Senior UX Strategist & Researcher, 80-100%

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Strategist & Researcher, 80-100%

Company: Liip

Location: Basel, Switzerland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX Strategy & Research / Digital Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-08-28

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years estimated)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead UX research and strategy on complex digital projects for large organizations in key industries, driving value proposition design and user-centered solutions.

• Own the end-to-end UX process, from initial discovery workshops and opportunity spotting to concept validation and final delivery, ensuring technical, organizational, and political feasibility.

• Drive business development by identifying opportunities in existing accounts and open tenders, crafting compelling UX pitches, and articulating the value of UX approaches to win new work.

• Translate complex, unclear problems into structured, evidence-based strategies and actionable decisions, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and business objectives.

• Foster a self-organized, agile work environment, managing multiple projects concurrently by empowering and trusting your team to execute details.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is described as "Senior UX Strategist & Researcher," implying a leadership and strategic focus beyond execution. The emphasis on "making it pay off," "winning the work," and working with "public tender or a client meeting" strongly indicates a business development and client-facing component, common in consulting or agency environments. The "80-100%" suggests flexibility in working hours, which is a significant benefit for work-life balance. The mention of Holacracy points to a unique organizational structure that candidates should research.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead UX research initiatives, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, to gather critical insights and validate assumptions.

• Develop comprehensive UX strategies and evidence-based recommendations, clearly articulating how they address client needs and project goals.

• Lead UX pitches and presentations, effectively communicating strategic vision and technical feasibility to secure new projects and client buy-in.

• Design and structure complex information architectures, user journeys, and navigation concepts to create intuitive and effective digital experiences.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (Design, Content, Development) to ensure seamless integration of UX strategies into project execution, adhering to accessibility and procurement standards.

• Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities within existing client relationships and open tenders, shaping value propositions that align with Liip's expertise.

• Manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, balancing strategic oversight with the delegation of detailed execution to team members.

• Contribute to the development of UX best practices and methodologies within Liip, sharing knowledge and mentoring junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are inferred from the job description's emphasis on leading projects, pitches, and strategy. The "day in the life" section provides direct input for these responsibilities, particularly concerning project management, business development, and cross-functional collaboration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX role, though equivalent practical experience will be highly valued.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in UX strategy and research, with a proven track record of leading complex digital projects from conception to completion.

Required Skills:

• UX Strategy & Vision: Ability to define and articulate a clear UX strategy that aligns with business objectives and user needs.

• User Research Expertise: Proficient in conducting qualitative and quantitative research methods (interviews, surveys, usability testing, ethnographic research).

• Information Architecture & Navigation Design: Strong skills in structuring complex information and designing intuitive navigation systems.

• Pitching & Presentation Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead UX pitches, present compelling cases, and win new business, fluently in German and English.

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Capacity to translate raw research data into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

• Prototyping & UI Sketching: Ability to create wireframes, prototypes, and UI sketches when required by project needs.

• Agile & Holacracy Understanding: Familiarity with agile methodologies and ideally an understanding of self-organized structures like Holacracy.

• Client & Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to manage client relationships and diverse stakeholder expectations.

Preferred Skills:

• French Language Proficiency: A significant advantage for working with clients across different Swiss regions.

• Experience in Key Industries: Prior work within Public Administration, Finance, Luxury, or Healthcare sectors.

• Accessibility & Procurement Knowledge: Understanding of relevant standards and regulations.

• UI Design Principles: A solid grasp of UI design principles to complement UX strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Your profile" section directly lists key skills and experience requirements. The "Senior" title and the emphasis on leadership, pitching, and strategy suggest a need for substantial experience. The language requirements are explicitly stated.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Demonstrating end-to-end UX strategy and research projects, highlighting problem definition, methodology, execution, and measurable outcomes.

• Strategic Impact: Portfolios should showcase how UX strategy translated into tangible business value, such as increased user adoption, improved conversion rates, or enhanced customer satisfaction.

• Research Methodology: Evidence of diverse research techniques employed and how findings informed design decisions and strategic direction.

• IA & Navigation Examples: Visual examples of complex information architecture and navigation systems designed for clarity and usability.

• Pitch & Presentation Samples: (Optional, but highly recommended) Examples of pitch decks or presentation materials that illustrate strategic thinking and persuasive communication.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly outline the discovery and research phases, including how initial problem statements were refined.

