UX Researcher (Digital Strategy And Product) (English Services)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher (Digital Strategy And Product) (English Services) Company: CBC/Radio-Canada Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: User Experience Research / Digital Strategy Date Posted: 2025-09-16 Experience Level: Mid-Level

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead user experience research initiatives for product discovery and delivery within CBC Digital Strategy & Products.
• Collaborate with Product Managers and Product Designers to identify knowledge gaps and propose strategic research initiatives.
• Execute end-to-end research projects, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods to inform product development and enhance user experience.
• Synthesize and present actionable research findings that drive product decisions and contribute to business objectives.
• Ensure research operations advance accessibility and inclusivity in all digital product development efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is crucial for understanding user needs and behaviors to shape CBC's digital product roadmap. The focus on collaboration and actionable insights indicates a need for strong communication and analytical skills, typical for mid-level operations support roles that bridge user understanding with product strategy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with product teams to identify and prioritize research initiatives that align with quarterly objectives and overarching product strategy.
• Conduct comprehensive user research using a variety of qualitative methods, including user interviews, usability testing, diary studies, and contextual inquiries.
• Employ quantitative research techniques such as surveys, A/B testing, and analysis of product analytics to gather measurable user insights.
• Synthesize complex research data into clear, actionable insights and compelling recommendations for product managers, designers, and other key stakeholders.
• Present research findings effectively to diverse audiences, securing buy-in for strategic recommendations from product teams and leadership.
• Proactively identify and collaborate on intersecting research initiatives across different product teams to avoid duplication and maximize efficiency.
• Stay abreast of emerging user behavior trends and industry best practices to continuously inform and enhance product development strategies.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of research processes, methodologies, and documentation to foster organizational knowledge sharing and consistency.
• Champion inclusivity and accessibility in all UX research activities, ensuring diverse user perspectives are integrated into the product design lifecycle.
• Explore and leverage innovative UX research technologies and tools to improve data gathering, analysis, and synthesis capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and collaborative approach to research, requiring the candidate to not only execute studies but also to strategically identify research needs and influence product direction. The inclusion of accessibility and inclusivity highlights a commitment to ethical and user-centric design principles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A degree in a behavioral research-related field such as Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related discipline. Equivalent practical work experience in UX research will also be considered.

Experience: A minimum of 2+ years of applied UX research experience with a demonstrated track record of delivering valuable insights that have directly contributed to product development and improvement. This experience should encompass both strategic research planning and hands-on execution.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in designing and conducting qualitative research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, ethnographic studies, diary studies).
• Proficiency in quantitative research methods, including survey design, data analysis, and interpretation of user analytics.
• Strong ability to synthesize research findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights and recommendations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex findings to diverse stakeholders, including product managers, designers, engineers, and leadership.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional product teams (product management, design, engineering).
• Familiarity with product discovery and delivery frameworks, and the ability to integrate research insights into these processes.
• Understanding of accessibility and inclusivity principles in UX research and design.
• Ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Proficiency in research documentation and knowledge-sharing practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific UX research tools for participant recruitment, survey administration, or usability testing platforms.
• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to complement qualitative insights.
• Experience in the media or broadcasting industry, with an understanding of digital content consumption patterns.
• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and how UX research fits within them.
• Experience contributing to the development of research operations frameworks or best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for both qualitative and quantitative skills suggests the role needs a well-rounded researcher who can leverage different data types to build a comprehensive understanding of user behavior. The emphasis on actionable insights and stakeholder buy-in points to the need for strong analytical and communication capabilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio demonstrating end-to-end UX research projects, highlighting your role, methodologies used, and key research questions addressed.
• Case studies that clearly articulate the problem statement, research objectives, participant profiles, and the research process followed.
• Evidence of how your research findings directly influenced product decisions, design iterations, or strategic product direction, showcasing tangible impact.
• Examples of how you synthesized complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights and compelling recommendations.
• Documentation showcasing your ability to communicate research findings effectively to various stakeholders, such as presentation decks or reports.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of research plans, including defining research objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies, and outlining participant recruitment strategies.
• Include documentation of research execution, such as interview scripts, usability test protocols, or survey instruments.
• Provide examples of how you analyzed and synthesized research data, potentially including affinity mapping, thematic analysis, or statistical summaries.
• Demonstrate experience in creating research reports or presentations that clearly communicate findings, insights, and recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role to demonstrate practical application of UX research principles and the ability to translate data into actionable product strategies. The emphasis on influence and impact suggests that candidates should highlight projects where their research led to measurable improvements or significant strategic shifts.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As CBC/Radio-Canada is a Canadian public broadcaster, salary ranges for unionized positions are typically determined by collective agreements. For non-unionized positions, salary is generally commensurate with experience and the market. Based on industry standards for a UX Researcher with 2-5 years of experience in Toronto, a competitive salary range would likely be between CAD $70,000 - $95,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and dental benefits package.
• Pension plan contributions.
• Paid time off, including vacation days, personal days, and statutory holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Access to CBC/Radio-Canada's extensive digital resources and platforms.
• Potential for flexible work arrangements within the scope of the contract.

