User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher

Company: AffiniPay (8am™)

Location: Remote - US

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience / Product Research

Date Posted: August 19, 2025

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead user research initiatives to uncover critical user needs and pain points within the legal, accounting, and client-focused professional services sectors.

• Drive the discovery and validation of product features, translating qualitative insights into actionable recommendations that align user needs with business objectives.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Design, Product Management, Engineering, and Data Analytics, to ensure user-centered solutions are integrated into the product development lifecycle.

• Act as the primary advocate for the user, championing their perspective to inform strategic product decisions and identify new opportunities for business growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is "User Researcher," its focus on driving measurable impact and aligning user needs with business objectives strongly positions it within a broader GTM (Go-To-Market) operations framework, particularly in informing product-market fit and user adoption strategies. The emphasis on legal, accounting, and client-focused professionals indicates a B2B SaaS context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently own and execute generative and evaluative research projects across various product experiences, employing rigorous qualitative methodologies to extract deep user insights.

• Partner with Product Managers, Designers, Data Analysts, and leadership to define research goals, scope projects, and establish realistic timelines, ensuring alignment with strategic business priorities.

• Develop and deliver compelling research artifacts, including presentations, reports, and user journey maps, that clearly communicate findings and actionable recommendations to diverse stakeholder groups.

• Cultivate a profound understanding of user needs, workflows, and pain points within the legal tech, accounting tech, and professional services automation landscapes, acting as the authoritative voice of the customer.

• Proactively identify strategic opportunities for product innovation and improvement by synthesizing user feedback, market trends, and business requirements, thereby contributing to the overall product strategy and roadmap.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research processes and best practices within the UX and Product teams, fostering a culture of data-informed decision-making.

• Conduct other duties as assigned, supporting the broader goals of the Product and User Experience teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Identify strategic opportunities that address user needs and create business value" implies a direct contribution to GTM strategy by informing product-market fit and potential revenue generation through enhanced user satisfaction and adoption. The mention of "product experiences" and "cross-functionally" suggests a need for strong stakeholder management skills critical in operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Qualitative Research Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in planning, executing, and synthesizing findings from various qualitative research methods (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry, diary studies).

• Storytelling & Presentation Skills: Exceptional ability to craft clear, compelling narratives and deliver impactful presentations tailored to diverse audiences, motivating stakeholders and driving action.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven experience working effectively with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Data Analysts, fostering strong working relationships and facilitating user-centered decision-making.

• Proficiency in Research Tools: Hands-on experience with industry-standard user research and collaboration tools such as Figma, Zoom, UserTesting.com, Maze, Dovetail, Reduct, and Qualtrics.

• AI Tool Integration: Demonstrated experience leveraging AI tools and technologies to enhance research workflows, improve data analysis, and drive innovation in product development.

Preferred Skills:

• Domain Knowledge: Working knowledge of AI and automation technologies, with an understanding of their application in professional services.

• Industry Experience: Prior experience with B2B products, fintech, legal tech, or SaaS platforms, providing context for user needs in these domains.

• Quantitative Analysis: Familiarity with quantitative data analysis and its integration with qualitative findings to provide a holistic understanding of user behavior.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for AI tool proficiency and the "nice to have" for working knowledge of AI and automation technologies suggests that this role is forward-looking and may involve research into how AI can enhance the user experience or operational efficiency of AffiniPay's products. This aligns with modern trends in GTM operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Research Case Studies: A curated portfolio showcasing 2-3 detailed case studies of significant research projects led by the candidate, demonstrating end-to-end ownership from problem definition to impact assessment.

• Methodological Rigor: Evidence of diverse research methodologies employed, clearly articulated with justifications for method selection based on research objectives and constraints.

• Insight-to-Impact Connection: Clear demonstration of how research insights directly influenced product design, strategy, and ultimately led to measurable business outcomes or user improvements.

• Deliverable Quality: Examples of high-quality research deliverables, including user interview summaries, usability test reports, journey maps, personas, and compelling presentation decks.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase experience in designing and documenting research workflows, from participant recruitment and screening to data synthesis and reporting.

• System Implementation: Examples of how research findings were integrated into product development systems and processes, influencing iterative design and development cycles.

