UX Designer (H/F)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher Confirmé(e) (H/F)

Company: Smile Group (UX-Republic)

Location: Bordeaux, France

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX Research / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-10-06

Experience Level: 5+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead user-centric research initiatives to inform product strategy and development within complex B2B, E-commerce, and technical product environments.

• Drive continuous discovery processes by coaching Product Managers and integrating user insights into the product roadmap, ensuring strategic de-risking and maximized impact.

• Structure and industrialize research findings through effective documentation and collaboration with Research Ops, creating a knowledge repository for sustained product improvement.

• Act as a key facilitator between Product, Tech, and user voices, fostering a strong product culture rooted in data-driven decision-making and user empathy.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior UX Researcher ("Confirmé(e)") within UX-Republic, a specialized UX consultancy integrated into the larger Smile Group. The emphasis is on driving product transformation and accelerating the "Discovery" phase for clients, indicating a strategic and impactful position rather than purely execution-focused. The hybrid nature suggests a balance between remote flexibility and in-office collaboration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive user research, including needs gathering, in-depth interviews, and user journey mapping, to identify key pain points and opportunities.

• Design and execute hypothesis-driven experiments and user tests to validate product concepts and de-risk strategic decisions.

• Analyze a triangulation of qualitative, quantitative, and behavioral data to extract actionable insights and inform product strategy.

• Structure, document, and maintain a centralized knowledge base of research findings using tools like Dovetail, in close coordination with Research Operations.

• Coach and mentor Product Managers and cross-functional teams on best practices for continuous discovery and user-centric methodologies.

• Present research findings and strategic recommendations clearly and persuasively to stakeholders at all levels, influencing product roadmaps and strategic direction.

• Collaborate closely with Product and Tech teams to ensure research insights are effectively translated into product features and improvements.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of UX research methodologies and processes within UX-Republic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on research execution and strategic influence. The emphasis on "dérisquage produit" (product de-risking) and "industrialisation" of research through tools like Dovetail points to a need for structured, scalable research operations. The coaching aspect indicates a leadership or mentorship component within the role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in UX Research, with a strong preference for experience in complex environments such as B2B, E-commerce, platforms, or technical products.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with strong methodological rigor.

• Expertise in conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability testing.

• Skilled in user journey mapping and experience mapping to identify user pain points.

• Experience with hypothesis testing and data triangulation (qualitative, quantitative, behavioral).

• Familiarity with research documentation and knowledge management tools (e.g., Dovetail).

• Ability to coach and guide Product Managers in continuous discovery practices.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with a focus on driving business impact.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex findings to diverse audiences.

• Autonomy and a proactive, results-oriented approach. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific Research Ops frameworks and collaboration models.

• Familiarity with analytics platforms and behavioral analytics tools.

• Experience working within Agile/Scrum development environments.

• Understanding of product strategy frameworks and roadmap planning.

• Fluency in French and English, both written and spoken.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a senior-level UX Researcher who can operate independently, guide others, and directly influence strategic product decisions. The mention of "environnements complexes (B2B, E-Commerce, plateformes, produits techniques)" suggests a need for adaptability and experience with diverse user bases and product types.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 3-5 significant UX Research projects, demonstrating a clear understanding of the research process from initiation to impact.

• Each project case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, research objectives, methodologies employed (qualitative, quantitative), key findings, and the resulting product/business impact.

• Evidence of de-risking product decisions through research, supported by specific examples and metrics where possible.

• Documentation of how user insights were translated into actionable product recommendations and influenced roadmap prioritization.

• Examples of user journey maps, experience maps, or other visualization artifacts that illustrate user understanding. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of how research findings were structured, documented, and shared within a team or organization, ideally referencing tools like Dovetail or similar knowledge repositories.

• Examples of how research processes were standardized or industrialized to ensure consistency and scalability.

• Evidence of collaboration with Research Ops or similar functions to streamline research workflows.

• Case studies illustrating the application of continuous discovery principles and how user feedback loops were established.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the seniority of the role and its focus on structuring and industrializing research, the portfolio should not only showcase research execution but also the ability to manage research as a strategic function. This includes demonstrating process improvement, knowledge management, and the ability to coach others in research practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (5+ years), location (Bordeaux, France), and the specialized nature of UX Research within a consulting firm, a competitive salary range can be estimated. For a Senior UX Researcher in Bordeaux, France, the annual gross salary typically falls between €50,000 and €70,000, depending on the exact experience, skills, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance (Mutuelle d’entreprise).

• Public Transport Subsidy: 50% coverage for public transport passes (e.g., Navigo pass if applicable).

• Annual Leave: Minimum of 9 days of RTT (Réduction du Temps de Travail - Reduction of Working Time) per year.

• Vacation Bonus (Prime de vacances).

• Meal Vouchers (Tickets Restaurant) valued at €10, with 50% employer contribution.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, likely around 35-40 hours per week, with provisions for RTT to manage working time. The hybrid model allows for flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for senior UX roles in major French cities. The provided benefits are standard for French employment and reflect a professional offering. The explicit mention of RTT days is a key detail for understanding work-life balance in France.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Transformation Consulting, UX/Product Design, Technology Services. UX-Republic operates within the digital consulting space, specializing in user experience, product design, and digital transformation. Its integration into the Smile Group, a larger digital services company, provides access to a wider range of projects and expertise.

