Senior UX Researcher, 6-month contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher, 6-month contract

Company: GoTo

Location: Remote (Hungary)

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Product Design / UX Research

Date Posted: 2026-05-29

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end UX research initiatives for the Grasshopper product development team, with a focus on validating AI-driven experiences and strategic product evolution.

• Drive the creation and execution of comprehensive research plans, delivering key user insights to inform product strategy and design decisions.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering, and UX Design partners to understand user needs, behaviors, and workflows.

• Enhance research participant recruiting processes in partnership with Customer Success, Product Marketing, and Lifecycle Marketing.

• Champion user-centricity and research best practices across the organization, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on UX research within a product development context, emphasizing the integration of AI technologies and B2B customer understanding. The "Senior" title implies a need for independent work, strategic input, and potentially mentoring junior researchers. The 6-month contract nature suggests a project-driven focus with a need for rapid impact.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic research plans to uncover user needs, behaviors, and opportunities, with a particular emphasis on early-stage conceptual ideas and AI-generated prototypes.

• Conduct a variety of qualitative research methods, including user interviews, Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) analysis, persona development, and usability testing.

• Facilitate workshops and present research findings and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders, including Product, Engineering, and Design leadership.

• Analyze the competitive landscape to identify areas for innovation and differentiation within the B2B software market.

• Contribute to the development of a robust research roadmap that balances tactical user feedback with strategic product direction.

• Manage and refine processes for research participant recruitment, ensuring access to diverse and relevant user segments.

• Deepen understanding of GoTo's Grasshopper product, its users, and their use cases to inform research direction and product functionality.

• Collaborate with UX Designers to iterate on user flows and interface designs based on research insights and usability feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution, common for senior UX researchers. The emphasis on AI validation and B2B settings is critical. The requirement to "curate that knowledge" suggests a need for ongoing research and documentation management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in leading UX research roles within lean, agile, and delivery-driven environments.

• Proven track record of creating research plans and delivering impactful insights.

• Experience conducting research in B2B settings, understanding the needs of administrators, vendors, and managed service providers.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in qualitative research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing, and persona development.

• Proficiency in identifying Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) and understanding user mental models.

• Strong ability to plan, conduct, and synthesize research studies independently.

• Excellent workshop facilitation and stakeholder presentation skills.

• Robust problem-solving capabilities coupled with strong self-governance and initiative.

• Advanced English communication skills (written and verbal) for effective collaboration and research with a US-based customer base.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-driven product development and validation of AI-generated experiences.

• Knowledge of React Native development or UI transformations.

• Experience conducting competitive analysis to inform product strategy.

• Familiarity with survey design and quantitative research methods to complement qualitative findings.

• Understanding of customer success and product marketing functions to enhance recruiting efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "5+ years" and the emphasis on leading research and strategic input align with a Senior-level UX Researcher. The preferred skills point towards the specific context of GoTo's current product development initiatives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 distinct UX research projects, demonstrating end-to-end research process from planning to insight delivery.

• Highlight projects that involved strategic planning, user needs identification, and validation of product concepts or features.

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

• Present case studies that clearly articulate the research questions, methodologies used, key findings, and actionable recommendations.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, clearly outline the research plan, including objectives, target audience, timeline, and chosen methodologies.

• Document the methods used for data collection, synthesis, and analysis, emphasizing qualitative approaches.

• Provide examples of how research findings were communicated to stakeholders (e.g., readouts, workshop summaries, presentation decks).

• Showcase how research insights were translated into concrete design or product strategy recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, especially a contract position, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to demonstrate not just the ability to conduct research, but also the strategic thinking and impact expected from a senior individual contributor. The focus should be on demonstrating problem-solving and influence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health benefits (subject to local Hungarian regulations and contract terms).

• Generous paid time off, including paid holidays, volunteer days, quarterly self-care days, and company-designated no-meeting days (prorated for contract duration).

• Tuition reimbursement and access to learning and development programs (availability may vary for contract roles).

• Access to the Thrive Global Wellness Program, including a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness app, and one-on-one wellness coaching.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time engagement, typically 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility may be offered, with the understanding that research activities might require scheduling around participant availability.

• Adherence to Central European Time (CET) or equivalent for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on the Senior UX Researcher title, a contract role, and the specified location. Benefits are listed as provided in the job description, with a note that prorated or adjusted access may apply to contract employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software, SaaS (Software as a Service), Business Communications. GoTo provides essential communication and collaboration tools for small and medium-sized businesses.

Company Size: GoTo is a large organization, employing thousands of people globally. This means opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and exposure to various teams and projects, but also a need for clear communication and process adherence.

