significant autonomy in managing research projects and influencing product direction, moving beyond junior support roles. It can be seen as a foundational role within a product operations or user experience function.

Reporting Structure: The User Researcher will likely report into a Product Management or Product Design leadership structure. The team dynamic will involve close partnership with Product Managers and Designers, requiring strong communication and influence skills to ensure research findings are integrated into product roadmaps and design iterations.

Operations Impact: User research directly impacts the operational success of products by informing product-market fit, user adoption, and customer satisfaction. Insights from this role can reduce development waste, improve conversion rates, decrease customer support inquiries, and ultimately drive revenue through better product-market alignment. This role is critical for optimizing the product lifecycle from a user perspective.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior User Researcher: Progression to a Senior User Researcher role, taking on more complex and strategic research initiatives, mentoring junior researchers, and potentially specializing in specific product areas or research methodologies.

• Product Management Track: Transition into a Product Management role, leveraging deep user understanding to define product strategy and roadmaps.

• UX Leadership: Move into UX leadership positions, such as UX Lead or Manager, overseeing research functions and contributing to overall user experience strategy.

• Operations Specialization: Develop expertise in broader Product Operations or GTM Operations, focusing on the processes and systems that support product success post-launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path strongly suggests that this role is a stepping stone within a larger product or operations career trajectory, emphasizing skill development in user advocacy, strategic analysis, and cross-functional influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a fully remote work environment within the United States. This model provides significant flexibility and autonomy for employees to manage their work from their chosen location.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, AffiniPay is part of MyCase and has a significant presence in Austin, Texas, which can be an indicator of the company's operational hub and potential for in-person meetups or team gatherings if desired or organized.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect a highly collaborative digital environment utilizing various communication and project management tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Asana/Jira).

• Tech-Enabled: Access to industry-standard research tools (Figma, UserTesting, Dovetail) will be provided or expected to be utilized effectively.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for team interaction will primarily occur through virtual meetings, dedicated collaboration sessions, and asynchronous communication channels. Building rapport and ensuring effective communication are key.

Work Schedule: The role requires adherence to a standard 40-hour work week. However, the remote setup may allow for some flexibility in structuring the workday, provided research tasks are completed on time, collaboration needs are met, and project deadlines are respected. This flexibility is beneficial for aligning work with personal schedules while maintaining operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature implies a need for strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and proficiency in virtual collaboration tools. The company's potential physical presence in Austin might offer optional networking or team-building opportunities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Screening: Initial review of resume and portfolio for relevant experience, skills, and demonstrated impact.

• Recruiter Screen: A brief call to assess overall fit, understand career aspirations, and confirm basic qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about your experience, research methodologies, approach to problem-solving, and understanding of the FinTech/Legal Tech space.

• Portfolio Presentation/Work Session: You will likely be asked to present a case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your research process, insights, and impact. This may also include a practical exercise or discussion simulating a research challenge.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Designers, or Engineers to assess collaboration skills and how you integrate research into product development workflows.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business or user impact of your research. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in task completion," "identified a critical usability issue that was resolved, reducing support tickets by X%").

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, artifacts (personas, journey maps, reports), and clear narratives to illustrate your process and findings.

• Tailor Your Presentation: For the portfolio presentation, choose a case study that best reflects the requirements of the role and the company's domain.

• Demonstrate Process Rigor: Clearly explain your research methodology, participant selection, and data analysis techniques. Show your thought process.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, showcase how your research influenced or was influenced by cross-functional partners.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Research Scenarios: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach research for a new feature or a specific user problem relevant to AffiniPay's products.

• Methodology Justification: Be ready to explain why you would choose certain research methods over others for hypothetical scenarios.

• Communicating Difficult Findings: Prepare examples of how you deliver constructive feedback or challenging insights to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical application of research skills and the ability to translate those skills into business value, a common requirement for operations-adjacent roles. A strong, impact-driven portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, UserZoom (for remote usability testing and feedback collection).

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Dovetail, Reduct, NVivo, Miro, Mural (for organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data, and for collaborative whiteboarding).

• Collaboration & Prototyping: Figma (for reviewing designs, collaborating with designers, and potentially annotating prototypes).

• Communication & Conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet, Slack (for conducting interviews, team communication, and collaboration).

