UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: KUBRA

Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research

Date Posted: March 26, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead user experience research initiatives to uncover critical insights that inform product strategy and drive user-centered design decisions.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to translate user needs into intuitive and valuable product features.

• Plan, execute, and analyze mixed-methods research studies, including generative interviews, concept testing, surveys, and usability testing.

• Advocate for user needs and ensure that design decisions align with both user requirements and overarching business objectives.

• Continuously optimize UX research processes and workflows to enhance research efficiency and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a mid-level UX Researcher, requiring a solid foundation in research methodologies and the ability to work independently within an agile framework. The emphasis on B2B practices and customer communications solutions suggests a focus on enterprise-level user experiences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user experience research using a variety of methodologies to gather actionable insights.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product, Design, Engineering) to define research objectives, scope, and methodology.

• Plan and execute mixed-methods research, including generative interviews, concept testing, surveys, evaluative unmoderated studies, and usability testing.

• Recruit participants for research studies, ensuring a diverse representation of target user groups.

• Analyze research data and translate findings into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for product and design teams.

• Present research findings and recommendations to diverse audiences, including stakeholders, product managers, designers, and engineers, through written reports and oral presentations.

• Advocate for user-centered design principles and best practices throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UX research processes, tools, and methodologies.

• Develop user personas, journey maps, and other artifacts to represent user needs and behaviors.

• Stay current with UX research trends, tools, and best practices, particularly within the B2B technology and customer communications sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on research role with a strong emphasis on collaboration and communication. The expectation to "discover, innovate, and validate ideas" indicates that this role is involved throughout the product development lifecycle, from ideation to iteration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Design Research, or a related field is typically expected for UX Researcher roles.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in user-centered research.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in mixed-methods user-centered research (2+ years).

• Proficiency in conducting in-depth 1:1 interviews, concept-testing, surveys, and usability testing.

• Experience with evaluative unmoderated studies.

• Skilled in developing user personas and journey maps.

• Familiarity with analytics tools for understanding user behavior.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and engineers.

• Excellent organization, time management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

• Ability to work independently in an agile development process.

• Proactive mindset and ability to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the technology industry, particularly with B2B products and customer communications solutions.

• Knowledge of UX research trends and best practices.

• Experience with remote facilitation and unmoderated research platforms.

• Familiarity with data analysis tools beyond basic analytics (e.g., statistical software, advanced spreadsheet analysis).

• Experience advocating for user-centered design within an organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for B2B practices and technology familiarity is a key differentiator. Candidates with experience in enterprise software, SaaS, or regulated industries will likely have an advantage. The mention of "customer communications solutions" suggests a need to understand complex user workflows and regulatory compliance.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing a range of user research projects.

• Clearly articulate the research problem, methodology, your role, and the impact of your work.

• Include examples of how your research insights directly influenced product decisions and led to measurable improvements.

• Showcase proficiency in various research deliverables, such as reports, presentations, personas, and journey maps.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented research processes and workflows.

• Showcase instances where you contributed to optimizing UX research processes for efficiency and effectiveness.

• Illustrate your approach to translating raw research data into structured, actionable insights and recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to walk through 2-3 key projects that highlight their end-to-end research process, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive impact through user insights. Emphasize projects where research directly led to product improvements or validated new concepts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $115,000 CAD per year. This range is based on the provided information and typical market rates for UX Researchers with 2-5 years of experience in the Mississauga, Ontario area.

Benefits:

• Annual performance-based bonuses.

• Generous benefit coverage with low premiums.

• Healthcare Spending Account.

• Wellness Spending Account.

• RRSP matching.

• Paid vacation days.

• Paid sick days.

• Paid day off for your birthday.

• Two paid volunteer days.

• Free access to LinkedIn Learning.

• Education reimbursement program.

• Employee recognition programs.

• Free premium Headspace membership.

• Unlimited access to fully stocked beverage stations.

• Perkopolis retail discounts.