• Performance Measurement: Documentation illustrating how the impact of research recommendations was tracked and measured against key performance indicators (KPIs) related to user satisfaction, adoption, or business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on connecting research to business strategy and showing measurable impact is a core tenet of operations roles. A strong portfolio demonstrating this link will be crucial for candidates, as it reflects an understanding of how research contributes to broader GTM success.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including a 100% company-paid High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) option for employees.

• Financial Perks: Competitive compensation package, including annual bonuses, equity options, and a 401(k) plan with a company match.

• Time for What Matters: Flexible Time Off (FTO) policy, paid company holidays, and a supportive parental leave program.

• Wellness Support: Generous wellness stipends, access to mental health resources, and one-on-one nutrition coaching.

• Learning and Development: Access to continuous learning through "8am.edu," leadership development programs, professional development funds, and personalized talent development plans.

• Community Engagement: Opportunities to participate in charitable matching programs, paid volunteer time off, and company-sponsored volunteer events.

• Team Engagement: Regular virtual and in-person team-building events, recognition programs (e.g., Rise & Shine Award of Excellence), and a peer-to-peer appreciation platform.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, reflecting a full-time commitment. However, the "Flexible Time Off" benefit suggests a degree of flexibility in how work hours are managed, provided responsibilities are met and collaboration with teams across different time zones is maintained effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed benefits package, particularly the emphasis on learning and development and wellness, indicates a company culture that invests in its employees' holistic well-being and professional growth, which is attractive to operations professionals seeking a supportive environment. The inclusion of equity options and annual bonuses points towards a performance-driven culture, common in fast-growing tech companies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech), Software as a Service (SaaS)

Company Size: The company has been recognized by Inc. 5000 for 13 consecutive years, indicating significant growth and a substantial employee base, likely in the range of 200-500+ employees, though specific numbers are not provided. This size typically allows for both established processes and opportunities for individual impact.

Founded: 2005. This provides a history of growth and adaptation within the evolving fintech and professional services automation landscape.

Team Structure:

• The User Researcher will likely be embedded within a Product or UX team, reporting to a UX Manager or Director of Product.

• The team structure emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, with the researcher working closely with Product Managers, Product Designers, Data Analysts, and Engineering leads.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong emphasis on leveraging data (both qualitative user research and quantitative analytics) to inform product strategy and design choices.

• Agile Development Integration: Research activities are expected to be integrated into an agile product development lifecycle, supporting iterative design and continuous improvement.

• User-Centric Design Principles: The core methodology revolves around deeply understanding user needs and translating those into user-centered solutions that drive business value.

Company Website: https://www.affinipay.com/ (Note: The job posting links to 8am.com, but AffiniPay is the parent company and the branding for professionals.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long-standing presence on the Inc. 5000 list signifies a track record of consistent growth and operational efficiency. The culture values "Work Smart, Win Fast," "Outshine Ordinary," and "We Find a Way," which points to an environment that rewards proactive problem-solving, high performance, and adaptability – key traits for successful operations professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level User Researcher, requiring 2-5 years of experience. It offers significant autonomy in managing research projects for key features, indicating a level of responsibility beyond entry-level positions.

Reporting Structure: The User Researcher will likely report to a Manager or Director within the Product or UX department. This structure allows for guidance and mentorship while providing ample opportunity to influence product strategy.

Operations Impact: The User Researcher's insights are critical for informing product-market fit, user adoption strategies, and customer satisfaction. This directly impacts revenue generation and retention by ensuring products meet user needs and deliver value, thereby supporting GTM objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or areas like generative research, longitudinal studies, or advanced usability testing.

• Leadership in Research: Potential to lead larger, more complex research initiatives, mentor junior researchers, or contribute to establishing best practices and research frameworks within the organization.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Growth into roles that bridge research with product management, design leadership, or even GTM strategy, leveraging user insights to drive broader business outcomes.

• Domain Expertise Development: Deepen knowledge within fintech, legal tech, and SaaS, becoming a subject matter expert on user behavior in these specific verticals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on connecting research to business strategy and driving measurable impact suggests a clear path for growth into more senior or specialized operations roles that require a deep understanding of user behavior and its influence on commercial success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This offers maximum flexibility and the ability to work from any location within the United States.