• Detail the strategic planning process, including how user insights were synthesized into actionable plans.

• Showcase the iterative design and validation process, demonstrating how feedback was incorporated.

• Provide examples of how technical, organizational, and political constraints were navigated.

• Illustrate how accessibility and procurement requirements were integrated into the UX process.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the job description heavily implies the need for candidates to demonstrate their ability to "make it pay off," "turn them into evidence, structure, and a strategy that works," and "make the case for the right UX approach, and win the work." This directly translates to the need for a portfolio that showcases strategic thinking, research-driven decision-making, and successful project outcomes, particularly in client-facing scenarios.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX Strategist & Researcher in Basel, Switzerland, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range would be CHF 110,000 - CHF 145,000. This range reflects the high cost of living in Switzerland, the demand for specialized UX talent, and the senior nature of the role.

Benefits:

• Self-organization at all levels: Empowering employees to take ownership and shape their work.

• Flexible workload: Option for 80-100% employment, allowing for tailored working hours.

• Fair and transparent pay: Commitment to equitable compensation practices.

• #liipway Culture: Access to Liip's unique company culture and values.

• Central Basel Office: Convenient office location in the heart of Basel.

• Comprehensive Benefits: (Further details to be confirmed directly with Liip, but typically include health insurance, retirement plans, professional development opportunities, and paid time off).

Working Hours: Flexible working hours are available, with the role specified as 80-100% of a full-time workload (typically 40 hours per week in Switzerland). This allows for significant autonomy and work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for senior UX roles in Switzerland, specifically Basel, considering the cost of living and demand. Benefits are directly extracted from the "What we offer" section. The working hours are inferred from the "80-100%" description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Agency / Technology Consulting. Liip operates in the digital transformation space, serving clients across various sectors.

Company Size: Approximately 200 employees. This size suggests a dynamic environment with opportunities for broad impact and cross-functional collaboration, while still maintaining a relatively close-knit feel.

Founded: 2007. With over 15 years of experience, Liip has established a strong reputation and a mature operational framework.

Team Structure:

• Agile & Self-Organized: Liip operates using agile principles and Holacracy, meaning there are no traditional hierarchical management structures. Teams are self-organizing, with individuals taking ownership of roles and responsibilities.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The job description emphasizes close work with Design, Content, and Development teams, indicating a highly collaborative environment where UX strategy is integrated across disciplines.

• Expert-driven: Composed of around 200 experts in strategy, creation, and web/app development, suggesting a culture that values deep expertise and continuous learning.

Methodology:

• Agile & Holacracy: Core operational methodologies that promote flexibility, autonomy, and rapid adaptation.

• User-Centric Design: Strong emphasis on putting research and strategy at the center of every project to deliver effective solutions.

• Impact-Oriented: A focus on delivering social, environmental, and economic impact, indicating a purpose-driven approach to digital projects.

Company Website: https://www.liip.ch

📝 Enhancement Note: Company culture and structure are derived from the provided description, particularly the mention of Holacracy, self-organization, and the number of experts. The industry and founding date are also directly stated.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior or lead level within the UX discipline. It requires not only strong technical UX skills but also strategic thinking, business development acumen, and the ability to lead projects and pitches independently. It's a role for someone who can operate with significant autonomy and influence client strategy.

Reporting Structure: In a Holacracy framework, there isn't a traditional manager. Instead, individuals operate within "circles" (teams or functional areas) and have "roles" with defined accountabilities. Reporting is often described in terms of "serving" specific roles or circles, and individuals may have "coaches" or "facilitators" rather than direct managers. The Senior UX Strategist & Researcher would likely lead UX-related roles within project circles and potentially contribute to the governance of UX-focused circles.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the success of digital projects by ensuring they are user-centered, strategically sound, and technically feasible. This translates to client satisfaction, successful project outcomes, and revenue generation for Liip through winning pitches and delivering high-value solutions. The "making it pay off" aspect highlights the link between UX strategy and business results.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in UX: Opportunity to shape UX strategy across a portfolio of high-impact projects for major clients.

• Business Development: Develop strong client-facing and pitching skills, potentially leading to client management roles.

• Holacracy Mastery: Deepen expertise in self-organization and agile governance, becoming a leader within Liip's unique operational model.

