Senior User Researcher II (12-Month Maternity Leave Coverage)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher II (12-Month Maternity Leave Coverage)

Company: Wrapbook

Location: Remote (Canada & USA)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Operations / User Experience Research

Date Posted: 2026-08-31

Experience Level: 6+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead comprehensive user research strategies and roadmaps for core product areas, aligning research initiatives with customer needs, product direction, and business OKRs.

• Execute end-to-end mixed-method research projects, encompassing discovery, concept testing, usability testing, field studies, surveys, benchmarking, and post-launch evaluations.

• Synthesize complex findings from various data sources into clear, actionable insights and defensible recommendations for Product, Design, Engineering, and Data teams.

• Drive customer understanding and inform product development by leveraging AI-powered research tools and methodologies, while upholding rigorous research standards and participant privacy.

• Foster a data-driven product culture by making research insights accessible, maintaining a durable research repository, and enabling cross-functional teams to effectively utilize customer feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical part of the Product Operations and GTM strategy, focusing on deeply understanding user needs to drive informed product decisions. The emphasis on AI fluency and mixed-method research indicates a forward-thinking approach to user research within a rapidly evolving tech environment. The temporary nature of the role requires candidates to demonstrate immediate impact and a high degree of autonomy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute research strategies and roadmaps for key product domains, proactively identifying high-impact learning opportunities and aligning research priorities with strategic business objectives.

• Frame ambiguous business questions into well-defined research plans, judiciously selecting appropriate qualitative, quantitative, generative, or evaluative methods based on decision-making needs, timelines, risk tolerance, and available evidence.

• Conduct end-to-end research throughout the product lifecycle, from initial discovery and concept validation to detailed usability testing, in-depth field research, comprehensive surveys, performance benchmarking, and post-launch outcome evaluations.

• Translate intricate research findings into clear, compelling, and defensible recommendations that empower Product, Design, Engineering, Data, and other business stakeholders to make informed decisions and drive effective action.

• Build and maintain a cohesive, evidence-based understanding of the customer base by synthesizing research insights with data from product analytics platforms (e.g., Pendo), customer feedback channels, and existing knowledge repositories (e.g., Dovetail).

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define success metrics upfront and subsequently evaluate product outcomes using key performance indicators such as speed, efficiency, comprehension, confidence, error reduction, and overall customer satisfaction.

• Proactively shape product direction by identifying unmet user needs, challenging assumptions with empirical evidence, and integrating the customer perspective into planning and prioritization discussions early in the development process.

• Leverage AI tools and methodologies to accelerate research planning, analysis, synthesis, and knowledge sharing, while diligently protecting participant privacy and maintaining the highest standards of research rigor.

• Develop and champion reusable workflows and best practices that enhance the broader team's ability to learn from customers and integrate user insights into their work.

• Scale the impact of user research by ensuring insights are easily accessible, maintaining a well-organized and durable research repository, and providing guidance and coaching to partners and designers on effective research practices.

• Communicate research status, key decisions, identified risks, and outstanding questions clearly and concisely, ensuring stakeholders and leadership have a transparent understanding of current knowledge, gaps, and recommended next steps.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level expectation for strategic thinking, end-to-end research ownership, and significant cross-functional influence. The emphasis on AI fluency and connecting diverse data sources suggests a sophisticated approach to research operations and product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in user research, product research, or a closely related field, with a demonstrated track record of leading mixed-method studies that have significantly influenced product direction and delivered measurable customer and business value.

• Proven experience in managing the entire research lifecycle, from initial problem framing and study design through participant engagement, facilitation, rigorous analysis, insightful synthesis, compelling storytelling, and ensuring follow-through on recommendations. Required Skills:

• Mixed-Method Research Expertise: Strong command of both qualitative (e.g., interviews, ethnography, usability testing) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B testing, statistical analysis) research methods, with the seasoned judgment to select the most appropriate approach based on the specific decision, timeline, and risk profile.