Office Location(s): Remote - US. AffiniPay (8am™) has a distributed workforce across the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: The environment relies heavily on digital collaboration tools and effective asynchronous communication to maintain team cohesion and productivity.

• Technology Stack: Access to a robust suite of collaboration and research tools (Figma, Zoom, UserTesting, Maze, Dovetail, etc.) is provided to facilitate effective research and communication.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction with the operations team, product managers, designers, and other stakeholders will occur through virtual meetings, project collaboration platforms, and potentially occasional in-person meetups or offsites (though not explicitly stated, common in remote-first companies).

Work Schedule: While the core expectation is a 40-hour work week, the "Flexible Time Off" policy suggests a results-oriented approach where employees can manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines and collaborate across different time zones, a common characteristic of modern operations environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: A fully remote setting requires strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and comfort with digital tools for collaboration, all of which are essential skills for successful operations professionals. The company's investment in remote work infrastructure and culture is a positive indicator.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a Talent Acquisition Specialist to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the role, likely focusing on key qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive with the hiring manager to assess your research skills, experience with qualitative methodologies, and understanding of user-centered design principles. Be prepared to discuss specific research projects.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 key research case studies from your portfolio to a panel of stakeholders (e.g., Product Manager, Designer, potentially a lead engineer or data analyst).

• Cross-Functional Interview: An interview with peers or stakeholders from related departments (e.g., Product Management, Design) to evaluate your collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to translate insights into actionable business strategies.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final interview with a senior leader to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall alignment with the company's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role, the methodologies used, your key findings, and, most importantly, the impact of your research on the product and business outcomes. Quantify impact where possible.

• Showcase Process: Detail your research process – how you planned, executed, synthesized, and communicated your findings. Highlight your ability to adapt methodologies to different project needs.

• Tell a Story: Structure your case studies as compelling narratives that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to influence decision-making.

• Tailor to AffiniPay: Research AffiniPay's products and target audience (legal, accounting professionals). Consider how your past experience aligns with their specific challenges and opportunities.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it flows smoothly, stays within the allotted time, and effectively communicates your value proposition. Be ready for follow-up questions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Scenario: You might be given a hypothetical product scenario or a specific user problem and asked to outline a research plan, including methodologies, participant criteria, and key questions.

• Data Synthesis: You could be presented with simulated research data (e.g., interview transcripts, usability test results) and asked to synthesize themes, identify key insights, and propose recommendations.

• Presentation Skills: Be prepared to present your findings clearly and concisely, defending your insights and recommendations. Practice articulating complex ideas in a simple, impactful manner.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations candidates often excel by demonstrating a structured approach to problem-solving and a clear articulation of the "so what?" for their findings. Highlighting the business impact of your research will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, UserZoom (for remote usability testing, surveys, and analytics).

• Collaboration & Prototyping: Figma (for design collaboration and understanding prototypes), Zoom (for remote interviews and meetings).

• Data Synthesis & Organization: Dovetail, Reduct (for organizing and analyzing qualitative data, transcription, and coding).

• Survey & Data Collection: Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey (for structured data collection and feedback surveys).

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly used by the researcher, understanding how CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms are used will provide context for user journey mapping and identifying customer touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a range of qualitative research tools is expected. The mention of Figma and potentially analytics tools suggests a need to understand the broader product development tech stack and how user research integrates with design and data analysis.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Work Smart, Win Fast: Prioritizes efficiency, intelligent execution, and achieving results quickly. This means research should be focused, actionable, and contribute to rapid product iteration.

• Outshine Ordinary: Encourages going above and beyond, delivering exceptional quality, and seeking innovative solutions. This applies to the depth of research, the clarity of insights, and the impact of recommendations.

• We Find a Way: Embodies a proactive, resilient, and problem-solving attitude. Researchers are expected to overcome challenges in recruitment, methodology, or stakeholder buy-in to deliver valuable outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The culture fosters close collaboration between research, product, design, and engineering. Researchers are expected to be active participants in cross-functional discussions and decision-making processes.

• User Advocacy: A strong emphasis on championing the user's perspective and ensuring their needs are understood and addressed throughout the product lifecycle.

