UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher Company: CDW Location: Virtual - Illinois, United States of America (Remote - USA) Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience Research Date Posted: October 02, 2025 Experience Level: 3-7+ years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end research initiatives, from planning and execution to analysis and reporting, to uncover deep user insights and inform product strategy.
• Drive the integration of user-centered design principles and research findings throughout the digital product development lifecycle, ensuring a cohesive and impactful customer experience.
• Champion user advocacy by translating complex data into compelling narratives that influence product, design, and engineering teams, as well as executive stakeholders.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and evolution of the user research practice within CDW, potentially mentoring junior researchers and sharing best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior UX Researcher, indicated by the 3+ years or 7+ years of experience requirement, suggesting a need for independent leadership of research projects and a significant impact on product strategy. The emphasis on influencing stakeholders and shaping the research practice points towards a role that requires not just execution but also strategic contribution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute comprehensive mixed-method user research studies (qualitative and quantitative) to address critical business and product questions.
• Conduct routine Voice of Customer (VoC) assessments and other feedback mechanisms to gather ongoing user sentiment and identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Marketing teams to define research objectives, scope, and timelines, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Synthesize large datasets from various research activities (e.g., interviews, usability tests, surveys, analytics) into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
• Present research findings and strategic recommendations effectively to cross-functional teams and senior leadership, using storytelling to advocate for user needs and drive data-informed decisions.
• Partner with teams to ensure research insights are translated into tangible improvements in digital customer experiences across B2B, e-commerce, and enterprise platforms.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of research methodologies, tools, and best practices within the organization.
• Mentor junior team members or peers on user research techniques and their application.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of independent research leadership and cross-functional collaboration. The mention of "routine VoC assessments" suggests a need for ongoing monitoring of customer sentiment, beyond project-specific research. The expectation to "shape our research practice" implies a desire for a candidate who can contribute to the maturity of the UX research function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, Design, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in human-centered research (in-person and remote), or 7+ years of experience for candidates with a strong track record.
• Experience in agency, design, or corporate environments; experience in B2B, e-commerce, tech, or enterprise settings is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to balance user research findings, business insights, and team input to inform product and design decisions.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in designing and conducting a wide range of qualitative research methods: user interviews, contextual inquiries, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), co-design sessions, diary studies.
• Proficiency in quantitative research methods: survey design and analysis, A/B testing, card sorting, tree testing, and analysis of behavioral data (e.g., analytics).
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Excellent storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to present findings compellingly to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (Product, Design, Engineering, Marketing).
• Aptitude for quickly learning complex topics, thinking critically, and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with portfolio or work samples demonstrating research impact on real-world digital experiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Voice of Customer (VoC) programs and related data analysis.
• Familiarity with B2B technology solutions, e-commerce platforms, or enterprise software environments.
• Experience mentoring junior researchers or contributing to the development of research best practices.
• Understanding of data analysis principles and statistical concepts relevant to user research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual experience requirement (3+ or 7+ years) suggests flexibility in hiring, potentially accommodating a strong junior candidate or a more seasoned researcher. The emphasis on B2B/e-commerce experience and the ability to balance user needs with business insights are critical for success in this role within CDW's operational context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct research projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of the research process from problem definition to impact measurement.
• For each project, clearly articulate the research objectives, methodologies employed, key findings, and the tangible impact or outcomes of the research on product design, user experience, or business metrics.
• Highlight projects that involved cross-functional collaboration and how research insights were effectively communicated and integrated into product development.
• Include examples of both qualitative and quantitative research, illustrating a mixed-methods approach where applicable.
• Demonstrate experience in synthesizing complex data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research plans, methodologies, and findings in a clear, concise, and organized manner.
• Experience in creating user journey maps, personas, or other artifacts that effectively communicate user needs and behaviors.
• Understanding of how to integrate research findings into existing product development workflows and agile methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, serving as tangible proof of the candidate's research capabilities and impact. The emphasis should be on demonstrating how research directly influenced product decisions and improved customer experiences, aligning with CDW's goal of delivering technology solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $96,000 - $120,000 per year

• Justification: This range aligns with industry benchmarks for experienced UX Researchers in major US metropolitan areas and remote positions, considering the specified experience level and the nature of the role within a large, established technology solutions provider like CDW. Geographic differentials may apply.