• Cross-Disciplinary Growth: Exposure to strategy, creation, and web/app development provides a holistic understanding of digital product lifecycles.

• Mentorship: Potential to mentor and guide other UX professionals within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis of career level, reporting structure, and growth opportunities is based on the "Senior" title, the description of responsibilities (leading pitches, strategy), and the explicit mention of Holacracy. The impact is inferred from the role's strategic and client-facing nature.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Liip has physical offices in multiple Swiss cities, including a central office in Basel. The environment is described as agile and self-organized, implying a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Basel, Switzerland. Liip also has offices in St. Gallen, Zurich, Bern, Fribourg, and Lausanne. The Basel office is noted as being "central."

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Offices likely feature open workspaces, meeting rooms, and informal areas designed for collaboration, workshops, and client presentations.

• Agile Tools & Technology: Access to modern digital tools and technologies necessary for UX research, strategy, design, and project management.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with diverse teams of experts in strategy, design, and development, fostering a rich learning and collaborative environment.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key feature, with the role available at 80-100% capacity. This allows individuals to structure their workdays and weeks to best suit project demands and personal needs, within the framework of project deadlines and client engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Information about the work environment is drawn from the office locations provided, the description of Liip as a digital agency, and the emphasis on agile and self-organized work, which implies a modern, collaborative office setup.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of CV and portfolio, focusing on strategic UX experience, research capabilities, and language proficiency.

• First Interview: May focus on behavioral questions, past project experiences, and understanding of UX strategy and research methodologies. Expect questions about how you handle complex problems and client engagements.

• Pitch/Case Study: A common step for senior consulting roles. Candidates might be asked to prepare a short pitch or case study based on a hypothetical client scenario, demonstrating their strategic thinking, research approach, and presentation skills. This is where your portfolio will be crucial.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Discussion with potential colleagues to assess fit with Liip's agile, self-organized culture (Holacracy). Questions will likely revolve around collaboration, autonomy, and ownership.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss the role's strategic impact, career growth, and final terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Strategic Impact: Focus on projects where your UX strategy significantly influenced business outcomes. Quantify results where possible (e.g., improved conversion, user satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Research Rigor: Detail your research process, explaining why specific methods were chosen and how findings led to concrete decisions.

• Demonstrate Problem-Solving: For complex projects, clearly articulate the initial problem, your approach to understanding it, and how you navigated constraints (technical, organizational, political).

• Present Pitch Experience: If possible, include examples or descriptions of how you've successfully pitched UX solutions.

• Tailor to Liip: Research Liip's clients and projects. If possible, frame your portfolio examples to align with the industries they serve (Public Admin, Finance, Luxury, Healthcare).

• Language Fluency: Be prepared to discuss your projects and strategy in both German and English.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Holacracy: Familiarize yourself with Holacracy principles and how self-organization impacts project execution and team dynamics.

• Anticipate Pitch Scenarios: Practice articulating a value proposition for a fictional client problem within a limited timeframe.

• Prepare for Cross-Functional Dynamics: Think about how you collaborate with developers and designers, and how you ensure UX is integrated effectively.

• Articulate "Why UX?": Be ready to strongly advocate for the value of UX strategy and research, especially in complex or traditionally non-UX-focused environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is built by inferring typical interview processes for senior consulting roles, especially those emphasizing strategy and business development, combined with Liip's stated culture and methodologies (agile, Holacracy, client pitches).

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Tools: Proficient use of tools for user interviews (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms), and usability testing (e.g., Lookback, UserTesting.com, Maze).

• Information Architecture & Wireframing: Expertise in tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP, Miro, or Lucidchart for creating IA diagrams, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.

• Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with prototyping functionalities within design tools (Figma, XD) or dedicated tools like InVision.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior on digital platforms.

• Data Visualization: Ability to use tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets to present research findings and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management: Familiarity with agile project management tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing project workflows and tasks.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Confluence for team communication and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for UX Strategists and Researchers, especially those involved in complex digital projects. The emphasis on research, IA, prototyping, and collaboration directly informs the selection of relevant tool categories.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for projects and outcomes, characteristic of a self-organized environment.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively with diverse teams and maintaining open communication, crucial in agile and Holacracy settings.

• Impact & Purpose: A drive to create digital solutions that have a positive social, environmental, and economic impact.

• Continuous Learning & Adaptability: Embracing new methodologies, technologies, and client needs in a fast-paced digital agency environment.

