Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Job Type: Full Time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Development

Date Posted: July 15, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end user experience research initiatives to enhance internal user interfaces and digital solutions for business teams within Zurich.

• Drive evidence-based decision-making by synthesizing qualitative and quantitative user insights, business objectives, and market trends.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX/UI designers, product owners, engineers, and business stakeholders, to champion user-centered design principles.

• Contribute to the design and validation of innovative experiences, with a focus on emerging technologies like conversational AI and intelligent workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within Zurich's Technology Delivery Center (TDC) in Barcelona, highlighting a focus on internal tooling and enterprise-level digital solutions rather than external customer-facing products. The emphasis on "internal users, such as underwriters, claims handlers, and other business teams" indicates a B2E (Business-to-Employee) focus for the UX research.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive UX research plans across multiple projects, encompassing discovery research, user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and concept validation.

• Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations for product, business, and design teams.

• Partner with product owners and business stakeholders to understand user needs, identify pain points, and uncover opportunities for product and process improvements.

• Facilitate workshops, discovery sessions, and alignment activities to foster collaboration and ensure user insights are integrated throughout the product lifecycle.

• Explore and champion new research methodologies, tools, and technologies to continuously improve the team's understanding of user behavior and needs.

• Manage and prioritize research activities across multiple concurrent initiatives, ensuring high standards of quality and impact while adapting to evolving priorities.

• Influence product strategy and decision-making by effectively communicating user insights and their connection to broader business goals and market dynamics.

• Contribute to the validation and iterative improvement of innovative digital solutions, including AI-enabled experiences and automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a senior-level individual contributor role with significant autonomy in planning, executing, and synthesizing research. The focus on "internal users" and "enterprise platforms" suggests a need for understanding complex business processes and stakeholder environments within a large financial institution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX Researcher.

Experience: Significant professional experience (5-10 years) as a UX Researcher, with a proven track record of working on digital products, enterprise platforms, or complex user journeys.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of a wide range of UX research methodologies, including user interviews, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), diary studies, ethnographic research, surveys, card sorting, and heuristic evaluations.

• Proven ability to translate research findings into clear, compelling, and actionable insights and recommendations that drive product and business decisions.

• Strong strategic mindset with the ability to connect user insights with broader business goals, market trends, and operational realities.

• Excellent storytelling, presentation, and communication skills, capable of influencing diverse stakeholders (technical and non-technical).

• Experience navigating complex stakeholder environments and building alignment among teams with competing priorities.

• Proactive, curious, and self-directed approach to identifying research opportunities and driving continuous improvement.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple research projects simultaneously in dynamic environments.

• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to define research questions and objectives independently.

• Experience working with enterprise platforms or complex B2B/B2E digital products. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-enabled experiences, conversational interfaces, intelligent assistants, or automation technologies.

• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles, prototyping tools (e.g., Figma), service design methodologies, or front-end development concepts.

• Experience conducting quantitative research, including survey design and analysis, and integrating qualitative and quantitative data.

• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and working within cross-functional product teams.

• Experience with remote research tools and platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "preferred skills" section is crucial for candidates aiming to excel. Highlighting experience with AI and related advanced technologies aligns with the company's focus on innovation within the Technology Delivery Center. Familiarity with design and front-end concepts can significantly enhance collaboration with design and development teams.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects, demonstrating your end-to-end research process from problem definition to actionable insights.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the research objectives, methodologies used, participant profiles, key findings, and the impact of your recommendations on product development or business outcomes.

• Evidence of your ability to handle ambiguity, define research questions, and adapt methodologies to specific project needs.

• Examples of how you have translated complex user data into clear, compelling narratives and actionable recommendations for diverse stakeholders.

• Documentation of your experience working within cross-functional teams and influencing product decisions. Process Documentation:

• Showcase your systematic approach to planning and executing research, including how you define research objectives, recruit participants, select appropriate methodologies, and manage research timelines.

• Provide examples of how you synthesize research data, identify key themes and patterns, and articulate insights that address business challenges.

• Demonstrate your process for communicating research findings and recommendations to various audiences, including product managers, designers, engineers, and business leaders.

• Illustrate your approach to integrating user feedback and insights throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond simply listing methodologies and instead tell a story of how research drove tangible improvements and strategic decisions. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating leadership in research planning and execution, stakeholder management, and the ability to translate findings into business value for an enterprise context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Researchers in Barcelona, Spain, with 5-10 years of experience, a competitive annual salary range is estimated to be between €50,000 and €70,000. This range accounts for the cost of living in Barcelona, the seniority of the role, and the specialized skills required.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and a yearly bonus.

