UX Researcher and Service Designer - A26178

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher and Service Designer (A26178)

Company: Activate Interactive Pte Ltd

Location: Singapore, Singapore

Job Type: Full-Time, 1-Year Contract

Category: User Experience (UX) / Service Design

Date Posted: June 1, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead qualitative research initiatives and service design workshops to uncover critical operational insights and user pain points.

• Design and execute comprehensive user research methodologies, including stakeholder interviews, observational studies, and ethnographic research.

• Develop detailed user journeys, service blueprints, and user architectures to map current-state experiences and future-state opportunities for product transformation.

• Facilitate engaging workshops with diverse stakeholder groups to foster co-creation of solutions and drive comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies.

• Apply AI-driven research and design/prototyping skills to enhance the research and design process for large-scale enterprise and B2B products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a 1-year contract within the Co-Development Business Unit, focusing on transforming existing products into a new user architecture. The emphasis on "operational insights" and "process re-engineering" suggests a strong link to how users interact with systems and services, aligning with GTM and Ops principles. The requirement for AI-driven research also indicates a forward-thinking approach to user understanding.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and conduct comprehensive qualitative research, including stakeholder interviews, observational studies, and ethnographic research.

• Transform user input and observational data into actionable insights and thematic recommendations for process re-engineering.

• Frame the user architecture of new products emerging from the transformation of several existing products.

• Develop detailed user journeys and service blueprints that illuminate current-state experiences and future-state opportunities.

• Plan and facilitate engaging service design workshops with diverse internal and external stakeholder groups.

• Drive a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy across multiple business units and organizational levels.

• Create collaborative environments that encourage open dialogue and co-creation of solutions.

• Apply AI-driven research and design/prototyping skills to enhance user engagement and product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a hands-on role in both research and design, with a significant emphasis on translating findings into actionable recommendations for process improvement and product architecture. The focus on stakeholder engagement across multiple business units is crucial for a role that bridges user needs with business objectives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field is typically expected for UX Researcher and Service Designer roles.

Experience: At least 4 years of hands-on experience in service design, UX research, or related user-centred design disciplines.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in service design methodologies and human-centred design principles.

• Proven experience in designing and conducting qualitative research (stakeholder interviews, observational studies, ethnographic research).

• Demonstrated ability to transform research findings into actionable insights and thematic recommendations.

• Experience in developing user journeys, service blueprints, and framing user architecture.

• Exceptional workshop facilitation skills with the ability to guide diverse groups through structured problem-solving processes.

• Strong empathy and emotional intelligence to understand and advocate for user needs.

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills for sharing insights with senior stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience navigating complex stakeholder environments and managing competing priorities.

• AI-driven research and design/prototyping skills and experience.

• Experience in process re-engineering and optimizing operational workflows through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "at least 4 years" suggests a mid-level to senior individual contributor role. The emphasis on B2B and enterprise products indicates the need for understanding complex business environments and user needs within such contexts. The preference for AI-driven research skills points towards a desire for candidates who are leveraging cutting-edge tools and techniques.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end service design and UX research projects.

• Each case study should clearly articulate the problem statement, research methodology, user insights, design process, and measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight projects specifically involving enterprise or B2B products/services to demonstrate relevant experience.

• Include examples of user journeys, service blueprints, and user architectures developed.

• Demonstrate proficiency in translating research findings into actionable recommendations and process improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of structured research planning and execution, including research protocols and data synthesis methods.

• Examples of detailed service blueprints and user journey maps illustrating current and future states.

• Documentation of workshop outputs, decision-making processes, and co-created solutions.

• Case studies should illustrate how research and design directly informed process re-engineering or product transformation.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, as it directly validates the candidate's ability to execute the core responsibilities. The emphasis should be on demonstrating a structured, user-centred approach that leads to tangible business improvements and well-defined product architectures, particularly within complex B2B environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the mid-level experience requirement (4+ years), the contract nature, and the Singapore location, a competitive salary range is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for UX Researchers and Service Designers in Singapore, the estimated range for a 1-year contract role would be approximately SGD 6,000 - SGD 9,000 per month, depending on the depth of experience and specific skill set.

Benefits:

• Outpatient medical coverage

• Specialist medical coverage

• Generous customizable flexi benefits or flexi allowance

• Life insurance

• Health insurance

• Special occasions "red packet" and CNY goodies

• Employee wellness initiatives

• Learning programmes and certification support

• Dedicated staff development budget

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week, aligning with full-time employment. However, the company offers "Flexible Work Arrangement" including flexi-place, flexi-time, and flexi-load, suggesting adaptability around core working hours and location for contract employees.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on average market rates for comparable roles in Singapore for contract positions requiring 4+ years of specialized experience. The comprehensive benefits package, including flexi-options, indicates a commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which is attractive to experienced professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consultancy, specializing in application development (mobile, web), cloud technology, and digital transformation.

Company Size: Activate Interactive Pte Ltd is a mid-sized company, with its headquarters in Singapore and presence in Malaysia and Indonesia. This suggests a dynamic environment with opportunities for cross-border collaboration and exposure to various markets.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's established presence and client base indicate a stable and growing organization.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "Co-Development Business Unit," suggesting a focus on building and enhancing products and services.

• The UX Researcher and Service Designer will likely work within a product development or design team, collaborating closely with product managers, developers, and other designers.

• Given the company's consultancy nature, there may also be client-facing interactions and collaborations with project teams serving external clients.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on uncovering operational insights and user needs through research to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development: Likely to follow agile methodologies for product development and iterative design processes.

