Senior User Researcher, Product & Market Insights

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior User Researcher, Product & Market Insights

Company: South China Morning Post

Location: Saint Pierre and Miquelon, France (Causeway Bay office)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product & Market Insights / User Research

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end product research, encompassing discovery, concept validation, and post-launch analysis to drive product strategy and subscription growth.

• Partner with Product Managers to translate user needs and market dynamics into actionable insights that inform product roadmaps and strategic trade-offs.

• Conduct generative and evaluative research, employing a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover unmet user needs, motivations, and key subscription drivers.

• Design and execute comprehensive market research studies to understand audience segments, competitive positioning, brand perceptions, and value propositions.

• Collaborate closely with Data Scientists to triangulate behavioral data with qualitative and quantitative market insights, creating a holistic understanding of the user base.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the Data Science & Insights team, highlighting a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making. The "Product & Market Insights" title indicates a dual focus on understanding both the user experience and the broader competitive landscape, crucial for informing subscription growth strategies in a content-driven digital media environment. The requirement to "influence product strategy and business decisions, not just design execution" underscores the strategic impact expected from this position.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the entire product research lifecycle, from initial discovery and ideation through concept validation, user testing, and post-launch performance evaluation.

• Act as a key research partner to Product Managers, providing evidence-based recommendations to shape product roadmaps, prioritize features, and navigate strategic trade-offs.

• Initiate and conduct generative research to uncover latent user needs, underlying motivations, and critical drivers of subscription conversion and retention.

• Develop and implement robust market research strategies to map audience segments, analyze competitive landscapes, gauge brand perception, and articulate compelling value propositions.

• Execute a range of quantitative studies, including data analysis, survey design, segmentation analysis, and pricing/value perception research, complementing qualitative findings.

• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights, effectively communicating recommendations to Product, Audience, Marketing, Editorial, and Leadership teams.

• Foster strong collaborations with Data Scientists to integrate qualitative and quantitative market insights with existing behavioral data for a comprehensive view.

• Support experimentation initiatives by validating product concepts pre-development and assessing the impact of launched features through robust research.

• Establish and maintain shared research frameworks, such as needs frameworks, user segments, and Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) models, to ensure consistent application across teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive and strategic role in shaping product direction, rather than just executing research tasks. The mention of "subscription growth" and "content-driven products" points towards a focus on user acquisition, retention, and monetization within a media context. The need to build "shared research frameworks" suggests a role in establishing best practices and a standardized approach to user and market understanding within the organization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Comprehensive expertise in product research methodologies, including but not limited to A/B testing, heuristic evaluation, usability testing, in-depth interviews, card sorting, and survey design.

• Strong foundational knowledge of market research principles, including sampling techniques, robust survey design, market segmentation, brand perception analysis, and value proposition research.

• Demonstrated ability to influence product strategy and business decisions beyond mere design recommendations, translating research into tangible business outcomes.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex findings and strategic recommendations clearly and persuasively to senior executives and cross-functional stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience conducting research within subscription-based digital media platforms or for content-driven products.

• Familiarity with data analysis tools and techniques for quantitative research.

• Experience with Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) frameworks and their application in product development.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with Data Scientists to triangulate qualitative and quantitative insights with behavioral data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "at least 5 years of experience" coupled with the "Senior" title suggests that candidates should be able to demonstrate leadership in research projects and a strategic impact on product development. The emphasis on influencing business decisions and communicating with senior stakeholders implies a need for strong strategic thinking and executive presence. Experience with subscription models is a significant plus, indicating a focus on recurring revenue streams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of research projects, clearly demonstrating end-to-end execution from problem definition to actionable insights and impact.

• Present case studies that highlight your ability to conduct both qualitative (e.g., interviews, usability tests) and quantitative (e.g., surveys, A/B tests) research.

• Include examples of how your research directly informed product strategy, influenced roadmaps, or led to measurable improvements in user experience or business metrics.