Company Size: UX-Republic, as part of Smile Group, benefits from the resources of a larger entity. Smile Group is a significant player in the digital services market in France and Europe, employing over 1,000 people. This provides a stable environment with opportunities for growth and cross-functional collaboration, while UX-Republic likely maintains a focused, expert-driven culture.

Founded: UX-Republic was founded with a clear mission to be a leader in UX and Product Design. Its integration into Smile Group occurred to amplify its reach and capabilities. This history suggests a company that values expertise, innovation, and client impact.

Team Structure:

• The UX-Republic team is composed of talented, passionate, and complementary collaborators. It emphasizes a collective approach to user experience design and digital transformation.

• The structure likely involves specialized teams for UX Research, UX Design, Product Strategy, and potentially Research Ops, working in project-based configurations.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, with close partnerships between UX researchers, designers, product managers, and technical teams at client organizations. Methodology:

• A strong focus on user-centric design principles and continuous discovery.

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, triangulating qualitative and quantitative insights.

• Commitment to quality and user experience improvement as core drivers of client performance.

• A culture of continuous improvement and shared learning among team members.

Company Website: https://jobs.smile.eu and https://www.ux-republic.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as passionate, talented, and focused on continuous improvement and user delight. The integration into Smile Group suggests a blend of an agile, expert-driven consultancy (UX-Republic) with the stability and broader reach of a larger tech group.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a "UX Researcher Confirmé(e)," indicating a senior individual contributor level. It requires significant autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor and influence. The responsibilities extend beyond execution to include process industrialization and coaching Product Managers, positioning it as a lead or expert role within the UX Research discipline.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, a Senior UX Researcher typically reports to a Head of UX, a Design Lead, or a Product Director within UX-Republic or the client organization. They would lead research initiatives for specific projects or product lines.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts client product strategy and performance by de-risking decisions, ensuring user needs are met, and accelerating the discovery process. This translates to improved product-market fit, increased user satisfaction, and ultimately, enhanced business outcomes for clients.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced quantitative analysis, generative AI in research) or industry verticals (e.g., FinTech, HealthTech).

• Leadership: Transition into a Research Lead or Manager role, overseeing a team of researchers and setting research strategy for larger accounts.

• Product Strategy: Move into a Product Owner or Product Strategy role, leveraging deep user understanding to drive product vision and roadmap.

• Consulting Excellence: Develop advanced consulting skills, client management capabilities, and contribute to UX-Republic's thought leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for a Senior UX Researcher in a consultancy like UX-Republic is typically towards leadership within the practice, deeper specialization, or leveraging user expertise to move into broader product strategy roles. The emphasis on "impact" suggests that career progression will be tied to demonstrable client success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, allowing for a mix of remote work and in-office collaboration. The office is located in Bordeaux.

Office Location(s): 43 Rue d'Armagnac, 33800 Bordeaux, France. This location is accessible within Bordeaux.

Workspace Context:

• The Bordeaux office serves as a hub for collaboration, client meetings, and team activities, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

• A hybrid setup supports flexibility, enabling researchers to conduct focused work remotely while leveraging office time for brainstorming, team alignment, and client presentations.

• Access to necessary tools and technologies for research, analysis, and communication is expected, supporting both individual productivity and team synergy.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with a standard French working week (likely 35-40 hours), complemented by RTT days for time management. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing remote and office-based days as agreed with the team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Bordeaux indicates a modern work approach, balancing flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration crucial for design thinking and client engagement in a consultancy setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• First Contact: An initial phone call to discuss aspirations, career goals, and how the role aligns with the candidate's profile. This is an opportunity for mutual discovery.

• Encounter: A more in-depth meeting (likely in-person or video) to get to know the candidate, understand their professional journey, and assess cultural fit with UX-Republic.

• Technical Discussion: A discussion with an expert from UX-Republic (e.g., a Senior UX Researcher or Design Lead) to evaluate specific UX research skills, methodological understanding, and problem-solving abilities. This may involve discussing past projects or hypothetical scenarios.

• Final Evaluation: A concluding stage to assess overall fit, discuss terms, and formally extend an offer if successful.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio with clear case studies. For each, detail the context, your specific role, the research questions, methodologies used, key findings, and the impact of your work.

• Showcase Impact: Quantify impact wherever possible. Use metrics (e.g., conversion rate improvements, reduction in support tickets, increased user satisfaction scores) to demonstrate the value of your research.

• Highlight Process: Explain your thought process. How did you choose your methodology? How did you handle challenges? How did you ensure your findings were actionable?

• Demonstrate De-risking: Specifically address how your research helped a client avoid costly mistakes or validate strategic product directions before significant investment.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with B2B, e-commerce, or complex technical product environments, as mentioned in the job description.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a typical UX research challenge, such as understanding user needs for a new feature or diagnosing issues with an existing product.

• Practice articulating your research strategy, including participant recruitment, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.

