Senior User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher

Company: Credit Genie

Location: New York, New York, United States / San Francisco, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience Research / Product Research

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-8+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the definition and execution of research strategy and roadmap for critical product areas, aligning with business objectives and mitigating product risks.

• Drive end-to-end research initiatives, encompassing discovery, design, execution, synthesis, and activation of qualitative and quantitative findings.

• Advocate for the customer by translating complex user needs and behaviors into actionable insights that directly influence product strategy and roadmap prioritization.

• Foster a data-driven product development culture by partnering closely with Product, Design, Engineering, and Data teams to integrate user insights into decision-making processes.

• Contribute to the advancement of research operations by establishing best practices, documenting methodologies, and providing mentorship to other team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as "Senior," indicating a need for a candidate who can operate with a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and potentially mentor junior researchers. The emphasis on "owning research strategy" and "advocating for the customer" suggests a strategic, influential position rather than purely tactical execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and own the research strategy and roadmap for key product initiatives, prioritizing research efforts based on potential impact, business risk, and strategic alignment.

• Design and execute comprehensive research studies utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including but not limited to customer interviews, usability testing, surveys, diary studies, and contextual inquiries.

• Synthesize findings from qualitative and quantitative data sources to generate clear, compelling, and actionable insights that inform product development and strategic decision-making.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners, including Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts, to ensure research insights are understood, integrated, and acted upon.

• Translate research findings into impactful artifacts such as user personas, journey maps, empathy maps, user stories, and strategic recommendations that guide product direction.

• Proactively identify opportunities to uncover unmet user needs and emerging trends, championing a customer-centric approach throughout the product lifecycle.

• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of research operations, including the establishment of standardized methodologies, best practices, and knowledge sharing platforms.

• Mentor and guide junior researchers or cross-functional team members on user research principles and practices, fostering a culture of user empathy and data-informed decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic ownership and hands-on execution, typical of senior-level research roles. The emphasis on "translating research into compelling insights" and "advocating for the customer" suggests a strong communication and influence component to the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, Statistics) or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5–8+ years of dedicated user experience (UX) or user research experience within product development environments.

Required Skills:

• Mixed-Methods Research Expertise: Proven proficiency in designing and executing both qualitative (e.g., interviews, usability testing, ethnography) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, analytics review) research methodologies.

• End-to-End Study Leadership: Demonstrated ability to independently manage the entire research lifecycle, from defining research questions and designing studies to conducting fieldwork, synthesizing data, and presenting actionable findings.

• Customer Interview & Usability Testing: Extensive experience conducting in-depth customer interviews, moderating usability tests, and gathering feedback to uncover user needs, pain points, and product opportunities.

• Study Design & Analytical Thinking: Strong capabilities in developing rigorous study designs, analyzing complex datasets (both qualitative and quantitative), and drawing meaningful conclusions.

• Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate research findings clearly, concisely, and persuasively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership.

• Product Strategy Influence: Experience partnering with Product, Design, and Engineering teams to translate research insights into tangible product improvements and strategic roadmap decisions.

• Tool Proficiency: Familiarity with common user research tools (e.g., for surveys, usability testing, prototyping, analytics) and the ability to quickly learn new technologies.

• High Ownership & Ambiguity: A proactive, self-starter attitude with a strong sense of ownership, the ability to make sound judgments, and comfort operating in ambiguous or rapidly evolving environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Fintech or Regulated Industry Experience: Prior experience conducting research within the financial technology (Fintech) sector or other regulated industries, understanding unique compliance and user trust considerations.

• Advanced Research Methods: Experience with specialized research techniques such as segmentation studies, conjoint analysis, causal inference, or experimental design.

• Research Practice Scaling: Proven experience in building, scaling, or formalizing user research practices within an organization, including developing processes, templates, and team structures.

• Data Analysis Tools: Familiarity with advanced analytics platforms and statistical software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nice to have" section strongly suggests the company values experience in regulated environments and the potential for this role to grow into a leadership position that shapes the research function. The requirement for "equivalent experience" alongside a degree indicates flexibility in educational background if compensated by strong practical expertise.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies Demonstrating Impact: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies that highlight your ability to lead research projects from initiation to influencing product decisions. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your research approach, key findings, and the tangible impact on product strategy or user experience, ideally with quantifiable results.

• Methodological Diversity: Include examples that demonstrate your proficiency across a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, showcasing your ability to select the most appropriate tools for different research questions.

• Synthesis & Insight Generation: Provide evidence of your ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable insights. This could be demonstrated through well-structured reports, presentations, or frameworks that effectively communicate user needs and opportunities.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highlight instances where your research has successfully informed and influenced cross-functional teams (Product, Design, Engineering), emphasizing your role as a facilitator and advocate.