• Demonstrate proficiency in translating complex research findings into clear, compelling narratives and decision-ready recommendations for diverse audiences.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of structured research planning, including defining research objectives, selecting appropriate methodologies, and outlining participant recruitment strategies.

• Documentation of research synthesis and insight generation processes, detailing how raw data was transformed into actionable recommendations.

• Examples of how research findings were communicated and socialized across product, design, engineering, and marketing teams to drive alignment and action.

• Demonstrations of how research supported iterative product development cycles, including concept validation and post-launch evaluation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior User Researcher role, the portfolio should not just showcase completed projects but also the strategic thinking behind them. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their research process, the rationale for their methodological choices, and the measurable impact of their work on product strategy and business outcomes. The ability to document and evangelize research processes is also key for a senior role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Given the location (Saint Pierre and Miquelon, France) and the Senior User Researcher title with 5+ years of experience, a competitive salary range would typically fall between €60,000 - €90,000 annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for specialized research roles in similar markets, adjusted for cost of living and the specific demands of a senior position within a media organization. Factors such as specific responsibilities, candidate experience, and negotiation will influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.

• Retirement savings plan options.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and workshops.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, likely around 40 hours, with flexibility for project-driven needs.

• The role is based on-site at the Causeway Bay office, indicating a requirement for consistent in-office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for Saint Pierre and Miquelon is challenging due to limited market data. The provided range is a broad estimate based on general European research roles and adjusted for a potentially higher cost of living in an island territory. The "Causeway Bay office" location, despite the derived location of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, suggests a potential discrepancy or a need for clarification. Assuming the role is for the South China Morning Post's operations, the primary work location is likely Hong Kong. If the role is truly in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the salary and benefits would need to be significantly re-evaluated based on local economic conditions. For this enhancement, I will proceed assuming the primary work location is Hong Kong, as implied by the company and office location. A more accurate salary range for Hong Kong for this role would be HK$600,000 - HK$1,000,000 annually. The benefits listed are standard for a large media organization.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Media & Publishing (News & Information)

Company Size: Large (typically 500+ employees for established media organizations like SCMP)

Founded: 1903

Team Structure:

• The Data Science & Insights team is a cross-functional group comprising Data Scientists, Data Analysts, and User Researchers, fostering a collaborative environment.

• This team operates at the nexus of behavioral data, human insights, and business strategy, reporting into a function that guides strategic decision-making.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is central, leveraging both quantitative behavioral data and qualitative human insights.

• Emphasis on translating complex signals into clear, actionable direction for business strategy and prioritization.

• A culture of evidence-based recommendations, where leaders trust the insights provided to guide focus and strategic initiatives.

Company Website: https://scmp.com/careers

📝 Enhancement Note: SCMP is a well-established Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper with a significant digital presence. Its long history suggests a blend of traditional media values with a forward-looking approach to digital transformation. The Data Science & Insights team's mandate to "turn complex quantitative and qualitative signals into clear direction" indicates a culture that values analytical rigor and strategic impact. The team's role in guiding "what to stop doing" highlights a pragmatic and efficiency-focused approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor

This role is positioned as a Senior User Researcher, indicating a significant level of autonomy and responsibility. It requires not just execution of research but also strategic input, influencing product roadmaps, and potentially mentoring junior researchers. The scope extends beyond user experience to encompass market insights and subscription growth, positioning the individual as a key strategic advisor.

Reporting Structure:

The role reports into the Data Science & Insights function, working closely with Product and Audience teams. This structure suggests direct interaction with product leadership and a clear line of sight into business objectives. The collaborative nature implies a matrixed reporting or strong project-based alignment with various departments.

Operations Impact:

The Senior User Researcher is critical in shaping SCMP's product strategy and driving subscription growth by ensuring decisions are grounded in user needs and market realities. Their insights directly influence prioritization, product development focus, and resource allocation, thereby impacting revenue generation and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Opportunity to deepen expertise in subscription-driven product research or market analysis, potentially leading research initiatives or mentoring junior team members.