• Research Strategy & Planning: Ability to develop strategic research roadmaps, identify key learning opportunities, and align research initiatives with product and business objectives.

• Problem Framing & Ambiguity Navigation: Proven ability to translate broad, evolving questions into focused research plans and to operate autonomously in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.

• Analytical & Synthesis Skills: Exceptional ability to connect multiple sources of evidence, identify meaningful patterns, distill durable insights from isolated feedback, and draw actionable conclusions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence: Demonstrated success in collaborating with and influencing Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and business stakeholders to drive evidence-based decision-making.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives that clearly articulate research findings, their implications, and recommended actions.

• AI Fluency & Pragmatism: Proficiency in leveraging AI tools to enhance research workflows (planning, analysis, synthesis) while maintaining a pragmatic approach that balances research rigor with speed, risk management, and participant privacy.

• Customer Obsession & Intellectual Curiosity: A deep-seated passion for understanding customers, a drive for continuous learning, and the confidence to challenge assumptions when evidence dictates.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in complex operational domains such as entertainment production finance, payroll processing, fintech, or accounting.

• Familiarity with specific research tools and platforms like Pendo for product analytics and Dovetail for research repository management.

• Experience with generative research techniques to uncover unmet needs and concept testing for new product ideas.

• Background in conducting benchmarking studies to establish performance baselines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a senior-level researcher capable of strategic leadership, complex problem-solving, and significant cross-functional impact. The explicit mention of AI fluency and the preference for domain experience highlight specific areas of interest for the hiring team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of End-to-End Research Projects: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating ownership of the entire research process, from initial problem framing and strategy development to methodology selection, execution, synthesis, and activation of insights.

• Demonstration of Mixed-Method Expertise: Include examples that clearly illustrate the application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, explaining the rationale behind method selection and how the combination of approaches led to richer insights.

• Impact and Influence Documentation: Provide evidence of how your research directly influenced product decisions, design iterations, or business strategies, quantifying the impact where possible (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors, increased customer satisfaction).

• Synthesis and Insight Generation: Highlight your ability to synthesize complex data from multiple sources (e.g., user interviews, surveys, analytics data) into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

• Process Improvement Examples: If applicable, include examples where you identified opportunities to improve research processes, tools, or team collaboration, demonstrating efficiency gains or enhanced insight quality.

Process Documentation:

• Research Strategy & Planning Documentation: Examples of research plans, roadmaps, or strategy documents that illustrate your ability to align research with business objectives and user needs.

• Methodology Selection Rationale: Clear explanations within case studies or separate documents detailing why specific research methods were chosen for particular problems.

• Synthesis Frameworks & Templates: Showcase any frameworks, templates, or approaches you use for synthesizing research findings to ensure consistency and clarity.

• Insight Sharing & Activation Materials: Examples of how you've communicated research findings to stakeholders (e.g., presentations, reports, workshops) and how you've facilitated the activation of those insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, demonstrating not just research execution but also strategic thinking, impact, and process management. Candidates should focus on showcasing their ability to lead research initiatives and drive tangible business outcomes through user insights.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $149,000 - $205,000 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health and Dental benefits package.

• Up to 2% matching contribution for RRSP (Canada) / 401K (USA).

• Opportunity to work from anywhere within Canada and the USA, providing significant location flexibility. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.

• While remote, a commitment to core working hours that facilitate collaboration with teams across different time zones (particularly North America) will be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in CAD, indicating a potential anchor point for compensation discussions. The benefits are standard for a tech company but the "work from anywhere" aspect is a significant perk for remote professionals. The working hours will require careful management due to the distributed nature of the team.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (AI Platform for Production Finance)

Company Size: 350+ employees. This size suggests a dynamic, growth-stage company where individuals can have a significant impact and influence processes, while also benefiting from established structures and resources.

Founded: Wrapbook was founded with the mission to transform production finance using AI. This innovative spirit likely permeates the company culture, encouraging creative problem-solving and a forward-thinking approach.