• Flexible working model, promoting work-life balance.

• Option to work abroad for up to 25 days per year.

• Generous home office setup allowance (€300+) and a monthly home office allowance.

• Extensive internal and external training opportunities, including language classes (English, German, Spanish).

• Ticket Restaurant (meal vouchers) and Health Insurance, with flexibility to exchange for other benefits.

• Life and Accident Insurance coverage.

• Collective Life Retirement Plan.

• Referral bonus (€2000) for successful candidate referrals.

• Special banking and insurance conditions, plus exclusive employee discounts.

• Functional diversity benefits.

• Stock options and mortgage benefits.

Working Hours: Full-time position. While specific daily hours are not stated, the mention of a "flexible working model" suggests some degree of autonomy in structuring the workday, which is common for hybrid roles and senior positions in technology centers. The typical EU standard of 40 hours per week is assumed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from reputable compensation platforms for similar roles in Barcelona. The benefits package is extensive, indicating Zurich's commitment to employee well-being and professional development, which is a strong selling point for experienced professionals. The "flexible working model" and "work abroad" options are particularly attractive.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Insurance and Financial Services, with a strong focus on Technology Delivery. The Zurich Technology Delivery Center (TDC) operates as a hub for technological innovation and support for the global Zurich Insurance Group. This context means the role will involve understanding complex business processes within a regulated industry.

Company Size: Zurich Insurance Group is a large, multinational corporation. The Technology Delivery Center in Barcelona is a significant entity within this structure, likely comprising several hundred employees, fostering a blend of large-company stability and specialized team autonomy.

Founded: Zurich Insurance Group was founded in 1872. The Technology Delivery Center in Barcelona was established in 2006, signifying nearly two decades of operational presence and growth in the region.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team within the TDC is likely composed of several researchers, potentially with varying specializations.

• This role is senior, suggesting it will either lead research initiatives independently or mentor more junior team members.

• Collaboration is expected across various product development teams, including UX/UI design, product management, engineering, architecture, and business units.

• The reporting structure will likely be within a broader Product Development or Technology function, with a direct manager who oversees UX/UI and Research. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core tenet, emphasizing the importance of robust research to inform strategy.

• A collaborative and innovative approach to problem-solving is encouraged, typical of technology delivery centers focused on continuous improvement.

• Agile methodologies are likely integrated into the product development process, requiring researchers to be adaptable and work iteratively.

• There's a stated value for curiosity and continuous learning, suggesting an environment open to exploring new research techniques and technologies.

Company Website: https://www.zurich.com/ (Global) and https://www.careers.zurich.com/ (Careers)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as collaborative and innovative, with a tech-driven mindset. The TDC's role as a support hub for a global insurance giant implies a need for researchers to understand enterprise-level challenges and to work with internal stakeholders who may have diverse technical backgrounds and business needs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Researcher position, indicating a role that requires significant independent contribution, strategic thinking, and potentially mentorship. It sits above a standard UX Researcher and below a Lead or Principal UX Researcher. The scope involves leading research for strategic initiatives and complex digital solutions.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a UX/UI Manager or Head of Product Development within the Technology Delivery Center. They will collaborate extensively with Product Owners, Engineering Leads, and Business Stakeholders from various Zurich business units.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, focusing on improving the efficiency, usability, and effectiveness of digital tools and platforms used by Zurich's internal workforce. By providing deep user insights, the researcher directly influences the development of solutions that enhance productivity, reduce errors, and ultimately contribute to the operational success and strategic goals of the global insurance business. This role is crucial in ensuring that the technology developed internally meets the complex needs of its users.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as AI-driven user experiences, conversational design research, or complex enterprise workflow analysis.

• Leadership: Potential to move into a Lead UX Researcher role, managing a team, or a Principal UX Researcher position, setting research strategy for larger program areas.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Develop a broad understanding of the insurance industry and technology operations, potentially leading to opportunities in product management, service design, or strategic program management.

• Skill Development: Access to extensive training programs, including language courses, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies and research methodologies.