Working Hours: The standard work week is 40 hours. While the role is primarily on-site, flexibility may be available based on project needs and team collaboration requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for a UX Researcher in Toronto with the specified experience level. Actual compensation will be determined by the collective agreement for the position or internal compensation policies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Broadcasting, Media, Digital Media, Public Service. CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster, operating across television, radio, and digital platforms, creating content that informs, entertains, and connects Canadians. This context means a focus on serving the public interest and reflecting Canadian diversity. Company Size: CBC/Radio-Canada is a large, publicly funded organization with a significant number of employees across Canada. This size offers stability and a wide array of internal opportunities, but also implies established processes and a structured environment. Founded: CBC/Radio-Canada was founded in 1936, giving it a long history of serving Canadians and adapting to technological advancements in media. This legacy shapes its commitment to quality, relevance, and national connection.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will be part of the CBC Digital Strategy & Products (DS&P) team.
• This team likely comprises Product Managers, Product Designers, UX Researchers, developers, and other digital specialists.
• The researcher will work closely with specific product teams, reporting to a lead UX researcher or a product lead within DS&P.
• Collaboration is expected across various departments, including content creation, marketing, and technology.

Methodology:

• The team likely follows a hybrid approach, blending agile methodologies for product development with user-centered design principles.
• Data analysis and user insights are central to informing strategy and decision-making.
• Emphasis on iterative design based on continuous user feedback and research findings.
• A commitment to accessibility and inclusivity is a key operational methodology.