Founded: GoTo was formed through mergers and acquisitions, with its roots tracing back to earlier tech companies. This history suggests a dynamic environment with a focus on integrating and evolving product offerings.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will be part of the Grasshopper product development team, working closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineers.

• They will report to the Product & UX Director, indicating a clear reporting line and access to leadership.

• Collaboration extends to Customer Success, Product Marketing, and Lifecycle Marketing for recruitment efforts.

Methodology:

• The Product Design team emphasizes user-centered design, leveraging AI to create practical and accessible experiences.

• Agile and lean methodologies are employed, requiring adaptability and rapid iteration.

• A strong focus on delivering tangible value and solving meaningful customer challenges.

• Emphasis on continuous research input to guide product evolution and validate conceptual ideas.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context provides insight into the operational environment. GoTo's focus on SMBs and its history of mergers suggest a need for adaptability and a solid understanding of user needs in a competitive market. The mention of AI and UI transformation indicates a forward-looking approach.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Individual Contributor role within the Product Design function, specifically focused on UX Research. It requires a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead research initiatives without direct supervision. The "Senior" designation implies a capacity to mentor or guide less experienced team members.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will report directly to the Product & UX Director. This provides a direct line of communication with leadership, enabling strategic alignment and visibility for research contributions. The role will also involve close, day-to-day collaboration with Product Managers, UX Designers, and Engineers within the Grasshopper product team.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work directly impacts product strategy and development by ensuring that user needs and pain points are understood and addressed. By validating early concepts and AI-driven prototypes, this role helps mitigate product development risks, improve user adoption, and ultimately contribute to customer satisfaction and retention. The insights generated will inform critical decisions regarding UI transformation, AI capability expansion, and partner integrations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in AI-driven product research, B2B SaaS user needs, and complex UI transformations.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Gain experience in influencing product direction through strong research advocacy and cross-functional collaboration.

• Contract to Permanent: Successful performance in this 6-month contract could potentially lead to opportunities for permanent roles within GoTo's Product Design or Research teams, depending on business needs and performance.

• Mentorship: As a senior researcher, there's an opportunity to informally mentor junior researchers or designers involved in research activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis focuses on the senior individual contributor aspect and the direct impact on product strategy. The growth opportunities are framed within the context of a contract role, including the potential for conversion.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is fully remote within Hungary. While there might be an option to work from a GoTo office if available and suitable, the primary mode of work is remote.

Office Location(s): The role is based remotely in Hungary. While GoTo has global offices, this specific position is designated for remote work within Hungary.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to utilize various digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, video conferencing) for daily communication and teamwork.

• Digital Tooling: Access to GoTo's standard suite of design and research tools will be provided, likely including platforms for user interviews, usability testing, prototyping, and data analysis.

• Team Interaction: Regular virtual meetings with the Grasshopper product team, including stand-ups, sprint reviews, and dedicated research syncs. Opportunities to connect with the broader international UX team.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week).

• Flexibility in scheduling is likely, but coordination with team members across different time zones and participant availability for research sessions will be key.

• The contract duration is 6 months, with a clear defined project scope.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature and the specific location (Hungary) are highlighted. The workspace context emphasizes digital collaboration tools and the need for effective remote teamwork.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Expect a dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through 1-2 key research projects. Be prepared to discuss your process, challenges, and the impact of your work.

• Skills-Based Interview: A deeper dive into your UX research methodologies, problem-solving abilities, and experience with specific techniques (e.g., AI validation, B2B research). This may involve scenario-based questions or a small take-home exercise.

• Cross-functional Team Interview: You may meet with potential collaborators (Product Managers, UX Designers, Engineers) to assess teamwork and communication style.

• Final Interview: Potentially with the Product & UX Director or a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities, strategic thinking, and impact, especially those involving complex problems or AI.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the methods used, key insights, and the tangible outcomes or recommendations. Quantify impact where possible.

• Focus on Process & Rationale: Explain why you chose specific research methods and how your process led to the insights.

• Highlight B2B & AI Experience: If available, feature projects that demonstrate your understanding of B2B user needs and/or experience validating AI-driven features.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, challenges faced, and how you handled conflicting feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you would approach a specific research challenge related to AI product validation or a UI transformation scenario.

• Practice articulating your thought process for designing a research plan under time constraints.

• Prepare examples of how you have collaborated effectively with product and engineering teams to translate research findings into actionable product improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a Senior UX Researcher role, emphasizing portfolio presentation and strategic thinking in the interview process. The focus on AI and B2B is reiterated.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Interview Platforms: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Dovetail, or similar for conducting remote moderated and unmoderated usability studies and interviews.

• Prototyping & Wireframing Tools: Familiarity with tools used by designers such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD is beneficial for understanding prototypes and providing feedback.