• International Exposure: The "work abroad" option provides opportunities to gain experience with different markets and teams within the Zurich group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a path toward leadership or deep specialization. The focus on internal tools and enterprise solutions means growth could also involve becoming a subject matter expert in specific business domains (e.g., underwriting, claims processing) from a user experience perspective.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, meaning a combination of in-office and remote work. The Barcelona office serves as the primary hub for the Technology Delivery Center.

Office Location(s): Barcelona, specifically in the Poblenou district. This is a well-known tech and innovation hub within Barcelona, likely offering a modern and collaborative workspace.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The TDC is described as collaborative and innovative. The office space likely includes areas designed for team collaboration, workshops, and focused individual work.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard office technology, collaboration tools, and specialized UX research software and hardware. The company's tech-driven mindset suggests a well-equipped environment.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with UX/UI designers, product managers, engineers, and other researchers, facilitating knowledge sharing and co-creation. The hybrid model will require intentional efforts to maintain strong team connections.

Work Schedule: Full-time with a flexible working model. This suggests that while core hours may be expected for team collaboration, there's flexibility in daily start and end times, accommodating personal needs and optimizing productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role implies that candidates should be comfortable with both remote and in-office collaboration. The mention of Poblenou, Barcelona, suggests a vibrant, modern work environment typical of tech hubs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A call with the recruiter, Álvaro Gallego Zazo, to discuss your background, interest in the role, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth conversation with the hiring manager to assess your UX research expertise, strategic thinking, and understanding of enterprise challenges.

• Portfolio Review & Case Study: This is a critical stage. You will likely present a selection of your best work, detailing your research process, insights, and impact. Be prepared to discuss specific projects, your role, challenges faced, and how you influenced outcomes. This may involve a pre-assigned case study or a deep dive into your portfolio examples.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential peers (UX/UI designers, other researchers) and cross-functional stakeholders (Product Owners, Engineers) to evaluate collaboration style, communication skills, and fit within the team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss career aspirations and overall fit within Zurich's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your senior-level capabilities and align with the job description's focus on enterprise solutions and internal users.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the research methods used and why, the insights gained, the recommendations made, and the resulting impact (quantifiable if possible).

• Highlight Impact: Emphasize how your research influenced product decisions, improved user experience, or contributed to business objectives within complex environments.

• Showcase Process: Detail your research planning, synthesis, and communication processes. Demonstrate your ability to handle ambiguity and influence stakeholders.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology choices, how you handled conflicting stakeholder feedback, challenges you overcame, and how you measure the success of your research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research Zurich Insurance Group, its mission, and the role of its Technology Delivery Center. Consider the typical challenges faced by UX researchers in large, established financial institutions.

• Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly and concisely explain your research process, methodologies, and insights. Practice presenting your portfolio work.

• Strategic Thinking: Prepare to discuss how you approach research strategically, connect user needs to business goals, and navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.

• Methodology Depth: Be prepared to discuss the pros and cons of different research methods and justify your choices for specific scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on demonstrating practical application of UX research skills and strategic thinking. A strong portfolio that showcases impact on enterprise-level products and internal users will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Proficiency in tools for conducting remote interviews, usability testing, surveys, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• Collaboration & Prototyping: Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD for understanding design outputs and potentially contributing to prototypes or design validation.

• Data Synthesis & Analysis: Experience with tools for qualitative data analysis (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and potentially quantitative analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python for statistical analysis).

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote for communicating research findings effectively.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary data analyst role, understanding how to interpret user analytics data (e.g., from tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or product-specific analytics platforms) to inform research questions and validate findings is beneficial.

• Experience with dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to understand how insights are visualized and consumed by stakeholders. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or internal business process management tools may be useful for understanding the context of internal users and their workflows.

• Understanding of how automation and AI technologies are integrated into enterprise workflows is a plus, given the role's focus on these areas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description highlights a need for expertise in a broad range of UX research methodologies and tools. While specific tools aren't listed, candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency with industry-standard platforms for user interviews, usability testing, surveys, and qualitative data synthesis. Experience with Figma and an understanding of AI-enabled experiences are particularly noted as advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working together across disciplines (UX, Product, Engineering, Business) to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Encouragement to explore new ideas, technologies, and research approaches to drive continuous improvement.

• Curiosity: A deeply ingrained value of asking "why," seeking to understand user motivations and underlying needs.

• User-Centricity: A commitment to placing the internal user at the heart of all product development decisions.

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: A reliance on data, insights, and research findings to guide strategic choices and product direction.