Working Hours: The role is advertised as full-time, typically implying a standard 40-hour work week. The hybrid nature allows for flexibility between remote and in-office work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level UX Researcher in the Greater Toronto Area. The comprehensive benefits package, including health, wellness, and professional development funds, is a significant draw and reflects a supportive employee-centric culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, specifically Customer Communications Solutions, Billing and Payments, AI, and Mobile Applications. KUBRA is an operating subsidiary of Hearst.

Company Size: KUBRA is described as "small enough to allow creative individuals to flourish, yet large enough to provide long-term stability." This suggests a company size that offers both agility and resources, likely falling into the mid-size category (e.g., 200-1000 employees).

Founded: The founding date is not specified but the company's scale and acquisition by Hearst imply a significant operational history.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will be part of a cross-functional team, collaborating closely with Product Design, Product Management, and Development.

• The reporting structure is not explicitly defined, but UX Researchers typically report into a Design Lead, Product Lead, or a dedicated UX Research Manager.

Methodology:

• KUBRA emphasizes a "user-centered" approach, with the UX Researcher playing a pivotal role in ensuring user needs are at the forefront of product development.

• The agile development process implies iterative design and research cycles, requiring flexibility and responsiveness from the research team.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the use of analytics tools and the need to translate research findings into actionable recommendations.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: KUBRA's affiliation with Hearst suggests a strong foundation in media and information services, likely translating into a data-informed and quality-focused culture. The emphasis on a casual yet productive work environment aligns with modern tech company values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for a mid-level UX Researcher, indicating a need for independent work and the ability to manage research projects from start to finish. It's a step beyond an entry-level position, requiring a solid understanding of research methodologies and their application.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of UX/Product. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineers, contributing to product strategy and roadmap decisions.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's impact is critical for ensuring KUBRA's customer communication solutions are intuitive, effective, and meet the evolving needs of users in the utility, insurance, and government sectors. By providing insights into user behavior and preferences, this role directly influences product development, user satisfaction, and ultimately, customer engagement and retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative analysis, quantitative modeling) or domain areas (e.g., B2B SaaS, customer engagement platforms).

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior UX Researcher role, mentoring junior researchers, leading larger research initiatives, or managing a research team.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Transition into Product Management or UX Design roles, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and product strategy.

• Continuous Learning: Utilize provided resources like LinkedIn Learning and education reimbursement for professional development and skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path here is typical for UX Researchers, offering opportunities for both specialization and broader leadership roles. The company's focus on customer communications and AI suggests potential for growth in emerging technology research.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring a balance of remote work and in-office presence in Mississauga, ON.

Office Location(s): Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Specific office details regarding amenities and accessibility are not provided but can be inferred to support a productive hybrid work environment.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is described as "casual" and designed to encourage creative individuals to flourish, suggesting an open and collaborative atmosphere.

• Access to fully stocked beverage stations and a focus on employee well-being (Headspace, Wellness Spending Account) indicate a supportive and comfortable office environment.

• Opportunities for interaction with product, design, and engineering teams are ample, fostering a collaborative and integrated work experience.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) with flexibility inherent in a hybrid model. The role requires proactive time management to balance research activities, collaboration, and personal well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Mississauga offers a blend of focused remote work and in-person collaboration, which is ideal for research activities requiring deep concentration and team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and conduct a brief initial call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing 2-3 key projects that showcase their research process, methodologies, and impact. This is a critical stage.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion about experience, research philosophy, problem-solving skills, and how the candidate would contribute to KUBRA's goals.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with members of the Product, Design, or Engineering teams to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.

• Final Interview/Offer: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader, followed by an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of user needs, rigorous research execution, and demonstrable business impact.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation to tell a narrative: the problem, your approach, the challenges, your solutions, and the outcomes.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to illustrate the impact of your research (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased user satisfaction by Y%", "informed a feature that led to Z% adoption").

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with others, synthesized feedback, and navigated team dynamics.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect questions about your methodology choices, how you handled difficult stakeholders, or what you would do differently.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential take-home assignments or live problem-solving exercises related to analyzing user data or designing a research plan for a given scenario.

• Practice articulating your research process concisely and clearly.