Team Structure:

• Product & Design: The User Researcher will be embedded within or closely collaborate with Product Management, Design, and Engineering teams. This structure ensures direct integration of user insights into the product development lifecycle.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Expect close partnership with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Data Analysts, and potentially Marketing and Customer Success teams to ensure a holistic understanding of the user and market.

• Reporting: As a senior individual contributor, the researcher will likely report to a Head of Product, Director of Product Design, or a similar leadership role overseeing product development functions.

Methodology:

• AI-Driven Innovation: Wrapbook's core is built on AI, suggesting a data-informed and technologically advanced approach to all aspects of the business, including product development and research.

• Customer-Centricity: The emphasis on user research indicates a strong commitment to understanding and serving customer needs within the complex production finance domain.

• Agile Development: Given the fast-paced tech environment, it's probable that agile methodologies are employed, requiring research to be iterative and responsive to evolving product priorities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Wrapbook's focus on AI and its specific industry (production finance) implies a need for researchers who can grasp complex workflows and translate them into user-centered solutions. The company's growth stage suggests an opportunity for significant individual contribution and influence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Individual Contributor role (Senior User Researcher II), indicating a high level of autonomy, strategic responsibility, and expected expertise. It's a role for experienced researchers who can lead initiatives and mentor others, rather than manage a team directly.

Reporting Structure: The Senior User Researcher will likely report into a Product leadership function (e.g., Director of Product Design, Head of Product, or VP of Product). This position offers direct influence on product strategy and decision-making by providing critical user insights to key stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The researcher's work will directly impact the usability, effectiveness, and adoption of Wrapbook's AI platform for production finance. By understanding user needs and pain points, the role contributes to building a product that truly solves critical financial challenges for film, TV, and commercial production teams, thereby driving customer satisfaction, retention, and business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in the intricate workflows of production finance, a niche but critical industry.

• Advanced Research Techniques: Exposure to and application of cutting-edge AI-assisted research tools and methodologies, pushing the boundaries of traditional user research.

• Strategic Influence: Direct contribution to high-level product strategy and roadmap development, shaping the direction of a rapidly growing SaaS platform.

• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: Potential to mentor junior researchers or designers on research best practices, and to contribute to building a robust research practice within the company.

• Transition to Permanent Role: While this is a maternity leave coverage, strong performance could open doors for future permanent opportunities within Wrapbook, especially given the company's growth trajectory.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for a seasoned researcher to deepen their expertise in a specialized industry and contribute at a strategic level. The focus on AI in research itself is a key growth area for the profession.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This means the employee will work from their home office.

Office Location(s): The role is open to candidates located anywhere in Canada and the USA. This broad geographic scope allows for a diverse talent pool and offers significant flexibility to the employee.

Workspace Context:

• Autonomous Work: As a remote, senior role, expect a high degree of autonomy in managing your workday, research projects, and communication.

• Digital Collaboration: The primary mode of interaction will be through digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Google Workspace, project management software). Effective virtual communication and collaboration skills are paramount.

• Technology Stack: Access to a robust set of digital tools for communication, project management, and research will be provided, including AI-powered tools to enhance productivity.

• Team Interaction: While remote, the company likely fosters opportunities for virtual team building, knowledge sharing sessions, and cross-functional collaboration to maintain a connected and engaged work environment.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility in daily scheduling is often a feature of remote work, but candidates must be available for synchronous collaboration during core business hours that align with teams in North America. This is crucial for effective user interviews, team meetings, and stakeholder discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature and broad location allowance are key aspects of this role. Candidates must be self-disciplined, adept at remote collaboration, and comfortable managing their work schedule to accommodate team needs across time zones.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A conversation with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role's temporary nature.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deep dive with the hiring manager (likely a Product or Design leader) to discuss research experience, strategic thinking, methodology, and how you handle ambiguity and drive impact.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A dedicated session where you present 1-2 key case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your research process, synthesis skills, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss your methodology, challenges, and outcomes in detail.

• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key partners (e.g., Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, Data Analysts) to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and ability to influence cross-functional teams.

• Final Interview: Potentially a conversation with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Product) to discuss overall fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research ownership, strategic contribution, and measurable impact. Prioritize projects that align with Wrapbook's industry or complex B2B SaaS environments.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative: the problem/opportunity, your research approach, key findings, the insights derived, the recommendations made, and the resulting impact (quantified if possible).

• Highlight Methodology & Rationale: Clearly explain why you chose specific research methods for each project. Demonstrate your ability to adapt methods to the context and decision at hand.

• Showcase Synthesis: Explicitly detail how you synthesized data from multiple sources to arrive at your insights. This is a critical skill for a senior researcher.

• Address AI Usage: If you have examples of using AI in your research process, be ready to discuss them, focusing on how it enhanced efficiency or rigor while maintaining ethical standards.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle conflicting stakeholder opinions, how you ensure research rigor, and how you measure success.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential scenario-based questions where you might be asked to outline a research approach for a hypothetical problem relevant to Wrapbook's domain.

• Practice articulating your research process concisely and clearly, as if presenting to diverse stakeholders who may not have a deep research background.

• Think about how you would approach understanding the needs of production finance teams, the challenges they face, and how AI might play a role in their workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes strategic thinking, hands-on research skills, and the ability to collaborate and influence. A well-prepared and impactful portfolio presentation is critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: While not explicitly listed, expect to utilize tools for participant recruitment, scheduling, and potentially remote moderation (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze).

• AI-Assisted Research Tools: Candidates are expected to be AI fluent and likely use tools for transcription, thematic analysis, summarization, and insight generation (e.g., Dovetail, EnjoyHQ, specific AI transcription/analysis software).

• Data Analysis & Synthesis Tools: Proficiency in tools for analyzing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and potentially quantitative data (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, basic statistical software).

• Collaboration & Communication: Essential tools include Slack for real-time communication, Zoom or similar for video conferencing and remote sessions, and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for documentation and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics: Familiarity with product analytics tools like Pendo is a significant plus, as it's mentioned as a data source for synthesis. Understanding how to interpret and integrate product usage data with qualitative findings is key.

• Data Visualization: Ability to create clear and compelling visualizations of research findings to support reports and presentations.

CRM & Automation:

• Customer Feedback Management: Experience with systems that aggregate customer feedback (e.g., CRM, support ticketing systems) will be beneficial for cross-referencing insights.

• Research Repository Management: Tools like Dovetail are mentioned for managing and synthesizing existing research knowledge, indicating a need for organizational skills and systematic knowledge management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a blend of traditional user research skills and modern technological proficiency, particularly with AI tools and product analytics platforms. The ability to integrate insights from diverse data sources is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsession: A fundamental value, driving the entire team to deeply understand and prioritize user needs in product development.

• Innovation & AI-First Mindset: Embrace cutting-edge technology, particularly AI, to transform complex industries and improve operational efficiency.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Foster an environment where cross-functional teams work together openly, sharing knowledge and insights to achieve common goals.

• Pragmatism & Impact: A focus on delivering practical, actionable solutions that drive tangible business and customer value, balancing rigor with speed and efficiency.

• Intellectual Curiosity & Continuous Learning: Encourage a mindset of exploration, questioning assumptions, and a commitment to staying at the forefront of research methodologies and industry trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Driven: The research function operates as a strategic partner to Product, Design, and Engineering, working collaboratively to define problems and co-create solutions.

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: Insights are shared openly and used as the foundation for decision-making, fostering a culture where data and user feedback guide strategic choices.

• Knowledge Sharing Culture: Emphasis on making research accessible and reusable, likely through a centralized repository and regular sharing sessions, to build collective understanding across the organization.

