UX / Product Research & Strategy Lead (VP)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX / Product Research & Strategy Lead (VP)

Company: Citi

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) / Product Strategy Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-03

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (up to 2 days working from home per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic vision and user experience (UX) north star for internal Human Resources applications and systems, focusing on creating intuitive and seamless employee experiences.

• Lead and own a comprehensive research program that underpins product vision, translating user insights, market intelligence, and business goals into actionable experience strategy.

• Collaborate directly with senior stakeholders, product managers, and engineers to ensure research and strategy are deeply embedded in product decision-making processes.

• Facilitate workshops and strategy sessions to build consensus around user-centered outcomes and articulate evidence-based visions for product evolution.

• Mentor and guide junior user researchers and designers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and best practice adherence within the UX team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on the strategic application of UX research principles within an enterprise context, specifically for internal HR tools. The "VP" title indicates a senior leadership position with significant influence on product direction and team development, requiring a blend of deep research expertise and strategic business acumen. The emphasis on internal HR tools suggests a focus on employee experience (EX) as a key driver of productivity and engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the experience "north star" for HR applications by articulating a clear, evidence-based vision in collaboration with product, design, and business leadership.

• Develop and lead the overall experience strategy, translating research insights, market intelligence, and business objectives into actionable strategic direction that guides product roadmaps and design priorities.

• Drive senior stakeholder alignment around the experience vision through facilitation of workshops and strategy sessions, fostering consensus on user-centered outcomes.

• Establish and lead a continuous program of research and strategic discovery to inform and challenge the north star, ensuring it remains grounded in real user needs and evolving business context.

• Conduct a wide variety of research methodologies, including user interviews, co-creation sessions, journey mapping, usability testing, concept testing, and surveys, ensuring actionable results are delivered and communicated.

• Design and execute research studies adhering to best practices and robust methodologies, ensuring the validity and reliability of findings.

• Present and communicate research results and strategic recommendations effectively to stakeholder teams and the broader organization.

• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing of research findings and insights across cross-functional teams and departments.

• Provide guidance and ensure methodological rigor for research activities, promoting best practices across the UX function.

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and relevant metrics for benchmarking and measuring the success and effectiveness of user journeys.

• Integrate qualitative research insights with quantitative data to develop a deep understanding of employee journeys and inform data-driven prioritization of product initiatives.

• Apply innovative approaches and creative thinking to scope primary research, particularly with challenging-to-recruit user populations.

• Understand existing and planned Citi infrastructure and projects to develop solutions that can be implemented in a timely manner for measurable impact.

• Mentor and develop user researchers and designers, scaling research capabilities within the organization.

• Collaborate with research and design leadership to identify and implement new tools and process improvements that enhance alignment with design systems and operational efficiency.

• Maintain a positive and constructive attitude when receiving and providing feedback, contributing to a healthy team dynamic.

• Work closely with UX Designers to ensure they receive comprehensive details necessary for developing detailed UX designs.

• Stay current with the latest UX practices, innovations, and tools through continuous learning and professional development.

• Support new UX starters within the team, facilitating their onboarding and integration into the team's workflow.

• Actively participate in the wider UX community of practice, contributing to knowledge exchange and professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic, end-to-end ownership of the user experience strategy for HR products. This includes not only research execution but also translating those findings into strategic direction, gaining stakeholder buy-in, and mentoring junior team members. The emphasis on internal HR tools and employee experience is a critical differentiator.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s/University degree required.

• Master’s degree preferred.

• At least one formal UX Qualification is desirable. Experience:

• Significant relevant UX Research experience is mandatory.

• Demonstrable experience in a strategic or research leadership capacity is essential.

• Extensive hands-on experience leading qualitative and quantitative UX research in a product design environment across all Design Thinking stages.

• Proven track record of translating research findings into strategic recommendations that have directly influenced product direction, roadmaps, or the overall "north star" vision.

• Experience facilitating senior stakeholder workshops and strategy sessions to build alignment around experience direction.

• Ability to lead UX Research workshops effectively, both in-person and remotely.

• Creative problem-solver comfortable dealing with uncertainty and ambiguity at a strategic level.

• Self-starter with the ability to define goals, strategies, and research programs with minimal direct supervision.

