User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher

Company: Ayvens

Location: Madrid, Spain

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience & Research Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-24

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive user-centered decision-making across digital products by planning, executing, and communicating high-quality research.

• Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights to inform product strategy and design.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and engineers to shape product direction and vision.

• Advocate for user needs and embed a user-centered mindset throughout the organization, supporting designers and product teams in lightweight research initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a crucial "User Experience & Research Operations" category, reflecting the critical function of bridging user needs with product development strategy. The emphasis on driving user-centered decision-making and translating insights to influence product direction highlights its strategic importance, aligning with typical mid-level User Researcher responsibilities in a dynamic digital product environment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative user research across all stages of the digital product lifecycle, from ideation to post-launch analysis.

• Execute a variety of research methodologies including, but not limited to, in-depth interviews, usability testing, surveys, focus groups, diary studies, and competitive analysis.

• Analyze research data to identify patterns, pain points, and opportunities, synthesizing findings into compelling, actionable insights and recommendations.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional product teams (Product Management, UX/UI Design, Engineering, Marketing) to define research objectives and integrate user feedback into product roadmaps.

• Develop and maintain a centralized research repository or knowledge base to capture and disseminate user insights across the organization, ensuring accessibility and impact.

• Advocate for user needs and champion a user-centered design philosophy, educating stakeholders on the value of user research and its application in product development.

• Provide guidance and support to designers and product managers on conducting lightweight, ad-hoc research to quickly validate hypotheses and gather immediate feedback.

• Select and justify appropriate research methods based on specific research questions, project timelines, and available resources, ensuring methodological rigor.

• Present research findings and strategic recommendations to diverse audiences, including senior leadership (up to C-level), clearly articulating the user perspective and its business implications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed go beyond basic research execution, emphasizing strategic influence, cross-functional collaboration, and knowledge management. The inclusion of "advocating for user needs" and "supporting lightweight research" indicates a role that is both strategic and enabling, aiming to embed user-centricity broadly within Ayvens' digital product teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Science, Design, Anthropology, Sociology, or a closely related field. Experience:

• 3–5 years of progressive experience in user research, with a proven track record of delivering impactful insights within a multi-domain digital product environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage the end-to-end research process, from defining objectives and selecting methodologies to synthesizing findings and presenting recommendations.

• Experience working effectively within agile, cross-functional product teams, contributing to product strategy and roadmap development. Required Skills:

• Qualitative Research Expertise: Proficient in conducting user interviews, usability testing, ethnographic studies, contextual inquiries, and focus groups.

• Quantitative Research Proficiency: Skilled in designing and executing surveys, analyzing behavioral data (e.g., clickstream, A/B test results), and interpreting quantitative metrics.

• Research Method Selection: Ability to choose the most appropriate research methods based on project goals, timelines, and available resources.

• Insight Synthesis & Communication: Strong analytical skills to synthesize complex data into clear, concise, and actionable insights, with exceptional presentation and storytelling abilities.

• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to influence and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership and C-suite executives.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience working collaboratively with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, Engineers, and other cross-functional teams.

• Research Tools Proficiency: Familiarity with industry-standard research tools and platforms such as UserTesting, Hotjar, Matomo, Google Analytics, SurveyMonkey, or similar.

• Organizational Skills: Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously, prioritizing effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced statistical analysis or data visualization tools.

• Familiarity with accessibility research and inclusive design principles.

• Experience in the automotive, leasing, or mobility services industry.

• Mentoring or coaching experience for junior researchers or cross-functional team members.

• Proficiency in a language other than English, particularly Spanish, given the location.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 3-5 years of experience and a degree in a related field firmly places this role at a mid-level. The emphasis on influencing stakeholders up to C-level and managing multiple projects simultaneously underscores the strategic and organizational demands of the position. The inclusion of specific tools like UserTesting, Hotjar, Matomo, and Google Analytics is critical for candidates to highlight their practical experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Demonstrate 2-3 comprehensive case studies showcasing the entire research lifecycle from problem definition to implemented solutions, highlighting your specific role and contributions.

• Methodology Showcase: Clearly articulate the research methods used in each case study, justifying their selection based on project objectives and constraints.

• Insight Impact: Quantify the impact of your research findings on product decisions, user experience improvements, or business outcomes (e.g., increased conversion rates, reduced task completion time, improved user satisfaction scores).

• Deliverables Examples: Include examples of key deliverables such as research plans, user personas, journey maps, usability test reports, and executive summaries.

• Collaboration Evidence: Highlight instances where your research directly influenced cross-functional teams and product strategy.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in documenting research processes, including research plans, participant recruitment criteria, and data analysis frameworks.

• Showcase how you have contributed to or maintained research repositories and knowledge-sharing platforms.