Company Website: https://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a large public broadcaster like CBC/Radio-Canada means contributing to a mission-driven organization. The DS&P team's focus on digital products suggests an environment that values innovation and user-centricity within a structured framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level UX Researcher. It requires independent execution of research projects and the ability to collaborate effectively with product teams. The scope includes taking ownership of research initiatives from planning to delivery, contributing to product strategy, and influencing design decisions.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report to a senior member of the UX Research team or a Product Lead within the Digital Strategy & Products division. They will work collaboratively with Product Managers and Product Designers on specific product initiatives.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work directly impacts the success of CBC's digital products by ensuring they meet user needs, are intuitive to use, and align with strategic business goals. Their insights help optimize user journeys, improve engagement, and enhance the overall user experience, contributing to CBC's mission of informing, entertaining, and connecting Canadians.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., generative research, evaluative research, mixed-methods).
• Leadership: Potential to lead larger, more complex research projects, mentor junior researchers, or contribute to the development of research best practices and operations.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse teams across the organization, understanding different facets of digital product development and media production.
• Skill Development: Access to internal training, workshops, and potentially external conferences to stay current with UX research trends and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a UX Researcher at CBC/Radio-Canada likely involves increasing autonomy, scope of projects, and potentially moving into senior or lead researcher roles, or even transitioning into product management or design leadership with gained experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is based at CBC's Broadcast Centre in Toronto, an active and collaborative office environment. It's a hybrid role, likely requiring a significant presence in the office for team collaboration and ideation, with potential for remote work on specific days or for focused individual tasks.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is Broadcast Centre, 205 Wellington St. W., Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3G7. This is a central downtown Toronto location, accessible via public transit.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a dynamic office setting with opportunities for in-person collaboration with product designers, product managers, and other researchers.
• Access to necessary technology, software, and potentially dedicated research facilities or equipment.
• An environment that encourages open communication, feedback exchange, and cross-pollination of ideas among digital product teams.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. While the role is primarily on-site, there may be some flexibility depending on project needs and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city like Toronto suggests a need for candidates who can commute regularly and thrive in a collaborative, office-based team environment, while also being adaptable to project-specific needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application materials (resume, cover letter, portfolio) by a recruiter or hiring manager.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on experience, skills, and understanding of UX research principles and methodologies. You may be asked about your approach to specific research challenges or how you've handled complex projects.
• Portfolio Presentation & Skills Assessment: A key stage will involve presenting a portfolio of your work, highlighting 1-2 key projects. This is often accompanied by a practical exercise or a case study to assess your research planning, execution, analysis, and communication skills. Be prepared to discuss your thought process and the impact of your research.
• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential colleagues, including Product Managers and Product Designers, to assess collaboration style, cultural fit, and ability to integrate research into the product development lifecycle.
• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader in Digital Strategy & Products to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your diverse skill set (qualitative/quantitative, generative/evaluative) and demonstrate your impact on product outcomes.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research process, key findings, your recommendations, and the resulting impact or learnings. Use visuals to support your narrative.
• Highlight Actionability: Emphasize how your insights translated into concrete product changes or strategic decisions. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in task completion rate").
• Showcase Collaboration: Discuss how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed stakeholder expectations, and communicated findings effectively.
• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handled challenging research situations, and how you ensure inclusivity and accessibility in your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a case study or a practical exercise, ensure you understand the CBC's digital products and target audience.
• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a clear, logical research process, even if you need to make assumptions. Outline your plan, methods, and analysis approach.
• Prioritize Insights: Clearly identify the most critical insights and translate them into actionable recommendations.
• Practice Presentation: Rehearse your presentation to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence. Be ready to adapt your presentation based on interviewer feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes practical application and communication of research findings. A strong portfolio presentation is likely the most critical component, requiring candidates to articulate not just what they did, but why and what the impact was.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Tools for usability testing, survey creation, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, Typeform).
• Analytics Tools: Web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) for understanding user behavior and performance metrics.
• Collaboration Tools: Project management and communication software (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams) for working with product teams.
• Data Analysis Tools: Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets) for data organization and basic analysis, potentially statistical software (SPSS, R) for more advanced quantitative analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in interpreting data from web analytics to inform research questions and validate findings.
• Ability to create clear, data-driven reports and presentations summarizing research outcomes.
• Experience with dashboard tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) might be beneficial for visualizing user data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how user data is managed within broader systems can be advantageous.