Bonus:

• Annual bonus target of 5%, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable bonus plan.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k) with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Access to CDW's employee benefits portal for detailed information: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility may be offered, but core collaboration hours will likely be expected to align with cross-functional teams across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a strong indicator of the role's level and CDW's compensation philosophy for this position. Researching average UX Researcher salaries in Illinois and for remote roles in the US would further validate this range. The bonus structure and detailed benefits information are crucial for candidates to assess the total compensation package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Solutions Provider (IT Solutions and Services) Company Size: CDW is a large enterprise, typically employing thousands of individuals globally. This suggests a structured environment with established processes and ample opportunities for specialized growth. Founded: CDW was founded in 1984, indicating a long-standing presence and deep expertise in the IT solutions market. This history implies a culture that values experience, reliability, and sustained growth.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will likely be part of a Product or Digital Experience team, reporting to a UX Lead, Research Manager, or Director of Product.
• This team will collaborate closely with Product Management, UX/UI Design, Engineering, and potentially Marketing and Sales Operations.
• The structure likely supports a matrixed approach, where researchers may be embedded within specific product squads or work across multiple initiatives.

Methodology:

• CDW emphasizes a data-driven approach to business and technology solutions, which translates to a user research practice focused on generating actionable insights backed by evidence.
• Collaboration and "making it happen, together" are core tenets, suggesting a team-oriented environment where cross-functional partnerships are vital for success.
• The company's focus on delivering technology solutions implies a pragmatic approach to UX, aiming for efficiency, usability, and measurable business outcomes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding CDW's position as a Fortune 500 company and a leading IT solutions provider is key. The "make it happen, together" ethos suggests a collaborative and results-oriented culture. The operations implications are that research must align with business objectives and contribute to tangible improvements in customer-facing digital platforms.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior UX Researcher. It requires independent leadership of research projects and the ability to influence product direction. Candidates are expected to contribute not just to execution but also to the strategic application of user insights.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will likely report into a Product or Digital Experience organization. The direct manager will be responsible for performance reviews, career development, and guiding research strategy. Collaboration will extend across multiple product teams and departments.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work directly impacts CDW's ability to provide intuitive, frictionless, and effective digital customer experiences. By uncovering user needs and validating solutions, this role contributes to customer satisfaction, increased conversion rates, reduced support costs, and ultimately, revenue growth through enhanced digital engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced analytics, generative AI in research) or product domains (e.g., e-commerce, B2B platforms).
• Leadership: Transition into a Senior UX Researcher role, leading larger or more complex research initiatives, or move into a Research Manager position, overseeing a team of researchers.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Explore opportunities in Product Management, UX Design, or even areas like Customer Insights or Market Research within CDW.
• Skill Development: Access to training, conferences, and internal workshops to enhance research skills, analytical capabilities, and presentation techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for a UX Researcher at a company like CDW can be significant, moving from individual contributor to a strategic leadership role. The emphasis on "shaping our research practice" suggests opportunities for individuals who want to contribute to the evolution of the discipline within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Remote (Virtual - USA). This indicates a distributed workforce, with most collaboration happening digitally. Office Location(s): While the position is remote within the USA, CDW has significant operations in Illinois, suggesting that many internal stakeholders might be based in that region. The company also operates in the UK and Canada.

Workspace Context:

• The work environment is primarily digital, requiring strong self-discipline and effective use of collaboration tools.
• Expect a fast-paced, project-driven atmosphere common in technology companies, with a focus on agile development cycles.
• Opportunities for virtual team building and social interaction will be available to foster a sense of connection within the remote workforce.
• Access to necessary software and collaboration platforms will be provided.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week is expected.
• Flexibility in daily working hours may be possible, but candidates must be available for meetings and collaborative sessions that align with team schedules, potentially across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a remote role, understanding the company's approach to remote work culture, communication norms, and virtual collaboration tools is essential. CDW's emphasis on "coworkers, not just employees" suggests an effort to build strong connections despite the remote nature of the role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into experience, research methodologies, and approach to problem-solving.
• Portfolio Review: Presentation of 2-3 key research projects, focusing on methodology, insights, impact, and collaboration. This is a critical stage.
• Cross-functional Interview(s): Interviews with potential collaborators (e.g., Product Manager, Designer, Engineer) to assess teamwork and communication skills.
• Final Round/Executive Interview: May involve a senior leader to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Storytelling: Structure your presentations around a narrative: the problem, your approach, the findings, and the impact.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the business value of your research.
• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight how you partnered with other teams and influenced decisions.
• Methodological Breadth: Be prepared to discuss the rationale behind your chosen methods and how you adapted them.
• Be Concise: Focus on the most impactful projects and clearly articulate your role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential case studies or hypothetical research scenarios during interviews.
• Think about how you would approach a research problem given specific constraints (e.g., time, budget, data availability).
• Practice articulating your thought process and justifying your methodological choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most crucial part of the interview process for a UX Researcher. Candidates should select projects that best showcase their end-to-end research capabilities, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive impact within a business context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com (or similar for remote usability testing), Qualtrics (for surveys and panel management).
• Analysis & Synthesis: Dovetail (for qualitative data management and analysis), Miro/Mural (for collaborative whiteboarding, journey mapping, affinity diagramming).
• Analytics & Data: Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior on digital platforms), Google Analytics (potentially).
• Design & Prototyping: Figma (for understanding designs and collaborating with designers, potentially for usability testing of prototypes).