• Provide examples of how you have translated raw research data into structured, digestible insights for various audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a User Researcher role, a portfolio is essential to showcase practical application of research skills. The emphasis on demonstrating the impact of research and the process of synthesizing and communicating insights is key. Candidates should prepare to walk through their case studies, explaining their decision-making at each stage, particularly how they influenced product direction and collaborated with teams.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for User Researchers with 3-5 years of experience in Madrid, Spain, the estimated annual salary range is €45,000 - €60,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Madrid, the company's likely scale as a global leader in mobility services, and the specific demands of the role. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Rewards and Recognition: Competitive salary, potential for performance-based bonuses, and recognition programs.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training programs, workshops, and support for attending industry conferences.

• Health and Well-being: Robust health insurance, wellness programs, and initiatives to support a healthy work-life balance.

• Career Growth: Clear pathways for career advancement within Ayvens, including opportunities for specialization or leadership roles.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Company-sponsored retirement or pension plan.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available based on team needs and project demands. The role is on-site in Madrid, requiring presence in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on general market data for a mid-level User Researcher in Madrid. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and Ayvens' internal compensation structure. The listed benefits are inferred from standard offerings for large, international corporations and the company's stated commitment to employee well-being and growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sustainable Mobility, Automotive Services, Fleet Management, and Multi-mobility Solutions. Ayvens is a significant player in a rapidly evolving sector, driven by trends in electrification, decarbonization, and digital transformation.

Company Size: Large enterprise with a global presence (over 3.1 million vehicles managed across more than 40 countries). This scale implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact within significant projects.

Founded: Ayvens is a relatively new brand identity, formed from the rebranding of ALD Automotive and the merger with LeasePlan. This means the company is in a phase of integrating cultures and driving forward a unified vision for the future of mobility.

Team Structure:

• User Research Function: Likely part of a broader UX/Design team or a dedicated Research & Insights department. The role involves close collaboration with Product Management, UX/UI Designers, and Engineering teams.

• Reporting Structure: The User Researcher will likely report to a Head of UX, a Research Lead, or a Product Design Manager, with potential for mentorship from senior researchers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: High degree of interaction with product teams, marketing, data analytics, and potentially business stakeholders across different geographies, given Ayvens' international operations.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using data, both quantitative and qualitative, to inform product development and strategic decisions.

• Agile Development Practices: Likely operates within agile frameworks, requiring flexibility and iterative research approaches.

• User-Centricity: A core value that permeates product development, aiming to deeply understand and serve customer needs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Ayvens' recent formation through mergers suggests a company undergoing significant integration and strategic alignment. The User Researcher will play a key role in shaping a unified user-centric approach across diverse product lines and international markets. Understanding the company's commitment to sustainability and digital transformation will be crucial for cultural fit.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level User Researcher. This role is for an individual contributor with 3-5 years of experience who can independently manage research projects, deliver high-quality insights, and influence product decisions. They are expected to be proficient in various research methodologies and comfortable working with cross-functional teams.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a UX Lead, Research Manager, or Product Design Manager. This structure provides mentorship and guidance while allowing for autonomy in research execution. The role will also involve significant collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers.

Operations Impact: The User Researcher's impact is directly tied to shaping the user experience of Ayvens' digital products. By ensuring user needs are understood and addressed, they contribute to customer satisfaction, product adoption, efficiency gains, and ultimately, the company's strategic goals in sustainable mobility and digital transformation. Their insights can prevent costly product missteps and guide the development of successful, user-loved features.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced analytics, generative research, longitudinal studies) or product domains (e.g., fleet management platforms, customer portals).

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior User Researcher role, taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior team members, and playing a more strategic role in research program design.

• Management: Transition into a Research Manager or UX Lead position, overseeing a team of researchers, setting research strategy, and managing stakeholder relationships at a higher level.

• Cross-functional Movement: Opportunities to move into Product Management or UX Design roles, leveraging their deep understanding of user needs and product development processes.

• Continuous Learning: Access to training, conferences, and internal development programs to stay current with the latest UX research trends and tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a User Researcher at a company like Ayvens is typically vertical (Senior Researcher, Lead, Manager) or lateral into related disciplines like Product Management or UX Design. The emphasis on "sustainable mobility" and "digital transformation" suggests opportunities to contribute to innovative projects with significant real-world impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role in Madrid, Spain. This suggests a traditional office environment that fosters in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and direct interaction with colleagues.

Office Location(s): Madrid, Spain (specifically Majadahonda Norias). This location offers access to a major European capital with a vibrant professional scene.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace designed to encourage interaction, brainstorming, and cross-functional teamwork. This may include open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and collaborative zones.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology, high-speed internet, and potentially