• Be ready to discuss your understanding of KUBRA's products and target audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is likely the most crucial part of the interview process for this role. Candidates should invest significant time in preparing their presentation to clearly articulate their value and research impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Methodologies: Mixed-methods (qualitative & quantitative), generative interviews, concept testing, surveys, evaluative unmoderated studies, usability testing, user personas, journey mapping.

• Analytics & Reporting: General analytics tools (specifics not mentioned, but could include web analytics, product analytics platforms like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or user feedback platforms).

• Collaboration & Documentation: Tools for collaborative document creation and presentation (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Confluence, Miro).

• Recruitment: Platforms for participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Respondent.io, internal participant panels).

CRM & Automation: While not directly used by UX Researchers, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) or customer communication platforms are used can provide context for user behavior.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, candidates should be conversant in common UX research platforms and methodologies. Familiarity with tools that support B2B SaaS product development and customer engagement analytics would be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value, driven by the UX Researcher's mandate to champion user needs.

• Collaboration: Essential for working effectively with product, design, and engineering teams.

• Innovation & Growth: Encouraged through an award-winning culture that supports learning and development.

• Diversity & Inclusion: A stated commitment, fostering an equitable and inspiring workplace.

• Results-Oriented: Emphasis on proactive work and tangible outcomes, as noted in the "Strengths" section.

Collaboration Style:

• The team fosters a collaborative environment where insights from research directly inform product decisions.

• Expectation of active participation in recurring team meetings and project discussions.

• A culture that values open communication and the sharing of findings to drive collective understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be a blend of focused, independent work and strong team collaboration, supported by a company that invests in its employees' well-being and professional growth.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: A common challenge for UX Researchers, requiring strong negotiation and communication skills to find optimal solutions.

• Working in a Fast-Paced Agile Environment: Requires adaptability, quick decision-making, and efficient research execution.

• Translating Complex B2B Needs: Understanding the nuanced requirements of enterprise users in sectors like utilities and insurance can be complex.

• Advocating for Research in a Potentially Data-Heavy Environment: Ensuring qualitative insights are valued alongside quantitative data.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or domain knowledge.

• Industry Exposure: Access to LinkedIn Learning and potential for education reimbursement for conferences or courses.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from senior team members and grow into leadership roles.

• Broad Impact: Contributing to a company that serves a significant portion of North American households offers the chance to impact many users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents an opportunity to tackle complex user challenges within a stable, growing company, with ample resources for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you uncovered a significant user insight that changed the direction of a product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on methodology, impact, and collaboration)

• "How do you approach prioritizing research requests when multiple teams have competing needs?" (Focus on stakeholder management, prioritization frameworks, and communication)

• "Walk me through a research project where you had to adapt your methodology due to constraints (time, budget, access). What did you learn?" (Focus on problem-solving, flexibility, and learning)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about KUBRA and our mission to improve customer communications?" (Demonstrate research into KUBRA's products and market)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team environment?" (Align with KUBRA's stated values)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Problem -> Your Role/Approach -> Methodology -> Findings -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.

• Visuals: Use clear, concise slides with minimal text. Incorporate anonymized user quotes, key data points, and visual representations of findings (e.g., affinity maps, journey maps).

• Storytelling: Engage your audience by making the user's experience relatable.

• Quantify: Whenever possible, tie your research to business metrics or product improvements.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate follow-up questions about your decisions, challenges, and learnings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Focus on demonstrating not just research skills, but also your ability to translate those skills into tangible business value and work effectively within a team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.lever.co.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects relevant to B2B technology, customer communications, or complex user workflows. Ensure it clearly showcases your mixed-methods experience and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list your years of experience and specific research methodologies used. Use keywords from the job description like "mixed-methods research," "generative interviews," "usability testing," "B2B practices," and "user-centered design."

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your research process, and answering behavioral and situational questions related to UX research challenges and collaboration.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with KUBRA's products, services, and mission. Understand their target markets (utilities, insurance, government) and how UX research contributes to their success in customer communications.

⚠️ 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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