• Collaboration Suites: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace for communication and team collaboration.

• Project Management: Jira, Asana, or similar for tracking research tasks and project timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Synthesis Tools: Dovetail, Miro, Mural for organizing and synthesizing qualitative data.

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote for creating and delivering research readouts.

• Basic Analytics Understanding: Familiarity with product analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel) can be helpful for understanding user behavior data and complementing qualitative findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user feedback is captured and managed within a CRM or product feedback platform (e.g., UserVoice, Canny) is advantageous.

• Awareness of how research insights can inform marketing automation or customer lifecycle strategies is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for UX researchers. The emphasis is on platforms for conducting research, synthesizing data, and communicating findings. Familiarity with design tools is also noted.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Obsessed: A core value at GoTo, emphasizing the importance of deeply understanding and serving customer needs through research.

• Think Big: Encourages innovative thinking and exploring new possibilities, particularly relevant with the AI transformation initiative.

• Move Fast: Reflects an agile environment where efficient research and quick insights are valued to keep product development moving.

• Keep Growing: Promotes continuous learning and development, essential for staying current with UX research techniques and AI advancements.

• Be Real: Fosters authenticity and transparency, important for building trust within research relationships and with stakeholders.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on working collaboratively with Product, Engineering, and Design to ensure research is integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Research findings are expected to be used as a foundation for strategic and tactical decisions.

• Open Communication: A culture that values sharing insights, feedback, and perspectives openly and constructively.

• User Advocacy: The UX Researcher acts as a key advocate for the user, ensuring their voice is heard throughout the product development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values are directly drawn from GoTo's stated company principles and are interpreted through the lens of a UX research role. The collaboration style emphasizes integration and data-driven approaches.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• AI Validation Complexity: Effectively researching and validating novel AI-driven experiences where user behaviors and expectations are still forming presents a unique challenge.

• B2B User Segmentation: Understanding and recruiting diverse B2B user roles (admins, end-users, IT managers) with distinct needs and workflows requires careful planning.

• Balancing Strategic & Tactical Research: Juggling long-term strategic initiatives with immediate tactical needs for product iteration requires strong prioritization and time management.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong connections and effective communication within a remote, international team requires proactive effort.

• Contract Duration: Delivering significant impact within a 6-month contract requires a highly focused and efficient approach from day one.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in UX Research: Gaining hands-on experience researching emerging AI capabilities and their user implications.

• Large-Scale SaaS Products: Developing a deeper understanding of user needs and product strategies for large, established SaaS platforms.

• Cross-functional Influence: Honing skills in presenting research to diverse stakeholders and influencing product roadmaps.

• Agile Research Practices: Further developing expertise in conducting research within fast-paced, agile development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the specific context of the role (AI, B2B, contract) and common issues in senior research positions. Growth opportunities focus on skill development relevant to the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to research a completely new technology or product category. What was your approach?" (Focus on your research planning, methodology selection, and how you handled ambiguity.)

• "How would you approach researching the usability and value of an AI-generated feature that has no direct user precedent?" (Highlight your methods for early concept validation, user education, and gathering feedback on novel experiences.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about GoTo's products, particularly the Grasshopper offering?" (Research GoTo's product suite and understand the SMB communication market.)

• "How do you ensure your research aligns with business goals and product strategy, especially in an agile environment?" (Discuss your approach to stakeholder alignment and prioritizing research efforts.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 1-2 High-Impact Projects: Choose projects that best showcase your senior-level skills, strategic contribution, and impact, ideally involving B2B or complex problem-solving.

• Structure Your Narrative: Clearly define the problem, your specific role and approach, the methodologies used, key findings, and the resulting actions or impact. Use a clear, logical flow.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., usability improvement percentages, adoption rates, conversion increases) to demonstrate the value of your research.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, data synthesis process, challenges encountered, and how you collaborated with teams.

• Showcase Your Communication Skills: Present confidently, clearly, and concisely, making eye contact (virtually) and engaging with your audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is tailored to a Senior UX Researcher role, emphasizing strategic thinking, AI research, B2B context, and effective portfolio presentation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of senior UX research experience, specific methodologies used (user interviews, JTBD, usability testing), and experience in agile, B2B, and ideally AI-related projects. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 1-2 strong case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end research process, strategic thinking, and impact. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., PDF, personal website).

• Research GoTo: Familiarize yourself with GoTo's company mission, values, and product offerings, especially the Grasshopper product. Understand their target market (SMBs) and current focus areas (AI, UI transformation).

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on clear storytelling, explaining your rationale, and anticipating questions about your process and impact. Be ready to discuss how you would approach researching AI-driven features.

⚠️ 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.