• Problem-Solving in Ambiguity: If possible, include a project that demonstrates your ability to navigate ambiguity, define research objectives, and drive outcomes in less defined product areas.

Process Documentation:

• Research Planning & Scoping: Examples of how you have documented research plans, including clear objectives, target participant profiles, methodologies, timelines, and ethical considerations.

• Synthesis & Reporting Frameworks: Showcase templates or examples of how you structure research synthesis and reporting to ensure clarity, actionability, and accessibility for stakeholders.

• Feedback Integration: Demonstrate how you have established processes for incorporating user feedback and research insights into ongoing product development cycles and iteration loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior User Researcher, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis should be on demonstrating strategic thinking, impact, and the ability to influence product decisions, not just methodological execution. Quantifiable outcomes and clear articulation of how research drove business or product metrics are highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $240,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, effective from the first day of employment.

• Wellness & Fitness: Up to $100 per month in fitness reimbursement or a complimentary full membership to LifeTime Fitness or Equinox.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with an immediate vesting 3.5% company match.

• Daily Convenience: Meal program available for both lunch and dinner, supporting employees throughout the workday.

• Financial Wellness: Pre-tax benefits, including a $1,000 Health Savings Account (HSA) match.

• Protection: Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) policy.

• Additional Compensation: Eligibility for bonus and equity programs.

• Disability Support: Short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position. While specific daily hours are not detailed, the company's emphasis on on-site work and collaboration suggests a standard professional workweek (approximately 40 hours). The company notes flexibility for circumstances requiring remote work or adjusted schedules, indicating a balance between in-office expectations and individual needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Senior User Researcher in major US tech hubs like New York and San Francisco. The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on health, wellness, and financial well-being, aligning with a company focused on financial wellness. The explicit mention of bonus and equity programs indicates a total compensation approach beyond base salary.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech), Financial Wellness, Consumer Finance. Credit Genie operates within the rapidly evolving Fintech landscape, aiming to democratize financial access and empower individuals through technology. This involves navigating regulatory considerations while building innovative, user-centric solutions.

Company Size: The specific size isn't stated, but the mention of "building and scaling research practices" and "industry pioneers" suggests a growth-stage startup or a well-funded scale-up, likely in the range of 50-250 employees. This implies a dynamic environment with opportunities for significant impact.

Founded: Founded in 2019,Credit Genie is a relatively young company, building on the success of its founder's previous venture (Swift Capital, acquired by PayPal). This suggests a culture that values innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and leveraging past successes to drive future growth.

Team Structure:

• The Senior User Researcher will likely be part of the Product or Design team, reporting to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or potentially a Director of Research if the function is growing.

• Collaboration will be highly cross-functional, working closely with Product Managers who define strategy, Designers who create the user interface, Engineers who build the product, and Data Analysts who provide quantitative insights.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Product Development: A core methodology is likely user-centered design, where research insights are integral to every stage of the product lifecycle, from ideation to iteration.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The company emphasizes leveraging both qualitative research findings and quantitative data to inform strategy and product decisions.

• Agile Development: Given the fast-paced Fintech environment, it's probable that agile methodologies are employed, requiring researchers to be adaptable and provide timely insights.

• Iterative Improvement: The focus on "financial wellness" and "improving people's lives" suggests a commitment to continuous improvement based on user feedback and evolving needs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on financial wellness and its founding by a successful entrepreneur backed by prominent VCs indicate a mission-driven, ambitious, and potentially fast-paced work environment. The emphasis on "mobile-first" and "AI" suggests a tech-forward approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Senior," signifying a mid-to-senior level position. It requires a seasoned researcher capable of independent strategic work and influencing product direction. While not explicitly a management role yet, the "growth opportunities" section clearly outlines a potential path towards leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher will likely report into a Product or Design leadership role. They will be a key individual contributor within the product development lifecycle, working in close partnership with Product Managers and Designers. The structure is expected to be collaborative and matrixed, with significant interaction across various departments.

Operations Impact: The Senior User Researcher's impact is directly tied to ensuring Credit Genie builds products that truly meet user needs and solve significant financial challenges. By providing deep customer understanding, this role will drive user adoption, engagement, retention, and ultimately contribute to the company's mission of financial empowerment. Their work will directly influence product strategy, roadmap prioritization, and the overall user experience, which are critical drivers of success in the competitive Fintech market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expanded Product Scope: Opportunity to take on research responsibilities for broader or more complex product areas within Credit Genie.