• Strategic Influence: Grow influence by consistently delivering high-impact insights that shape company-wide product and business strategies.

• Cross-functional Agility: Develop broader business acumen by working across Product, Editorial, Marketing, and Data Science teams, understanding diverse strategic imperatives.

• Industry Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in the digital media and subscription business models, becoming a subject matter expert in a dynamic industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies a need for candidates to demonstrate leadership potential, strategic thinking, and the ability to operate independently. The growth opportunities focus on deepening expertise, increasing strategic influence, and developing a broad understanding of the digital media business, aligning with typical career paths for senior researchers in product-focused organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (On-site presence required at Causeway Bay office)

Office Location(s): Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Workspace Context:

• The role is based on-site at the Causeway Bay office, suggesting a traditional office environment conducive to collaboration.

• Proximity to Product, Editorial, and Marketing teams within the same office facilitates seamless cross-functional communication and spontaneous ideation.

• Access to necessary research tools, data analytics platforms, and collaboration software will be provided to support research activities.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with potential for flexibility based on project timelines and research needs.

• The on-site requirement suggests a structured work schedule within the office premises.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of the "Causeway Bay office" strongly suggests the role is based in Hong Kong, contradicting the initial derived location. This is a critical detail for candidates regarding relocation, commute, and local work culture. The hybrid model implies a balance between focused individual work and collaborative team engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, research approach, and strategic thinking, focusing on how you've influenced product decisions. Expect behavioral questions about past projects and challenges.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you present 2-3 key research case studies. Focus on the problem, your methodology, key insights, and the impact of your work on product strategy and business outcomes. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and alternative approaches.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Meet with potential peers (e.g., Data Scientists, Product Managers) to assess collaboration style, communication effectiveness, and technical understanding.

• Final Interview: Likely with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Data Science & Insights, VP of Product) to discuss overall strategic alignment and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Impact Over Activity: Focus on the outcomes and impact of your research, not just the process. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in conversion," "informed a roadmap shift that prioritized X feature").

• Strategic Narrative: Structure your case studies to tell a compelling story: the business problem, your research objectives, your chosen methods and why, key findings, actionable recommendations, and the resulting impact.

• Methodological Justification: Be prepared to explain why you chose specific research methods and how they were best suited to answer the research questions. Discuss any limitations and how you addressed them.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Highlight instances where your research facilitated collaboration and alignment across different teams (Product, Engineering, Marketing, etc.).

• Data Triangulation: If applicable, show how you integrated qualitative insights with quantitative data or behavioral analytics.

Challenge Preparation:

• Hypothetical Scenario: Be ready for a hypothetical product or market research challenge. This might involve defining a research plan for a new feature, analyzing a competitive threat, or understanding a user segment.

• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate your ability to think strategically about the business context, user needs, and market dynamics.

• Concise Communication: Practice articulating your thoughts and plans clearly and concisely, as you might have limited time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component for this role. Candidates should prepare to deeply articulate the strategic value and business impact of their research. Emphasis should be placed on how their insights drove concrete product decisions and business outcomes, demonstrating their ability to act as a strategic partner, not just a researcher.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for managing usability testing, surveys, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• Qualitative Data Analysis Tools: Software for organizing and analyzing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, Miro for affinity mapping).

• Quantitative Data Analysis Tools: Proficiency in statistical software or libraries for survey analysis (e.g., SPSS, R, Python libraries like Pandas/NumPy).

• Collaboration Tools: Platforms for team communication and project management (e.g., Slack, Jira, Asana, Confluence).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Familiarity with platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for understanding user behavior on digital platforms.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Experience with BI tools for data visualization and reporting (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) to integrate research findings with behavioral data.

• A/B Testing Tools: Experience with experimentation platforms (e.g., Optimizely, VWO) for validating hypotheses and measuring impact.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Understanding of how user data is managed within CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) to inform research and segmentation.