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary tool for a UX Researcher, understanding how data from CRM systems (like Salesforce) might inform research or how research findings impact CRM-related customer journeys is beneficial.

Other Potential Tools:

• SurveyMonkey, Typeform (for survey creation)
• Statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) if quantitative analysis is deep.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in a range of user research tools is expected. The inclusion of Adobe Analytics and Figma suggests a need for researchers to be comfortable working with digital product analytics and design artifacts, highlighting a more integrated role within the product development process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for customer needs to drive exceptional digital experiences.
• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals ("Make it happen, together").
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging research and analytics to inform strategies and measure impact.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages exploring new approaches and refining processes to deliver better outcomes.
• Integrity & Trust: Upholding high standards in research ethics and data handling, fostering trust with users and stakeholders.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working closely with Product Management and Design to co-create user-centered solutions.
• Influence: Using data and compelling narratives to guide stakeholders and advocate for user needs.
• Transparency: Sharing research plans, findings, and insights openly with relevant teams.
• Agile Integration: Participating in agile ceremonies and adapting research to fit development sprints.

📝 Enhancement Note: CDW's stated values of "Trust, connection, and commitment" and "Make it happen, together" are central to their culture. For a UX Researcher, this translates to a collaborative environment where user insights are valued and integrated into product development through strong partnerships.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Synthesizing diverse perspectives from Product, Design, Engineering, and Business to arrive at user-centered solutions that also meet business objectives.
• Driving Impact in a Large Organization: Ensuring research insights are effectively communicated, understood, and acted upon across different teams and levels.
• Rapidly Evolving Technology Landscape: Staying current with new technologies, user behaviors, and research methodologies in the IT solutions space.
• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Maintaining strong working relationships and clear communication in a fully remote environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Access to training, workshops, or conferences focused on cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Domain Expertise: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in CDW's core markets (e.g., B2B, e-commerce, cloud solutions).
• Leadership Skills: Development programs focused on influencing, stakeholder management, and potentially team leadership.
• Tool Proficiency: Training on advanced features of research and analytics tools used by CDW.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a proactive, adaptable, and highly communicative researcher. Growth opportunities are geared towards both deepening expertise and broadening influence within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a skeptical stakeholder with your research findings. What was your approach and what was the outcome?" (Focus on communication, data visualization, and tailored messaging.)
• "How do you decide which research methodology is most appropriate for a given problem?" (Demonstrate understanding of trade-offs, goals, and constraints.)
• "Imagine you're tasked with improving the checkout experience on our e-commerce platform. Outline your research plan." (Showcase structured thinking, mixed-methods approach, and user-centricity.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CDW and our mission to provide technology solutions?" (Research CDW's business, values, and recent news.)
• "How do you approach collaboration with product managers and designers?" (Emphasize partnership, open communication, and shared goals.)
• "How do you ensure your research findings lead to measurable impact?" (Discuss metrics, follow-up, and integration into product roadmaps.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose projects that best showcase your end-to-end process, problem-solving skills, and demonstrable impact.
• Clearly Define Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in team projects.
• Focus on the "So What?": For each finding, explain its significance and the recommended actions.
• Use Visuals: Incorporate key artifacts (e.g., journey maps, personas, key quotes, data charts) to illustrate your work.
• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodology, challenges, and alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that align with CDW's industry (B2B, e-commerce, tech solutions) will be beneficial. Demonstrating an understanding of how UX research contributes to business outcomes is paramount.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday portal link.
• Tailor your resume: Highlight keywords from the job description such as "human-centered research," "mixed-method studies," "qualitative and quantitative methods," "data analysis," "usability studies," "storytelling," and specific tools like "Adobe Analytics" and "Figma." Quantify achievements whenever possible.
• Prepare your portfolio: Select 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your research process, problem-solving skills, ability to synthesize data, and the impact of your work. Ensure you can clearly articulate your role and the outcomes.
• Research CDW: Familiarize yourself with CDW's business, its core offerings, target markets (B2B, education, government, healthcare), and recent company news. Understand their commitment to technology solutions.
• Practice your pitch: Be ready to clearly articulate your experience, your research philosophy, and why you are a good fit for CDW's collaborative, results-oriented culture.

⚠️ 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.