• Team Leadership: Potential to build and lead a dedicated user research team as the company grows. This would involve hiring, mentoring, and defining the research function's strategy and operations.

• Practice Development: A significant opportunity to shape and mature Credit Genie's user research practice, establishing best practices, methodologies, and a strong research culture across the organization.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Grow influence across the organization, becoming a key advisor on customer understanding and strategy for executive leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are substantial and clearly articulated, suggesting that Credit Genie is looking for someone who can not only execute but also contribute to building out its research capabilities. This is a key selling point for ambitious senior-level candidates.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company explicitly states a preference for in-person collaboration, indicating a traditional office environment. They emphasize that working alongside each other is the "best way to build a great product and foster a strong company culture." This suggests a vibrant, collaborative office space.

Office Location(s): The role is open to candidates in New York, New York, and San Francisco, California. These are major tech hubs, offering access to talent, networking, and a dynamic professional ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site expectation is designed to foster optimal collaboration, inclusivity, and productivity. This means an environment where spontaneous discussions, brainstorming sessions, and quick problem-solving with colleagues are encouraged.

• Tools & Technology: While specific tools are detailed in a separate section, it's implied that the workspace will be equipped with the necessary technology and infrastructure to support research activities and cross-functional collaboration.

• Team Interaction: The emphasis on in-person work provides ample opportunities for direct interaction with Product, Design, Engineering, and Data teams, facilitating seamless communication and integration of research insights.

Work Schedule: The company expects employees to be in the office five days a week. However, they also acknowledge the importance of flexibility for life circumstances and are committed to supporting employees who require remote work or adjusted schedules when needed. This suggests a balance between structured in-office collaboration and understanding individual needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The strong emphasis on a 5-day in-office work week is a significant aspect of the work environment. While flexibility is mentioned, candidates should be prepared for a predominantly in-office role. This is a key differentiator and may appeal to individuals who thrive in highly collaborative, in-person settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A conversation with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, cultural fit, and interest in Credit Genie.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive with the hiring manager (likely Head of Product or Design) to discuss research philosophy, strategic thinking, leadership potential, and specific experience relevant to the role's responsibilities.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where the candidate presents 1-2 key case studies from their portfolio. This is a critical stage to assess research rigor, synthesis skills, communication effectiveness, and demonstrated impact. Expect detailed questions about your process, decisions, and outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Design, and Engineering teams. These interviews will focus on collaboration style, ability to influence, and how you translate research into actionable product recommendations that align with business goals.

• Final Interview: Potentially a conversation with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Product, CTO, or CEO) to discuss overall strategic alignment, cultural fit, and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select case studies that clearly demonstrate how your research directly influenced product strategy, design decisions, or business outcomes. Quantifiable results are highly valuable.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations to tell a compelling narrative: the problem, your approach, the insights, and the impact. Highlight your specific contributions and decision-making process.

• Showcase Mixed-Methods: If possible, include examples that showcase your ability to leverage both qualitative and quantitative data for robust insights.

• Demonstrate Influence: Be prepared to discuss how you advocated for user needs and navigated potential disagreements or challenges in influencing stakeholders.

• Tailor to Credit Genie: Research Credit Genie's products and mission. Frame your case studies to highlight relevant experiences, such as working in Fintech, building financial tools, or solving complex user problems.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Research Scenario: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical research problem relevant to Credit Genie's products or target audience. This tests your strategic thinking and methodological flexibility.

• Insight Synthesis Exercise: You might be asked to analyze a small dataset or a set of qualitative findings and articulate actionable recommendations.

• Product Strategy Discussion: Be ready to discuss your views on user research's role in product strategy and how to integrate it effectively within an agile development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate a candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and ability to drive impact through research. A strong, well-prepared portfolio presentation is paramount for success at the Senior level.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Survey Platforms: Tools like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Typeform for designing and distributing surveys.

• Usability Testing Platforms: Tools such as UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or internal prototypes for conducting remote and in-person usability studies.

• Interview & Workshop Tools: Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, Miro, Mural for remote interviews, co-creation workshops, and affinity mapping.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools: While not explicitly listed, expect to use tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, or even advanced spreadsheet/document organization) and quantitative analysis (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, potentially R or Python for more advanced statistical analysis).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and track key metrics.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Looker, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets features for creating dashboards and reports that communicate insights effectively to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not directly a research tool, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) can be leveraged for user segmentation or feedback analysis can be beneficial.