• Continuous Learning: A culture that supports professional development, skill enhancement, and staying abreast of industry trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers are expected to be embedded within product teams, working closely with designers, product managers, and engineers throughout the product lifecycle.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and sharing of insights across teams.

• Proactive Engagement: Researchers are encouraged to proactively engage with stakeholders, identify research needs, and champion user advocacy.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share learnings and best practices within the UX research community at Zurich, fostering collective growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture appears to be one that values both deep expertise and strong collaborative skills. The emphasis on "internal users" suggests a unique challenge in understanding business-specific contexts and driving adoption of tools that improve employee efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Navigating complex enterprise environments with diverse stakeholder priorities and ensuring user needs are met while aligning with business objectives and technical constraints.

• Researching Internal Users: Gaining deep empathy and understanding for the specific workflows, pain points, and technical proficiencies of internal business users (underwriters, claims handlers, etc.) who may have unique requirements.

• Driving Change: Influencing established processes and product roadmaps with research insights, particularly within a large, traditional organization like an insurance company.

• Adopting New Technologies: Staying ahead of the curve with emerging technologies like AI and conversational interfaces and effectively researching their user experience implications.

• Remote/Hybrid Collaboration: Maintaining strong research quality and team cohesion in a hybrid work environment, ensuring all voices are heard and insights are effectively shared.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply new research methodologies, especially in areas like AI, automation, and complex enterprise systems.

• Industry Expertise: Developing a deep understanding of the insurance industry's operational challenges and how technology can solve them.

• Cross-functional Skill Development: Learning more about product management, design thinking, and agile development processes.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Potential to mentor junior researchers or take on lead roles in research initiatives.

• External Training & Conferences: Access to resources for attending relevant industry conferences and pursuing certifications in UX research or related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a researcher who is not only technically proficient but also a strong communicator, strategic thinker, and adept at stakeholder management within a corporate structure. The growth opportunities point towards a career path that offers both specialization and broader impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product decision with research findings that went against stakeholder expectations. How did you approach it?" (Focus on stakeholder management, data storytelling, and persuasion.)

• "How do you approach research when faced with significant ambiguity about user needs or project direction?" (Highlight your ability to define research questions, scope research, and navigate uncertainty.)

• "Imagine we are developing a new AI-powered tool for claims adjusters. What would be your initial research approach to understand their needs and potential concerns?" (Demonstrate your understanding of discovery research, user needs analysis, and AI-specific research considerations.)

• "How do you balance the needs of different internal user groups with competing priorities and technical constraints?" (Showcase your strategic thinking and ability to find common ground.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at Zurich's Technology Delivery Center, specifically on internal tools?" (Connect your passion for UX research to enterprise solutions and the insurance industry.)

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative and innovative team environment?" (Provide examples of your teamwork and proactive contributions.)

• "What are your thoughts on Zurich's commitment to continuous learning and development?" (Refer to their extensive training programs and express enthusiasm for growth.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role & Objectives -> Methodology -> Process -> Findings -> Recommendations -> Impact/Outcome.

• Visuals: Use mockups, screenshots, quotes, and data visualizations to illustrate your points. Keep slides clean and focused.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling stories where you played a key role in uncovering insights and driving positive change.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention metrics, improvements, or business outcomes that resulted from your research recommendations.

• Engagement: Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your process, rationale, and challenges. Engage in a dialogue rather than just presenting.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, robust research methodology, and the ability to translate complex user insights into actionable business value, particularly within an enterprise context. Be ready to discuss your experience with internal users and advanced technologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

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

• Tailor your CV and Cover Letter: Highlight experiences and skills that directly align with the job description, especially your work on enterprise platforms, internal tools, and your diverse research methodologies. Emphasize your strategic mindset and collaboration abilities.

• Prepare your Portfolio: Select 3-4 strong case studies that demonstrate your end-to-end research process, impact on product decisions, and ability to work within complex stakeholder environments. Ensure it clearly showcases your senior-level capabilities.

• Research Zurich and the TDC: Understand the company's mission, values, and the specific role of the Technology Delivery Center. Familiarize yourself with the insurance industry and common challenges faced by internal users in such organizations.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare thoughtful answers to common UX research and behavioral interview questions, focusing on your experience with enterprise challenges, stakeholder management, and driving evidence-based decisions.

⚠️ 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.

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