• Ability to combine strategic thinking with pragmatism without compromising quality.

• Proactive and positive attitude, with strong attention to detail and analytical skills.

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, including confident presentation to senior leadership.

• Significant experience working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, product managers, and engineers. Required Skills:

• UX Research (Qualitative & Quantitative)

• Product Strategy Development

• Design Thinking Methodologies

• Stakeholder Management & Alignment

• User Interviews & Co-creation

• Journey Mapping & Analysis

• Usability & Concept Testing

• Strategic Planning & Vision Setting

• Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Mentoring & Team Development Preferred Skills:

• Experience in e-commerce/Internet/mobile space.

• Experience with Agile methodology.

• Financial services industry and commercial banking experience.

• Experience with Service Design, Systems Thinking, or Experience Strategy frameworks.

• Master's degree in a relevant field.

• Familiarity with research tools such as UserZoom, UserTesting.com, Dovetail, EnjoyHQ, Qualtrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a senior-level UX professional with a strong strategic bent. The requirement for significant leadership experience and a proven ability to influence product direction through research is key. The mention of specific tools like UserZoom and Dovetail indicates the expected technical proficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 complex projects where you led the research and strategy for a product or feature, ideally within an enterprise or internal tool context.

• Clearly articulate your role in defining the "north star" or strategic vision for the experience.

• Demonstrate how you translated research insights into actionable product roadmap recommendations or strategic direction.

• Provide evidence of successful stakeholder engagement and alignment achieved through your research and strategic work.

• Highlight your ability to integrate qualitative and quantitative data to inform strategic decisions. Process Documentation:

• For each project, include a section detailing your research process, from problem definition and planning to execution and synthesis.

• Showcase how you designed and managed a research program, including any iterative loops or strategic discovery phases.

• Illustrate how you documented and communicated research findings and strategic recommendations to various audiences, including senior leadership.

• If applicable, include examples of how you defined and tracked metrics to measure the impact of the user experience improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this level, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to go beyond just showcasing research studies to demonstrating strategic thinking, leadership in defining vision, and the ability to influence product direction. The focus should be on end-to-end strategy development and execution, supported by robust research.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a VP-level UX Research & Strategy Lead in the United Kingdom, the estimated annual base salary range is £90,000 - £130,000. This range accounts for the significant experience required, leadership responsibilities, and the strategic impact of the role. Factors influencing the specific offer will include the candidate's precise experience, qualifications, and performance during the interview process. Benefits:

• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) for work-life balance.

• A discretionary annual performance-related bonus, rewarding individual and company success.

• Comprehensive Private Medical Care for employee and potentially dependents.

• Life Insurance policy providing financial security for beneficiaries.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential support services.

• Generous Pension Plan to support long-term financial planning.

• Paid Parental Leave to support new parents during a significant life event.

• Special discounts for employees, family, and friends, offering value beyond the workplace.

• Access to an extensive array of learning and development resources to support career growth. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, likely around 40 hours per week. The role offers a hybrid working model, allowing up to 2 days of working from home per week, providing flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on market data for senior UX leadership roles in the UK. The specific benefits listed are directly from the job description and are standard for a large financial institution like Citi. The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Banking) - Citi operates within a highly regulated and dynamic global financial services sector. This context requires a strong emphasis on security, compliance, data integrity, and robust processes, which will influence UX design and research approaches, particularly for internal tools.

Company Size: Citi is a global financial institution with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This large scale means the UX team likely operates within a complex organizational structure, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills to navigate and influence effectively.

Founded: Citi's history dates back to 1812, signifying a long-standing presence and deep expertise in the financial industry. This legacy suggests a culture that values stability and tradition, but also one that is undergoing significant digital transformation to remain competitive.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely part of a larger Digital Design Engineering or Technology function, focusing on enhancing employee experiences through HR applications.

• The reporting structure will place this VP-level role in a leadership position, potentially overseeing a sub-team of researchers and designers, reporting to a Director or Head of UX/Product.

• Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, involving close partnerships with HR business leaders, product managers, engineering teams, and potentially other internal UX/design groups across Citi. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights will be critical, combining qualitative UX research with quantitative HR and system data to inform strategic decisions.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies will be employed to streamline internal processes and improve employee productivity through better tool design.

