SENIOR UX RESEARCHER & PRODUCT EXPERIENCE, AI-NATIVE INCUBATOR

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher & Product Experience, AI-Native Incubator

Company: BDC

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Experience & User Research Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-21

Experience Level: 8+ Years (Senior)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and own the end-to-end UX research program within an innovative AI-native incubator focused on reimagining banking for Canadian entrepreneurs.

• Drive product strategy and shape digital experiences through a deep understanding of user needs, employing a full spectrum of UX research methodologies.

• Foster a user-centric research culture by coaching and mentoring team members, empowering them to conduct user interviews and integrate research into their daily workflows.

• Operate at two speeds: executing rapid, weekly discovery cycles for agile product development and conducting in-depth foundational research to challenge fundamental assumptions.

• Translate complex user data into clear, actionable recommendations that guide cross-functional teams in co-creating impactful solutions and driving business value.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within BDC's new AI-native incubator, signaling a strategic initiative to innovate rapidly. The Senior UX Researcher will be instrumental in establishing and embedding research practices from the ground up, influencing not just product design but also the operational methodologies of the incubator team. The emphasis on "AI-native" suggests a need for research into novel interaction paradigms and user adoption strategies for AI-driven financial services.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion the vision for digital products and services through a robust user-centric lens, directly influencing strategic decisions and shaping a collaborative roadmap.

• Own and execute the full UX research toolkit, including but not limited to: user interviews, surveys, usability testing, card sorting, A/B testing, focus groups, heat map analysis, user journey mapping, heuristic evaluation, competitive analysis, guerrilla testing, and co-creation workshops.

• Manage research initiatives across rapid, continuous discovery cycles (weekly insights) and extended foundational studies (weeks/months) to address both immediate product needs and long-term strategic questions.

• Synthesize research findings into compelling, actionable recommendations that empower designers and product managers to co-create effective solutions and identify new business opportunities.

• Forge strong, collaborative partnerships across design, product development, and architecture teams to ensure alignment on user needs and a shared product vision.

• Lead and facilitate Design Thinking, brainstorming, and strategic planning workshops to foster innovation and collective problem-solving.

• Cultivate a strong research culture within the incubator team by coaching, mentoring, and equipping colleagues with the skills and confidence to conduct user research, making it an integral part of their daily operations.

• Act as a thought leader by disseminating research knowledge and best practices across the organization, promoting a widespread user-centric mindset.

• Build and maintain relationships with existing BDC research groups (e.g., CX, Market Intelligence, Economics, Voice of the Customer) to facilitate knowledge sharing and identify collaborative opportunities.

• Contribute to the evolution of the Design System by ensuring research insights inform decisions regarding component consistency, effectiveness, and user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on research execution and strategic leadership. The dual-speed research approach (fast discovery vs. foundational) is critical for an incubator environment. The emphasis on "coaching and mentoring" indicates a multiplier effect expectation, where the Senior UX Researcher builds research capacity within the broader team, moving beyond a solo expert role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to behavioral research (e.g., Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, Sociology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science) or equivalent practical experience demonstrating mastery of research principles and methodologies. Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in UX research, with a demonstrable track record of delivering insights that have tangibly improved digital products and services.

• Proven experience in establishing or significantly scaling a UX research program within an organization, not merely executing individual projects.

• Experience working with AI and novel user interaction paradigms is highly desirable.

• Knowledge of the banking or financial services industry is considered a significant asset but not a mandatory requirement. Required Skills:

• Mastery of a broad range of UX research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), including but not limited to: user interviews, surveys, usability testing, card sorting, A/B testing, focus groups, heuristic evaluation, competitive analysis, and user journey mapping.

• Strong capabilities in planning, executing, and synthesizing research across diverse project phases, from rapid discovery to deep foundational studies.

• Exceptional ability to translate complex user data into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for design and product teams.

• Proven experience in coaching, mentoring, and upskilling individuals or teams in user research practices and fostering a user-centric mindset.

• Excellent facilitation skills for Design Thinking, brainstorming, and strategic planning workshops.

• Outstanding communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at various levels.

• Proficiency in creative problem-solving and strategic thinking, with the ability to challenge assumptions and explore new approaches.

• Advanced proficiency in both written and spoken French and English. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-driven products or services and understanding user interactions within these contexts.

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

• Experience contributing to or influencing Design Systems from a research perspective.

• Knowledge of the Canadian banking or financial services landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 8+ years of experience, coupled with the expectation to "stand up a UX research program," signifies a senior-level individual contributor role with significant autonomy and strategic influence. The bilingual requirement is critical given the company's Canadian operations. The explicit mention of AI experience is a key differentiator for this role within an AI-native incubator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 8 years of UX research work, demonstrating end-to-end ownership of research programs and significant impact on digital product development.