• Collaboration & Documentation: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Notion, Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) are essential for project management, documentation, and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong foundation in core UX research tools and methodologies. Proficiency in synthesizing data from various sources, including product analytics, will be critical for a mixed-methods researcher. The ability to adapt to new tools and technologies is also important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A deep-seated commitment to understanding and advocating for the customer's needs, ensuring that user experience is at the forefront of product development.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A culture that values evidence and uses both qualitative and quantitative insights to inform strategic choices and product iterations.

• Collaboration & Transparency: An environment where cross-functional teams work together openly, share information freely, and contribute to a shared understanding of user needs and business goals.

• Innovation & Agility: A willingness to experiment, adapt quickly to market changes, and leverage technology (like AI) to create novel financial solutions.

• Ownership & Accountability: A culture where individuals take responsibility for their work, drive initiatives forward, and are accountable for delivering impactful results.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: The Senior User Researcher is expected to function as a strategic partner to Product, Design, and Engineering, rather than a service provider. This involves proactive engagement, co-creation of research plans, and shared ownership of outcomes.

• Insight-Led Communication: Communication will be focused on translating research findings into clear, actionable insights that drive consensus and inform decision-making.

• Feedback Culture: An open and constructive feedback environment where research findings are discussed, debated, and refined collaboratively to ensure maximum impact.

• Knowledge Sharing: A commitment to sharing research knowledge and best practices across teams to build a more user-centric organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values and collaboration style are geared towards a results-oriented, customer-focused, and highly collaborative team. A candidate who can thrive in this environment, demonstrating both strong independent work and effective teamwork, will be successful.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of a Growth-Stage Startup: Navigating the inherent ambiguity and rapid pace of a growing company, where priorities can shift and resources may be dynamic. This requires adaptability and strong prioritization skills.

• Building/Scaling Research Practice: As a relatively young company, there may be opportunities to formalize and scale the research function. This involves defining processes, establishing best practices, and demonstrating the value of research consistently.

• Balancing Qualitative & Quantitative Insights: Effectively integrating findings from diverse research methods to provide a holistic understanding of user behavior and needs, especially in a data-rich Fintech environment.

• Influencing in a Fast-Moving Environment: Ensuring research insights are timely and effectively communicated to influence decisions in a fast-paced product development cycle.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Expand Research Domain: Gain exposure to a wider range of product areas within Credit Genie's financial wellness platform.

• Develop Leadership Skills: Opportunity to mentor junior researchers and potentially build and manage a research team, honing leadership and strategic planning abilities.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the Fintech industry, regulatory environments, and the unique challenges and opportunities in financial wellness.

• Methodological Advancement: Pursue advanced research techniques, such as experimentation, advanced segmentation, or causal inference, to enhance research impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in growth-stage companies and offer significant opportunities for professional development. Candidates who are proactive problem-solvers and eager to contribute to building out a function will find this role particularly rewarding.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach defining research priorities for a new product feature in a fast-paced Fintech environment, balancing user needs with business objectives?" (Assesses strategic thinking, prioritization, and understanding of business context.)

• "Describe a time your research findings challenged a prevailing assumption or decision within a product team. How did you advocate for your insights and what was the outcome?" (Evaluates influence, advocacy skills, and handling of constructive conflict.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Credit Genie, what do you see as the biggest user research opportunities or challenges for our platform?" (Assesses research into the company and strategic thinking.)

• "How do you see the role of a Senior User Researcher contributing to our company culture, particularly regarding customer advocacy and data-driven decision-making?" (Evaluates cultural fit and understanding of the role's impact.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the business problem, your research question, the methods used, key insights, and most importantly, the tangible impact your research had on the product or business. Use metrics where possible.

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your individual contributions, especially in collaborative projects.

• Demonstrate Process: Walk through your thought process – why you chose certain methods, how you synthesized data, and how you translated insights into recommendations.

• Anticipate Questions: Be prepared for deep dives into your methodology, data analysis, and how you handled any challenges or limitations.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and be responsive to the interviewers' interests.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a user-centric mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to drive impact. Highlighting experience in Fintech or regulated industries, if applicable, will be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the application form through the provided link on Ashby.

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to highlight your experience in mixed-methods research, end-to-end study leadership, product strategy influence, and any relevant Fintech or regulated industry experience. Quantify achievements whenever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 impactful case studies that demonstrate your ability to conduct rigorous research, synthesize complex data, and drive product decisions. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates the problem, your approach, key insights, and the measurable impact of your work.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling, clarity, and highlighting your strategic contributions. Be ready to discuss your research philosophy and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams.

• Research Credit Genie: Familiarize yourself with Credit Genie's mission, products, and target audience. Consider potential user research opportunities and challenges for the company, and be prepared to discuss them.

⚠️ 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.