• Automation and efficiency practices are expected, especially within HR functions, aiming to reduce manual effort and enhance user satisfaction.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Citi's position as a global financial institution is key. The emphasis on internal HR tools means the UX strategy will directly impact employee productivity, engagement, and overall operational efficiency within the company. The hybrid model and culture of continuous improvement are also important aspects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a VP-level position, signifying a senior leadership role within the UX and Product Strategy domain. It requires a deep level of expertise in UX research methodologies, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence at an executive level. The scope of responsibility extends beyond individual projects to shaping the overarching experience strategy for a critical business function (HR).

Reporting Structure: The VP will likely report to a Director or Senior Vice President overseeing UX, Product Design, or Digital Transformation for internal platforms. They will be responsible for leading and mentoring a team of UX Researchers and potentially UX Designers, working closely with Product Management and HR leadership.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, directly influencing how thousands of Citi employees interact with essential HR systems daily. By improving these experiences, the role contributes to increased employee productivity, better engagement, reduced friction in HR processes (onboarding, performance management, benefits), and ultimately, a more efficient and effective global workforce.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas like service design, systems thinking, or experience strategy frameworks, potentially leading to more specialized roles or broader strategic oversight.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into higher leadership positions within Citi's global UX or digital transformation functions, managing larger teams and broader portfolios.

• Industry Influence: Opportunities to contribute to the broader UX community within financial services, sharing best practices and shaping the future of employee experience in enterprise environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "VP" title indicates a strategic leadership role with significant potential for career advancement within Citi's extensive global organization, particularly in areas of digital transformation and employee experience.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a hybrid working model. This means a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work, suggesting a modern approach to workplace flexibility. The office environment will likely be professional and corporate, as expected from a major financial institution like Citi.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is specified as 60 Sydenham Road, Titanic Quarter, Gateway Offices, Belfast, United Kingdom. This suggests a modern business district location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages in-office days for team meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions, fostering collaboration with designers, researchers, product managers, and HR stakeholders.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to Citi's standard IT infrastructure, including necessary software and hardware for research, design, and communication. This likely includes access to enterprise-grade collaboration tools and potentially specialized UX research platforms.

• Team Interaction: While remote work is supported, in-office days are designed for meaningful interaction, team building, and direct engagement with colleagues to drive projects forward.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with flexibility offered through the hybrid working arrangement (up to 2 days remote per week). This schedule allows for dedicated time for focused research and strategic work, balanced with collaborative team activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid working model is a key aspect of the work environment, balancing the need for in-person collaboration with the benefits of remote flexibility. The specific Belfast location points to a dedicated operational hub for Citi.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a brief call with an HR representative or recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Director or Senior VP) to evaluate your strategic thinking, leadership experience, and specific UX research and strategy expertise. Be prepared to discuss your approach to defining an "experience north star."

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A core part of the process will be presenting your portfolio, focusing on 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your ability to lead research, develop strategy, and influence product direction. Expect to walk through your process, research findings, strategic recommendations, and the impact of your work.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with potential peers (other UX leads, senior designers) and key stakeholders (Product Managers, HR leaders) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to build consensus.

• Final Round: Potentially a final interview with a senior executive to confirm strategic alignment and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects not just as research studies, but as strategic initiatives that solved business problems and improved employee experiences.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced error rates, increased adoption, positive feedback trends) to demonstrate the tangible impact of your work.

• Focus on "Why" and "So What": Clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your research approach, the insights you uncovered, the strategic decisions you influenced, and the outcomes.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight instances where you led teams, facilitated senior stakeholder workshops, and drove consensus.

• Tailor to Citi: Research Citi's HR systems and employee experience initiatives to tailor your presentation and highlight relevant experience.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for scenario-based questions asking how you would approach a specific strategic challenge within Citi's HR ecosystem.

• Practice articulating your research methodology and strategic decision-making process clearly and concisely.

• Prepare to discuss how you would measure the success of an employee experience strategy and its impact on business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily emphasize strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to demonstrate tangible impact through a well-curated portfolio. Candidates should be ready to present their strategic vision development process and its outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: UserZoom, UserTesting.com (for remote usability and concept testing), Dovetail, EnjoyHQ (for research repository management and synthesis).