• Case studies that clearly articulate research challenges, methodologies employed, key insights derived, and the tangible business or user experience improvements achieved.

• Evidence of research influencing strategic product decisions, roadmap development, or the creation of new product/service visions.

• Examples of how research findings were translated into actionable recommendations for design and development teams.

• Demonstrations of experience in coaching or mentoring others in research practices, or initiatives to build research capacity within a team.

• Documentation of experience with both rapid, iterative research cycles and in-depth foundational research projects. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how research plans were developed, including participant recruitment strategies, methodology selection rationale, and stakeholder alignment processes.

• Artifacts showcasing the synthesis of research data, such as user journey maps, personas, affinity diagrams, or insight summaries.

• Case studies detailing the application of research findings to inform design iterations, feature prioritization, or strategic pivots.

• Documentation of how research insights were communicated and socialized within cross-functional teams and to leadership.

• Evidence of contributions to or utilization of design systems based on research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should strongly emphasize the candidate's ability to not only conduct research but also to build and scale research capabilities and influence strategic direction. Given the incubator context, showcasing adaptability and speed in research execution will be crucial. Examples of research informing AI product development or novel interaction paradigms would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $130,000 - $170,000 CAD per year.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Researchers in major Canadian tech hubs like Montreal, considering the required 8+ years of experience, the specialized nature of AI/incubator work, and BDC's positioning as a significant financial institution. It accounts for the hybrid work model and the company's stated commitment to competitive compensation. Regional cost of living and demand for UX research talent in Montreal were also factored in.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness:

  • Flexible and competitive benefits package.
  • $750 annual wellness and health care spending account.
  • Sick days as necessary, providing flexibility for personal health needs.

• Financial Security & Growth:

  • Employee Savings and Investment Plan with BDC matching contributions.
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan, offering long-term retirement security.

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Generous paid vacation time each year.
  • Five dedicated personal days.
  • Office closure from December 25 to January 1, providing extended holiday leave.
  • Hybrid work model, offering a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

• Professional Development:

  • Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and professional development. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid model allows for flexibility in managing work schedules, balancing project demands with personal needs, while ensuring consistent contribution to team objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: BDC offers a robust benefits package, notably including a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, which is a significant differentiator. The inclusion of a wellness spending account and extended holiday closure further emphasizes a commitment to employee well-being. The salary range is an estimate and candidates should expect compensation to be competitive within the Montreal market for senior-level UX research roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking & Business Development)

Company Size: Over 1,000 employees (BDC is a large, established Crown corporation). The AI-Native Incubator team itself will be small and agile, operating with the speed and autonomy of a startup within a larger corporate structure.

Founded: 1944. BDC has a long history of supporting Canadian entrepreneurs, evolving its services to meet changing economic landscapes. This background provides a strong foundation of stability and mission-driven purpose.

Team Structure:

• The AI-Native Incubator team is envisioned as a small, multidisciplinary group of "AI-native builders" working on a "blank canvas." This implies a flat hierarchy, high degree of collaboration, and a startup-like environment.

• The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a lead within the incubator (e.g., Head of Product, Director of Innovation) and work closely with AI engineers, product managers, designers, and potentially business strategists.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central to the incubator's modus operandi, requiring constant interaction and shared ownership of outcomes. Methodology:

• The incubator operates at "unusual speed," challenging existing assumptions and focusing on practical, outcome-driven results. This suggests an agile, iterative approach to development and research.

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with research insights directly informing strategy and execution.

• Experimentation and rapid learning are core tenets, encouraging a culture of testing hypotheses and adapting quickly based on user feedback and market signals.

Company Website: https://www.bdc.ca/

📝 Enhancement Note: BDC's established presence as a Crown corporation provides stability, while the AI-Native Incubator signifies a forward-looking, innovative arm. The culture within the incubator is likely to be a blend of startup agility and corporate rigor, demanding adaptability and a strong sense of purpose. The emphasis on "reimagining how BDC works" suggests a mandate for disruptive thinking.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor with potential for team leadership. This role is positioned as a senior expert responsible for establishing and leading UX research practices within a new, high-priority initiative. It offers the opportunity to shape not only product outcomes but also the operational research framework of the incubator.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will report to a leader within the AI-Native Incubator, likely a Director or Head of Product/Innovation. While not directly managing a team initially, the role carries significant responsibility for mentoring and upskilling other team members, acting as a research multiplier.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Researcher's impact will be direct and significant. By ensuring user needs are at the forefront of product development within the incubator, they will directly influence the success and value creation for BDC, its clients, and Canadian businesses. Their work will shape innovative solutions that redefine how BDC serves entrepreneurs, contributing to BDC's mission and economic development goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Research Leadership: Potential to grow into a lead or manager role within the incubator or broader BDC innovation teams as research function matures.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-UX, innovative financial services, and product strategy within a rapidly evolving domain.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Develop strong strategic partnerships across product, engineering, and business units, enhancing influence and strategic impact.

• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities through challenging projects, potential for training, and exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies and research methodologies.

• Organizational Impact: Contribute to BDC's strategic transformation and innovation efforts, gaining visibility and recognition for driving significant change.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to build a research practice from scratch in a high-impact, strategic initiative. The growth potential lies in becoming a key architect of BDC's future digital offerings and innovation processes, moving beyond execution to strategic influence and potential team leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates a hybrid work model. This suggests a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work. The incubator team will likely have dedicated space for focused work and team collaboration, fostering an environment conducive to rapid iteration and idea generation.

Office Location(s): Primarily based in Montreal, Quebec. BDC has offices across Canada, but the incubator's core team is likely to be co-located in Montreal to facilitate intensive collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The incubator's small, multidisciplinary team structure fosters a highly collaborative and interactive workspace, encouraging brainstorming and co-creation.

• Tools & Technology: Access to modern design and research tools will be available, supporting both rapid prototyping and in-depth analysis. Given the "AI-native" focus, expect exposure to emerging technologies and platforms.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with a diverse group of innovators, engineers, designers, and product leaders, promoting cross-pollination of ideas and a shared sense of purpose.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, with the flexibility inherent in a hybrid model. The fast-paced nature of the incubator may require adaptability and focus during key project phases, but the overall environment aims to balance work with personal life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, offering flexibility. The incubator environment suggests a dynamic, hands-on workspace where collaboration is key. Candidates should be comfortable with a blend of structured work and the creative, sometimes unpredictable, nature of innovation projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly the 8+ years of UX research experience and bilingualism.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, research philosophy, experience with AI, and how you approach building research programs and coaching others. Expect questions about your understanding of user-centricity and strategic impact.

• Skills-Based Interview/Workshop: This may involve a practical exercise or case study presentation focusing on your research methodology, problem-solving skills, and ability to translate complex data into actionable insights. You might be asked to walk through a portfolio case study in detail.

• Cross-Functional Team Interview: An opportunity to meet potential colleagues (designers, product managers, engineers) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and your ability to integrate research into a multidisciplinary team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership or the head of the incubator to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall fit for the organization's innovation goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact & Strategy: Beyond showcasing methodologies, emphasize the strategic impact of your research. Quantify outcomes where possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in user task completion," "informed a product pivot that reduced churn by X%").

• Demonstrate Program Building: Provide examples of how you've established or scaled research practices, mentored others, or fostered research culture. This is critical for this senior role.

• Showcase AI/Novelty Experience: If you have experience researching AI-driven products or novel interaction paradigms, make these case studies prominent.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, with clear case studies that detail the problem, your approach, key findings, and the resulting impact. Use visuals effectively.

• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to discuss your process, rationale behind methodological choices, and how you navigated challenges in your case studies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Research Scenarios: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios related to researching new AI financial products, understanding user adoption of innovative services, or improving existing digital banking experiences.

• Articulate Your "Why": Clearly explain your research approach and why specific methodologies are chosen for different problems, especially in an AI context.

• Practice "Two-Speed" Research: Be ready to discuss how you would balance rapid, iterative research with deeper, foundational studies within the incubator's timeline.

• Coaching Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you would mentor a non-researcher to conduct user interviews or gather feedback effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only research expertise but also leadership potential, strategic thinking, and adaptability within an innovative, fast-paced environment. The portfolio review will be a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate tangible impact and program-building capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Tools for conducting interviews, surveys, usability testing, and gathering feedback (e.g., UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Software for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and potentially quantitative analysis tools (e.g., Excel, R, SPSS, Tableau for basic analysis).

• Prototyping & Design Collaboration: Familiarity with tools used by designers for prototyping and collaboration (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD) to effectively review and provide feedback on designs.

• AI/ML Platforms (Familiarity): While not expected to be an expert, understanding the landscape of AI/ML platforms and tools used for product development will be beneficial for researching AI-native products.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Understanding how to interpret data from tools like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics to inform research questions and validate findings.

• Business Intelligence Tools: Familiarity with BI platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for understanding broader business metrics and KPIs that research can impact.