• Data-Informed Culture: Decisions are expected to be driven by data and user insights, encouraging open discussion and constructive feedback on research findings and product direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core values directly translate into expectations for how operations professionals should approach their work: with efficiency, a commitment to quality, and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Rigor: In a fast-paced environment, a key challenge will be conducting thorough, high-quality research while meeting tight project deadlines. This requires strong prioritization and efficient research design.

• Translating Insights into Action: Effectively communicating complex user insights in a way that resonates with and influences diverse stakeholders (technical and non-technical) can be challenging.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Maintaining strong team connections and effective communication in a fully remote setting requires intentional effort and mastery of collaboration tools.

• Evolving AI Landscape: Staying abreast of advancements in AI and understanding how to research its impact on user behavior and product development will be an ongoing challenge and opportunity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX Research Techniques: Access to "8am.edu" and professional development funds can support learning new research methodologies, tools, and best practices.

• Fintech/Legal Tech Domain Expertise: Deepening understanding of the specific user needs and market dynamics within the professional services technology sector.

• Strategic Influence: Developing skills in influencing product strategy and business decisions through impactful research communication and stakeholder management.

• AI in Research: Exploring and integrating AI tools into research workflows, potentially leading to specialization in AI-driven user experience research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for mid-level operations roles in growing tech companies, emphasizing the need for adaptability, strong communication, and continuous learning. The growth opportunities are substantial for someone looking to build a career in user-centric product development and GTM strategy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Research Approach: "Describe a time you had to choose between a quick, less rigorous research method and a longer, more thorough one. How did you decide, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on balancing speed and depth, stakeholder considerations.)

• Impact Demonstration: "Tell me about a research project where your insights directly led to a significant product change or business outcome. What was the impact, and how did you measure it?" (Highlight your ability to connect research to measurable results.)

• Stakeholder Management: "How do you handle situations where stakeholders disagree with your research findings or recommendations? Provide an example." (Showcase your communication, persuasion, and diplomacy skills.)

• AI in Research: "How have you used AI tools in your research process, or how do you envision them being used to improve user research efficiency or effectiveness?" (Be prepared to discuss specific tools and potential applications.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Understanding: "What do you know about AffiniPay and the legal/accounting tech space? Why are you interested in researching for this industry?" (Demonstrate your research into the company and market.)

• Values Alignment: "How do your personal work values align with 'Work Smart, Win Fast,' 'Outshine Ordinary,' and 'We Find a Way'?" (Connect your work style and philosophy to the company's core values.)

• Remote Collaboration: "What are your strategies for effective collaboration and communication in a fully remote environment?" (Share your best practices for remote work.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, clearly outline:

  1. The Challenge/Problem: What user need or business problem were you addressing?
  2. Your Role & Objectives: What was your specific contribution and the research goals?
  3. Methodology: What methods did you use and why?
  4. Key Findings: What were the most critical insights?
  5. Recommendations: What actions did you propose based on your findings?
  6. Impact/Outcome: What were the results of implementing your recommendations? (Quantify if possible.)

• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., key quotes, journey maps, user flow diagrams, impactful charts) to support your narrative.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful projects within the allotted time, focusing on clarity and key takeaways. Anticipate questions about your process and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing specific examples that showcase your ability to drive measurable impact and articulate your strategic thinking will be key. Frame your experience in terms of how it contributes to business success, a core element of operations roles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned User Researcher position:

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

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, specifically focusing on qualitative research methodologies, cross-functional collaboration, storytelling, presentation skills, and proficiency with mentioned tools (Figma, UserTesting, etc.). Quantify your achievements wherever possible (e.g., "Improved user satisfaction by X% through research-driven design changes").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is polished, easily navigable, and clearly demonstrates your end-to-end research process and impact. Select case studies that best align with the responsibilities and company context. Be ready to walk through them confidently.

• Research AffiniPay/8am™: Familiarize yourself with their products, target market (legal, accounting, professional services), and company values. Understand how user research contributes to their business objectives in the fintech/SaaS space.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare answers to common interview questions, especially those related to your research process, handling difficult stakeholders, and demonstrating impact. Practice your portfolio presentation to ensure clarity and conciseness.

⚠️ 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.