• Feedback Integration: A culture that values constructive feedback, both in research findings and in team processes, to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Wrapbook values innovation, customer focus, and data-driven decision-making. The collaborative environment emphasizes partnership and transparency, making strong communication and interpersonal skills essential for success.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Domain: Understanding the intricacies of production finance, including regulatory requirements, complex workflows, and specific industry terminology, can be challenging.

• Balancing Rigor and Speed: In a fast-paced environment, maintaining research integrity while delivering insights quickly to inform product decisions requires skillful prioritization and methodological adaptation.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively translating research findings into actionable changes and gaining buy-in from diverse stakeholders with varying priorities requires strong influencing and communication skills.

• AI Integration Nuances: Leveraging AI effectively in research while ensuring ethical data handling, participant privacy, and maintaining research rigor presents a unique set of challenges.

• Temporary Role Impact: As a 12-month contract, demonstrating significant impact and value quickly is crucial.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Production Finance: Gain specialized knowledge in a niche but high-value industry, enhancing your marketability.

• AI in Research Mastery: Become highly proficient in using AI tools to augment the research process, positioning yourself at the forefront of the field.

• Strategic Product Development: Contribute directly to the strategic direction of a growing AI-powered SaaS product, gaining valuable experience in product strategy.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a deeper understanding of product management, engineering, and data analysis through close collaboration.

• Building Research Practice: Contribute to shaping and scaling the user research function within a dynamic company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential by tackling complex challenges in a specialized industry and leveraging advanced AI tools. Success will hinge on the ability to adapt, influence, and deliver impact within a defined timeframe.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to frame a research strategy from a broad, ambiguous business question. How did you define the scope, methods, and expected outcomes?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and how you brought clarity).

• "How do you prioritize competing research requests from different stakeholders? Walk me through your framework for determining research impact and urgency." (Highlight your strategic prioritization skills and understanding of business needs).

• "Imagine we're considering a new AI feature for automating expense reconciliation. How would you approach researching the potential needs and usability of this feature?" (Prepare a high-level research plan, including methods and key questions relevant to Wrapbook's domain). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Wrapbook's mission and the production finance industry?" (Research Wrapbook's website, recent news, and understand the pain points in production finance).

• "How have you used AI to enhance your research process in the past? What are your thoughts on the ethical considerations of using AI in user research?" (Be ready to discuss specific tools, benefits, and your approach to responsible AI use).

• "Describe your ideal collaboration style with Product Managers, Designers, and Engineers. How do you ensure your research insights are understood and acted upon?" (Emphasize partnership, clear communication, and a focus on actionable outcomes). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Choose Impactful Projects: Select 1-2 case studies that best demonstrate your ability to lead research from strategy to impact, ideally in a complex B2B or SaaS context.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methodology (and rationale), key findings, your synthesized insights, the recommendations you made, and the resulting business/user impact. Quantify impact whenever possible.

• Highlight Synthesis: Explicitly show how you connected different data points (qualitative, quantitative, analytics) to form your insights.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, decision-making, challenges faced, and how you measured success.

• Demonstrate AI Fluency: If applicable, integrate how AI tools assisted in your process or how you would leverage them in future projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, advanced methodological skills, cross-functional influence, and a clear understanding of Wrapbook's business context and AI-driven approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest research case studies that highlight end-to-end ownership, mixed-method expertise, strategic impact, and your ability to synthesize complex data. Ensure these examples showcase your experience in influencing product decisions.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize keywords such as "User Research," "Product Research," "Mixed-Method Research," "Qualitative/Quantitative Research," "Research Strategy," "Data Synthesis," "Stakeholder Management," and any experience with AI in research. Quantify your achievements with metrics wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your chosen portfolio case studies concisely and compellingly. Be ready to articulate your research process, rationale, insights, and the impact of your work, anticipating questions about your methodology and decision-making.

• Research Wrapbook: Familiarize yourself with Wrapbook's AI platform, its target market (production finance), and its company values. Understand the challenges within this industry and how user research can address 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.