• Customer Feedback Platforms: Experience with tools that aggregate customer feedback from various channels.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): Understanding how customer data within a CRM can inform research hypotheses and how research insights might influence CRM usage or data strategy.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Awareness of how workflow automation impacts user experience and how research can inform the design of automated processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily focused on UX research, proficiency or at least familiarity with a broad range of tools used in product development and data analysis is expected. The emphasis on "AI-native" suggests an openness to exploring and understanding new technologies and platforms within the AI/ML space.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs as the primary driver of product development and strategic decisions.

• Innovation & Experimentation: A willingness to explore new ideas, challenge existing paradigms, and embrace iterative learning through experimentation.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Fostering a team environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone feels empowered to contribute and collaborate effectively.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on rigorous research and data analysis to inform insights, validate hypotheses, and guide actions.

• Agility & Speed: Operating with a sense of urgency to deliver value quickly, adapting to changing needs and market dynamics without sacrificing quality.

Collaboration Style:

• Multidisciplinary Partnership: Working closely with product managers, designers, AI engineers, and business strategists in a highly integrated and collaborative manner.

• Open Communication & Feedback: Encouraging transparent communication, active listening, and constructive feedback loops to continuously improve products and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing research findings, methodologies, and insights to build collective understanding and expertise across the team and organization.

• Empowerment & Ownership: Cultivating a culture where individuals take ownership of their work, are empowered to make decisions, and contribute to shared goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style within the incubator are expected to be highly dynamic, reflecting a startup mentality focused on rapid innovation and impact. The emphasis on "AI-native" suggests a culture that embraces technological advancement and novel approaches.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Research Practice: Building and embedding a robust UX research practice from the ground up within a new incubator environment.

• Rapid Iteration vs. Foundational Research: Balancing the need for quick insights to support agile development with the requirement for deeper, strategic research to inform long-term vision.

• AI-UX Complexity: Researching user interactions with novel AI-driven financial products and services, which may involve new user behaviors and mental models.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and application of user insights across diverse disciplines (AI engineering, product, business) within the incubator.

• Organizational Change: Influencing a large, established organization like BDC to adopt new ways of working and prioritize user-centricity driven by the incubator's successes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into AI: Gaining hands-on experience and expertise in researching cutting-edge AI applications within the financial services sector.

• Strategic Impact: Playing a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of BDC's digital offerings and innovation strategy.

• Building a Practice: Developing leadership and program management skills by establishing and scaling UX research capabilities.

• Industry Exposure: Access to industry conferences, training, and networking opportunities relevant to AI, fintech, and UX research.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to be mentored by senior leaders within BDC and to mentor junior team members, fostering personal and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges in establishing new processes and navigating complex technology, but these are directly tied to substantial growth opportunities in leadership, specialized expertise, and strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to defining a UX research strategy for a new AI-native product incubator. How would you balance foundational research with rapid discovery?"

• "How would you foster a user-centric research culture within a multidisciplinary team where not everyone has a research background? Provide examples of coaching or mentoring you've done."

• "Walk us through a time you had to translate complex user data into actionable recommendations that significantly influenced product strategy or design. What was the outcome?"

• "How do you approach researching novel AI interactions or user behaviors that don't have existing precedents? What methodologies would you employ?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about BDC's mission to support Canadian entrepreneurs, and how does that align with your passion for user experience?"

• "How would you contribute to BDC's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within your research practices and team interactions?"

• "Given BDC's history and the incubator's mandate, how would you balance innovation with the need for stability and trust in financial services?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on the "Why" and "So What": For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach to research, the key insights, and the tangible impact. Don't just list activities.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research recommendations (e.g., improvements in conversion rates, task completion, user satisfaction).

• Showcase Program Building: Dedicate a section or specific examples to illustrate your experience in establishing research processes, mentoring others, or driving research adoption.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect to be asked detailed questions about your methodological choices, participant recruitment, data synthesis, and how you navigated challenges.

• Tailor to AI: If possible, highlight any experience or thought processes related to researching AI or emerging technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership in establishing research practices, comfort with ambiguity and innovation, and specific experience relevant to AI and fast-paced environments. The bilingual requirement will also be assessed throughout the process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

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

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your most impactful UX research projects. Prioritize those demonstrating end-to-end ownership, strategic influence, program building, and ideally, experience with novel technologies or complex problem-solving. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your research approach, key insights, and measurable outcomes.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 8+ years of UX research experience, bilingual proficiency (French/English), experience with AI or novel interactions, and any instances of establishing research practices or mentoring others. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your research philosophy, your approach to building research culture, and how you handle the "two-speed" research requirement. Prepare to discuss specific examples from your portfolio in detail.

• Research BDC & the Incubator: Understand BDC's mission, its role in supporting Canadian entrepreneurs, and the strategic importance of the AI-Native Incubator. Familiarize yourself with BDC's culture and values.

⚠️ 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.