• Survey & Form Tools: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms (for surveys, screener questionnaires, and feedback forms).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly a data analyst role, familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) to understand quantitative user behavior and complement qualitative findings would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool requirement is specified, but understanding how user research informs CRM data strategies or automation workflows could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the listed research tools is a hard requirement. Demonstrating an understanding of how these tools integrate into a product development workflow and support operational efficiency is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user is paramount, ensuring that user needs are at the forefront of product decisions.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Reliance on both qualitative and quantitative data to guide strategy, validate hypotheses, and measure success.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and active partnership across teams (Product, Design, Engineering, Marketing) to ensure alignment and shared understanding.

• Efficiency & Impact: A focus on delivering research that leads to tangible improvements, driving product success and business outcomes efficiently.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset of learning and adapting, constantly refining research methods and processes to enhance effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Partnership: The researcher is expected to be an integral part of the product development process, working hand-in-hand with product managers and designers from ideation through to iteration.

• Insight Sharing: A culture of openly sharing research findings and insights across relevant teams to foster a shared understanding of the user.

• Feedback Loop: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on research approaches, findings, and their application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values a blend of user advocacy and data-driven decision-making, with strong emphasis on collaborative execution within product teams. This aligns with the operational goal of ensuring user insights are practically applied.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Insights into Action: A common challenge in user research is ensuring that findings are not just delivered but actively understood and acted upon by stakeholders. This requires strong communication and influence skills.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the inherent tension between optimizing for user experience and meeting business objectives requires strategic thinking and negotiation skills.

• Rapid Iteration in FinTech: The fast-paced nature of the FinTech industry demands researchers to be agile, delivering timely insights that support quick product cycles.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Effectively building rapport, ensuring clear communication, and maintaining engagement with a remote, cross-functional team requires proactive effort.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodological Deep Dive: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific qualitative research techniques or explore emerging methodologies.

• Domain Expertise Development: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the FinTech and Legal Tech industries, understanding the nuances of professional payment solutions.

• Cross-Functional Skill Building: Learning from Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers to better understand the product development lifecycle and how research integrates into it.

• Strategic Impact Exploration: Developing skills in connecting research findings to broader business strategy, financial metrics, and GTM planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight areas where operational skills—like influencing stakeholders, strategic alignment, and agile execution—are critical for success and professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time your research uncovered a significant user problem that led to a major product change." Prepare a STAR method answer focusing on the problem, your research approach, the insight, the change, and the impact.

• "How do you prioritize research requests when multiple stakeholders have competing needs?" Discuss your framework for prioritization, focusing on business impact, user needs, and resource availability.

• "Describe your process for synthesizing qualitative data and communicating findings to a non-research audience." Detail your methods for analysis and your strategies for creating compelling, actionable presentations.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about AffiniPay and the FinTech/Legal Tech space?" Research AffiniPay's mission, products, and recent news. Understand the challenges and opportunities in serving legal professionals.

• "How do you stay updated on user research best practices and industry trends?" Mention relevant blogs, publications, conferences, or communities you follow.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For your chosen case study, create a clear story: problem, approach, findings, recommendations, and impact.

• Visual Aids: Use high-quality visuals (screenshots, mockups, charts, personas) to illustrate your points and make your presentation engaging.

• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your methodological choices and the strategic implications of your findings.

• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows well within the allotted time and that you can confidently answer questions.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges encountered, and how you would handle different scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just research expertise but also strategic thinking, communication prowess, and a collaborative mindset – all crucial for operations roles that bridge user understanding and business execution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through AffiniPay's careers portal via the provided link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest research projects that best showcase your qualitative research skills, strategic impact, and ability to collaborate. Ensure each case study clearly articulates the problem, your methodology, key findings, actionable recommendations, and quantifiable impact.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "qualitative research," "user insights," "cross-functional collaboration," "storytelling," and proficiency in specific research tools. Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse a concise and compelling presentation of one of your portfolio case studies. Focus on demonstrating your thought process, the impact of your research, and your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

• Research AffiniPay: Understand the company's mission, its products (MyCase, LawPay, etc.), and the specific needs of its target audience (legal professionals). This will enable you to ask informed questions and tailor your responses to the company's context.

⚠️ 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.