• Consider how you would present your findings and recommendations to a mixed audience of Product Managers and Engineers, focusing on clarity and actionability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only technical skills but also cultural fit and the ability to contribute to UX-Republic's collaborative and impact-driven environment. The portfolio review is critical and should highlight strategic thinking and demonstrable results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research & Analysis: Dovetail (explicitly mentioned for knowledge management), potentially alongside tools for surveys (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), user testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback), and qualitative data analysis software.

• Collaboration: Tools like Miro or Mural for collaborative whiteboarding, brainstorming, and journey mapping.

• Prototyping/Design (for context): Familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, as UX Researchers often collaborate closely with designers using these platforms.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms for quantitative user behavior analysis.

• Behavioral Analytics: Tools like Hotjar, FullStory, or Amplitude for heatmaps, session recordings, and user behavior tracking.

• Data Visualization: Proficiency with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even advanced Excel/Google Sheets for presenting data insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus for UX Research, understanding how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) or customer feedback platforms contribute to user understanding can be beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) used by client teams for tracking research tasks and recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Dovetail is a key indicator of the expected tooling for research documentation and knowledge management. The role requires a strong understanding of various data sources and analytical tools to support the triangulation of insights.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: Placing the end-user at the heart of all design and product decisions, ensuring empathy and understanding.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality research and impactful design solutions that drive client performance.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to learning, evolving methodologies, and fostering a culture of ongoing skill development.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Working effectively in cross-functional teams, sharing knowledge, and maintaining open communication.

• Impact & Results: Focusing on delivering tangible business value and measurable outcomes for clients through strategic research.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively partnering with Product Managers, Designers, Developers, and other stakeholders to ensure research is integrated into the entire product lifecycle.

• Coaching & Mentorship: Willingness to share expertise and guide colleagues, particularly Product Managers, in adopting user-centric practices.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a collective repository of insights and best practices to benefit the broader UX-Republic and client teams.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to foster professional growth and improve project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of deep expertise, collaborative spirit, and a strong drive for client success. The values are geared towards creating a high-performing, user-focused environment within a consulting context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Client Environments: Adapting research strategies to diverse organizational cultures, technical constraints, and stakeholder priorities within client organizations.

• Balancing Discovery and Delivery: Effectively managing the continuous discovery process while ensuring timely delivery of research insights that align with product roadmaps and development cycles.

• Demonstrating ROI of Research: Clearly articulating the business value and return on investment of UX research activities to stakeholders who may be less familiar with its impact.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Methodologies: Staying current with new research techniques, tools, and ethical considerations in user research.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to attend workshops, conferences, or pursue certifications in specialized UX research areas.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gaining exposure to product strategy, service design, and other related fields through project work and internal training.

• Mentorship: Receiving guidance from senior experts within UX-Republic and Smile Group.

• Thought Leadership: Contributing to articles, case studies, or presentations to build personal and company brand in the UX community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for senior consultants in a dynamic field, requiring adaptability, strong communication, and a continuous learning mindset. The growth opportunities are structured to enhance both technical expertise and consulting acumen.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to de-risk a significant product decision through research. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, data triangulation, and impact.)

• "How would you structure a continuous discovery process for a product team that is currently focused primarily on delivery?" (Highlight coaching, iterative research, and integrating insights into sprints.)

• "Imagine you've identified a critical user pain point. How would you present this to a skeptical product manager and convince them to prioritize it?" (Emphasize data storytelling, impact, and collaborative problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about UX-Republic and our approach to UX and product transformation?" (Research their website, case studies, and values.)

• "How do you approach collaboration within a hybrid work environment, especially when working with client teams?" (Discuss communication tools, meeting etiquette, and proactive engagement.)

• "How do you measure the success and impact of your UX research initiatives?" (Focus on metrics, client feedback, and business outcomes.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative: the challenge, your journey, the discoveries, and the resolution.

• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals (e.g., journey maps, key quotes, screenshots) to illustrate your points. Avoid text-heavy slides.

• Quantify: Wherever possible, use numbers to demonstrate the impact of your research on user behavior or business metrics.

• Actionability: Clearly articulate the actionable recommendations derived from your research and how they were implemented.

• Your Role: Be clear about your specific contributions within team projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just research skills but also strategic thinking, coaching ability, and the capacity to drive tangible results for clients within a consulting framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Smile Group careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-4 of your most impactful UX Research projects that align with the job description's emphasis on complex environments (B2B, e-commerce, technical products) and strategic influence. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, methodologies, key findings, and measurable impact.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 5+ years of experience in UX Research, specifically mentioning experience with continuous discovery, de-risking product decisions, and working in complex environments. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX Research," "User Journey Mapping," "Qualitative/Quantitative Analysis," and "Dovetail."

• Prepare for Interview Questions: Practice articulating your research process, how you collaborate with product and tech teams, and how you measure research impact. Be ready to discuss your experience coaching Product Managers and industrializing research.

• Research UX-Republic and Smile Group: Understand their mission, values, client portfolio, and recent work. Prepare thoughtful questions about their culture, methodologies, and the specific challenges of the role.

⚠️ 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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