• Familiarity with how research insights feed into product backlogs and development workflows managed through tools like Jira.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool requirements aren't listed, proficiency with common UX research and analytics platforms is expected. The ability to integrate insights into product development workflows using tools like Jira is also a key operational aspect.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user in all product development decisions.
• Collaboration: A team-oriented approach, actively partnering with product, design, and engineering to achieve shared goals.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on research and analytics to inform strategy and measure success.
• Inclusivity & Accessibility: Ensuring all digital products are usable and welcoming to Canadians from all backgrounds and abilities.
• Curiosity & Continuous Learning: A drive to explore new methodologies, understand evolving user behaviors, and stay current with industry best practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working seamlessly within product teams, bridging the gap between user needs and business objectives.
• Open Communication: Transparent sharing of research plans, findings, and recommendations.
• Constructive Feedback: Willingness to both give and receive feedback on research approaches and insights.
• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking opportunities to contribute research expertise early in the product lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The cultural values emphasize a user-first approach, strong teamwork, and a commitment to making digital products accessible and relevant to a broad Canadian audience. This suggests an environment that values thoughtful research and collaborative problem-solving.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Needs with Tight Deadlines: Effectively managing research timelines to deliver timely insights within agile product development cycles.
• Synthesizing Diverse Data Sources: Integrating qualitative findings with quantitative data and product analytics to form a holistic understanding of user behavior.
• Securing Stakeholder Buy-in: Persuading diverse stakeholders of the value of UX research and championing user needs.
• Navigating a Large Organization: Understanding internal processes and building relationships across different departments to facilitate research and impact.
• Keeping Pace with Evolving User Behaviors: Continuously adapting research methods to understand changing digital consumption patterns and user expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodology Deep Dives: Formal training or self-study in advanced research techniques.
• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend UX research conferences to learn from peers and thought leaders.
• Internal Mentorship: Learning from senior UX researchers or product leaders within CBC/Radio-Canada.
• Cross-Disciplinary Projects: Gaining exposure to different aspects of digital product development, such as product strategy, design systems, or analytics.
• Contribution to Research Ops: Potential to shape and improve the research processes and infrastructure within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to refine research skills in a dynamic media environment and contribute to shaping user experiences for a national public broadcaster, offering both professional growth and the satisfaction of impactful work.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach identifying the key research questions for a new feature on the CBC Gem streaming platform?" (Focus on defining objectives, stakeholder alignment, and method selection.)
• "Describe a time you had to present research findings that contradicted a stakeholder's assumptions. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Assess communication, persuasion, and handling of difficult feedback.)
• "Walk us through your process for synthesizing qualitative interview data into actionable insights for a product team." (Demonstrate analytical rigor, thematic analysis, and insight generation.)
• "How do you ensure inclusivity and accessibility are considered throughout your UX research process?" (Focus on ethical considerations, diverse participant recruitment, and inclusive methodologies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about CBC/Radio-Canada's mission and its role in Canadian media?" (Showcase research on the company's public service mandate and digital strategy.)
• "How would you contribute to a collaborative team environment focused on digital product innovation?" (Highlight teamwork, communication, and knowledge-sharing.)
• "How do you measure the impact of your UX research on product success and business goals?" (Discuss metrics, ROI, and linking research to outcomes.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your role and the project's context. Detail your research process, showcasing key artifacts (e.g., interview guides, survey questions). Present your findings clearly, emphasizing the "so what?" – the insights and implications. Conclude with your recommendations and any observed impact or learnings.
• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate how your research directly influenced product decisions or outcomes. Quantify results where possible.
• Demonstrate Thought Process: Be prepared to explain why you chose specific methodologies, how you recruited participants, and how you analyzed the data.
• Visuals: Use compelling visuals (e.g., personas, journey maps, key quotes, charts) to illustrate your points and make your presentation engaging.
• Conciseness: Aim for a clear, focused presentation that respects the allotted time, leaving ample room for questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a robust understanding of UX research methodologies, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to translate research into actionable product improvements within a collaborative environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the CBC/Radio-Canada careers portal.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 2+ years of applied UX research experience, emphasizing projects where you used both qualitative and quantitative methods to deliver actionable insights for product development. Use keywords from the job description such as "user experience research," "qualitative," "quantitative," "usability testing," "stakeholder engagement," and "product development."
• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a digital portfolio showcasing 2-3 of your strongest UX research projects. For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the methodologies used, key findings, your recommendations, and the impact on the product or business. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a personal website, PDF, or shared drive link).
• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting 1-2 key portfolio projects, focusing on clearly articulating your thought process, the actionable insights derived, and the impact of your work. Be ready to answer questions about your methodology and collaboration style.
• Research CBC/Radio-Canada: Familiarize yourself with CBC's digital platforms (e.g., CBC Gem, CBC.ca, CBC News app), its mission, and recent digital initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

---