• Survey Tools: Qualtrics (likely for more complex survey design and analysis).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Tools like Miro or Mural for remote workshops and strategy sessions; standard enterprise collaboration suites (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Analytics Tools: Citi will have proprietary internal tools for tracking system usage, user behavior within HR applications, and performance metrics.

• Data Visualization Tools: Potentially Tableau or Power BI for creating dashboards to communicate research insights and track journey performance.

• Spreadsheet Software: Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis and reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how HR systems integrate and function is key. This could involve familiarity with HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors) and their underlying data structures.

• Automation tools might be relevant for streamlining research workflows or data analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with established UX research and synthesis tools is expected. Familiarity with enterprise-level collaboration and analytics platforms is also a strong advantage, reflecting the operational environment of a large financial institution.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the employee user, ensuring their needs are at the forefront of all product and strategy decisions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasizing the use of both qualitative research insights and quantitative data to inform strategy, prioritize initiatives, and measure impact.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships across product, design, engineering, and business stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset of constantly seeking to optimize processes, tools, and experiences to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative thinking and the adoption of new methodologies and technologies to solve complex problems and elevate the employee experience.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactively engaging with various departments to understand their needs, gather input, and ensure UX strategy aligns with broader business objectives.

• Process Review & Feedback: Cultivating an environment where processes are regularly reviewed, and constructive feedback is exchanged to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in communities of practice, sharing learnings, and mentoring colleagues to elevate the overall UX capability within Citi.

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's culture, as suggested by its industry and size, likely values rigor, collaboration, and a data-informed approach. The emphasis on employee experience within HR tools points to a culture that aims to improve internal operations and employee satisfaction.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Enterprise Complexity: Working within a large, established organization like Citi can present challenges in terms of bureaucracy, legacy systems, and diverse stakeholder needs. This role requires strong influence and change management skills.

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: Ensuring that high-level strategic direction translates into tangible, implementable product improvements within realistic timelines and resource constraints.

• Driving Adoption of New Methodologies: Introducing and embedding advanced UX research and strategy practices within a potentially traditional corporate environment.

• Measuring Impact of Internal Tools: Quantifying the ROI of UX improvements for internal HR tools can be complex, requiring creative approaches to metrics and data collection.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in service design, experience strategy frameworks, and advanced qualitative/quantitative research techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, and training focused on employee experience, HR technology, and digital transformation in financial services.

• Leadership Development: Access to Citi's leadership development programs, mentorship opportunities, and potential to grow into larger strategic or managerial roles within UX or digital strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in a large enterprise like Citi will require strong strategic leadership and adaptability. The growth opportunities are significant, offering paths for both deep specialization and broad leadership within the UX and digital transformation space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you defined an 'experience north star' for a product. What was your process, what were the key insights, and how did you gain stakeholder alignment?"

• "How do you translate complex user needs and market data into a clear, actionable product strategy? Provide an example."

• "Imagine you need to research a critical but hard-to-reach user group for a new HR system feature. How would you approach this research challenge?"

• "Discuss your approach to measuring the success of UX initiatives, particularly for internal productivity tools. What metrics would you focus on and why?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in improving employee experiences specifically within the financial services industry at Citi?"

• "How would you foster collaboration and build consensus among diverse senior stakeholders (e.g., HR, IT, Product) for your UX strategy?"

• "Describe your experience mentoring other researchers or designers. What is your philosophy on developing UX talent?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX research trends and tools, and how do you advocate for their adoption?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an executive summary of your strategic approach and impact. Then, deep dive into 2-3 projects, clearly outlining the business problem, your role, the research methodology, key insights, the strategic recommendations you made, and the measurable outcomes.

• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals. For research, show journey maps, personas, or key findings summaries. For strategy, use roadmaps or vision statements.

• Storytelling: Weave a narrative that highlights your leadership, problem-solving abilities, and ability to drive impactful change through user-centered strategy.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your process, decisions, and the challenges you faced in each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, deep research expertise, and the ability to translate insights into tangible business value within an enterprise context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position