• User-Centricity: Placing the user at the heart of all strategic and design decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Working in flexible, cross-functional teams with a focus on continuous feedback and adaptation.

• Empowerment-Driven: Encouraging team members to take initiative and contribute their expertise, aligning with Holacracy principles.

• Strategic Partnership: Collaborating with clients and internal teams as a strategic partner, not just an executor, to co-create solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that values sharing expertise and best practices across disciplines and projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from Liip's stated culture (agile, self-organized, Holacracy, impact-driven) and the nature of a senior, client-facing role in a digital agency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Managing diverse expectations and priorities across large organizations in public administration, finance, or healthcare.

• Balancing Ideal UX with Real-World Constraints: Developing strategies that are user-centric yet feasible within technical, organizational, and political limitations.

• Driving Adoption of UX in Tenders: Persuading clients and procurement teams of the strategic value of a robust UX approach from the outset.

• Managing Multiple High-Impact Projects: Effectively prioritizing and executing on several complex initiatives concurrently while maintaining strategic oversight.

• Adapting to Holacracy: Thriving in a self-organized structure that requires proactive engagement and a different approach to leadership and decision-making.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Methodologies: Deepening expertise in cutting-edge research techniques and strategic frameworks.

• Business Development & Sales: Enhancing skills in pitching, proposal writing, and client relationship management.

• Industry Specialization: Gaining deeper knowledge and experience in sectors like Public Administration, Finance, Luxury, or Healthcare.

• Leadership in Agile/Holacracy: Developing skills in guiding self-organized teams and contributing to organizational governance.

• Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: Broadening understanding of strategy, creation, and development to become a more holistic digital consultant.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified by considering the typical complexities of senior UX roles in consulting, especially within the mentioned industries and Liip's operational model. Growth opportunities are linked to the senior nature of the role and the company's structure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you turned a complex, unclear problem into a clear UX strategy. What was your process and what were the results?" (Focus on problem definition, research synthesis, strategic output, and impact.)

• "How do you make a case for UX investment in a public tender or a client meeting, especially when budget or technical constraints are a concern?" (Prepare to discuss value proposition, ROI, and risk mitigation.)

• "Walk us through a UX pitch you led. What was the client's challenge, how did you structure your proposal, and what made it successful?" (Highlight your pitching process, strategic thinking, and persuasive communication.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Liip operates using Holacracy. How do you see yourself contributing to and thriving in a self-organized structure?" (Research Holacracy and prepare examples of taking initiative, owning roles, and collaborating.)

• "How do you collaborate with Development and Content teams to ensure a cohesive digital product strategy?" (Focus on cross-functional communication, integration, and shared ownership.)

• "Describe a project where your UX strategy delivered significant business impact. How did you measure this impact?" (Be ready to discuss metrics, KPIs, and how UX contributed to business goals.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the client's challenge, your role and approach, the key research insights, the strategic decisions made, the solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes.

• Emphasize Strategy & Research: Ensure your presentation highlights your strategic thinking and the rigor of your research methods, not just final designs.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your strategies. If exact numbers aren't available, discuss the intended impact and how it was validated.

• Be Prepared for "Why?": For every step and decision, be ready to explain the rationale behind it.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, especially the pitch examples, to ensure clarity, confidence, and conciseness, in both German and English.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to probe the core requirements of the role: strategic thinking, research expertise, client-facing skills, and cultural fit within an agile, self-organized environment. Portfolio presentation advice is tailored to showcase the specific skills and experience Liip is seeking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Strategist & Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Liip job portal at jobs.liip.ch.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful UX strategy and research projects. For each, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the research methodologies used, the solutions implemented, and most importantly, the measurable business or user outcomes. Tailor your presentation to highlight experience relevant to Liip's target industries (Public Administration, Finance, Luxury, Healthcare).

• Optimize Your CV: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience in UX strategy and research, leadership roles, pitching experience, and language proficiencies (German and English are essential). Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for a Pitch/Case Study: Be ready to discuss your approach to developing and presenting UX strategies for complex client challenges. Consider how you would structure a pitch for a hypothetical client scenario.

• Research Liip: Understand their culture, methodology (especially Holacracy), client portfolio, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your application and prepare for interviews, demonstrating your genuine interest and fit.

⚠️ 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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