• Data Warehousing/Databases: Basic understanding of data structures and querying (e.g., SQL) for accessing relevant behavioral data.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the responsibilities indicate a need for a broad toolkit covering qualitative, quantitative, and market research. Proficiency in data analysis, survey platforms, and collaboration tools is essential. Experience with web analytics and BI tools is crucial for integrating research findings with behavioral data. A foundational understanding of SQL and CRM systems would be beneficial for data triangulation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven: A strong commitment to using both quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions and measure impact.

• User-Centricity: A deep understanding and advocacy for user needs, ensuring products and strategies are built around real human requirements.

• Strategic Impact: Focus on delivering insights that directly influence business strategy, product direction, and prioritization.

• Collaboration: A proactive approach to working with cross-functional teams, fostering shared understanding and alignment.

• Clarity & Actionability: Translating complex information into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations that drive progress.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Works closely with Product Managers, Data Scientists, and other stakeholders as a strategic partner.

• Evidence-Based Advocacy: Presents research findings with confidence and conviction, using data to support recommendations.

• Open Communication: Encourages open dialogue, feedback, and constructive debate to refine insights and strategies.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively shares learnings and research frameworks to build organizational knowledge and capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture emphasizes a blend of analytical rigor, user empathy, and strategic business acumen. The values suggest an environment where research is highly valued and directly contributes to business success, requiring researchers to be both analytical and influential communicators.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Qualitative & Quantitative: Effectively integrating diverse research methods and data types (behavioral, attitudinal, market) to form a cohesive understanding.

• Influencing in a Fast-Paced Environment: Driving product decisions with research insights amidst competing priorities and tight deadlines common in digital media.

• Translating Insights into Action: Ensuring that research findings are not just presented but are understood, adopted, and acted upon by stakeholders.

• Defining "Success" in Subscription Models: Researching and understanding the complex drivers of user acquisition, engagement, and retention in a subscription-based content landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative research techniques relevant to digital products and subscription models.

• Subscription Business Strategy: Deep dive into the intricacies of subscription revenue models, pricing strategies, and customer lifecycle management through practical application.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop skills in stakeholder management, strategic communication, and influencing beyond direct reports, enhancing leadership capabilities.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of evolving trends in digital media, user behavior, and market dynamics through industry publications, conferences, and internal collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability, strong communication, and a strategic mindset. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing specialized expertise in subscription models and leadership in research, aligning with the senior nature of the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time your research significantly shifted a product roadmap or business strategy. What was the process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on strategic impact and influence).

• "How would you approach understanding the key drivers of subscription churn for SCMP? What research methods would you prioritize and why?" (Demonstrates strategic research design and understanding of subscription models).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about SCMP's current product offerings and target audience?" (Shows research preparedness and interest).

• "How do you ensure your research findings are understood and acted upon by non-research stakeholders?" (Assesses communication and influence skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the business problem or opportunity your research addressed.

• Methodology Justification: Explain your choice of methods and how they were tailored to answer the key questions.

• Highlight Key Insights: Focus on 2-3 critical "aha!" moments that directly informed decisions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics showing the impact of your recommendations on product performance or business goals.

• Discuss Trade-offs: Be prepared to discuss challenges, limitations, and alternative approaches considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of research methodologies, and the ability to translate insights into tangible business outcomes. Candidates should be ready to articulate their process, justify their choices, and showcase the impact of their work with concrete examples and data.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior User Researcher position:

• Submit your comprehensive application through the provided link on the SCMP careers portal.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight specific experiences and achievements related to product research, market insights, subscription models, and influencing product strategy. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select 2-3 impactful case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end research process, strategic thinking, and measurable business impact. Ensure they cover a range of methodologies and stakeholder interactions.

• Prepare your Presentation: Practice articulating your portfolio case studies clearly and concisely, focusing on the problem, your approach, key insights, and the resulting business outcomes. Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your methodology and impact.

• Research SCMP: Familiarize yourself with SCMP's digital products, target audience, business model, and recent initiatives to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their context.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details, particularly concerning location and compensation, should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions. The discrepancy between the derived location and the mentioned office location requires clarification.