• User-Centred Approach: Core to the role, ensuring that user needs and pain points are central to all design and development efforts.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Encouragement of open dialogue and co-creation through workshops and team interactions.

Company Website: www.activate.sg

📝 Enhancement Note: The company positions itself as a technology consultancy focused on impactful end-to-end application development. The emphasis on "positively impacting the lives of people" and "driving innovation" suggests a culture that values both social good and technological advancement. The "SHRI 2025 Gold winner" award for Learning & Development highlights a strong commitment to employee growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Mid-Level UX Researcher and Service Designer, with a clear expectation of 4+ years of hands-on experience. It involves significant autonomy in leading research and design initiatives, but likely reports to a Design Lead, Head of Product, or Business Unit Manager. The focus is on executing complex design projects and contributing to strategic product transformation.

Reporting Structure: The role is within the Co-Development Business Unit. The exact reporting structure would be to a senior member within this unit, such as a Design Lead, Senior Product Manager, or Unit Head responsible for product development and client solutions.

Operations Impact: UX Researchers and Service Designers have a direct impact on the usability, efficiency, and adoption of products and services. By identifying user pain points and unmet needs, they influence product strategy, feature development, and process optimization. This role's impact extends to improving both internal operational efficiency (through better internal tools/processes) and external client satisfaction (through enhanced product experiences). The emphasis on "process re-engineering" and "user architecture" highlights a strategic impact on how services are delivered and experienced.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced UX research techniques, service design methodologies, and AI-driven design tools.

• Leadership Track: Progress into a Senior UX Researcher/Service Designer role, leading larger projects, mentoring junior designers, and influencing design strategy.

• Cross-Functional Roles: Transition into Product Management, Design Strategy, or even specialized roles within GTM operations that leverage design thinking and user insights.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience across diverse industries through consultancy projects, potentially leading to specialization in specific sectors.

• Learning & Development: Benefit from the company's strong emphasis on learning, including certification support and a dedicated development budget, allowing for continuous skill enhancement in areas like AI, service design, and user research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly mentions structured career pathways, including a technical/domain expert track and a leadership track. This, combined with the "SHRI 2025 Gold winner" award for Learning & Development, signals a robust framework for employee growth and skill development, making this a potentially valuable role for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Activate Interactive Pte Ltd operates in a technology consultancy environment. The workspace is likely modern and designed to foster collaboration and innovation, supporting both focused work and team-based activities. Given the "Hybrid" work arrangement, employees will have a mix of office-based and remote work.

Office Location(s): The primary office is in Singapore, with a presence in Malaysia and Indonesia. The Singapore office is likely well-equipped with collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, and individual workstations conducive to design and research work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Access to meeting rooms and open areas for workshops, brainstorming sessions, and team discussions.

• Technology & Tools: Provision of necessary hardware and software for design, research, and communication. The emphasis on AI-driven research suggests access to relevant tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and fellow designers, fostering a shared understanding of project goals and user needs.

• Hybrid Flexibility: The ability to work remotely and from the office provides flexibility, allowing individuals to optimize their work environment based on task requirements.

Work Schedule: The company offers "Flexible Work Arrangement" (flexi-place, flexi-time, flexi-load). While a standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles, this flexibility allows individuals to manage their schedules to accommodate research needs, workshops, and personal commitments, provided project deadlines and team collaboration requirements are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and flexible work arrangements are significant draws, offering a good balance between in-person collaboration and personal flexibility. This is particularly beneficial for roles that require deep focus for research and creative work, while also needing in-person interaction for workshops and team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios, likely focusing on demonstrated experience in service design, UX research, and portfolio quality.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect in-depth discussions about your experience, methodologies, and problem-solving approaches. This will likely involve presenting and discussing specific case studies from your portfolio.

• Workshop/Design Challenge: You might be asked to complete a take-home exercise or participate in a live simulated workshop to assess your facilitation, research, and design skills. This could involve analyzing a problem, proposing research methods, or sketching out a service blueprint.

• Stakeholder/Team Interviews: Interviews with potential team members and stakeholders (e.g., product managers, senior developers) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to communicate complex ideas.

• Final Interview: A discussion with a senior leader to finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Focus on how your work solved problems, improved user experiences, and delivered business value. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., "reduced user error rate by X%," "increased task completion time by Y%").

• Detail Your Process: Clearly explain your thought process, research methodologies, design decisions, and iterations. Use visuals like user journeys, service blueprints, and wireframes to illustrate your work.

• Highlight B2B/Enterprise Experience: If you have relevant experience with large-scale or B2B products, make sure to emphasize it in your case studies.

• Demonstrate Facilitation Skills: Include examples or descriptions of how you've led workshops and engaged stakeholders effectively.

• AI & Future Focus: If you have AI-driven research or prototyping examples, highlight them as per the job description's preference.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates your value proposition.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Company: Research Activate Interactive, their services, and their client portfolio to understand their business context and operational challenges.

• Service Design Frameworks: Refresh your knowledge of core service design principles, methodologies (e.g., Double Diamond, Design Thinking), and tools (e.g., journey mapping, blueprinting).

• Qualitative Research Techniques: Be prepared to discuss various qualitative methods and when to apply them.

• AI in Design: Familiarize yourself with current trends and tools in AI-driven research and design.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare to discuss how you manage diverse stakeholder needs and communicate effectively with different levels of an organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio, AI-driven research, and stakeholder engagement suggests that the interview process will be rigorous and focused on practical application of skills. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their process and demonstrate tangible impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure RP (for detailed prototyping).

• Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey (for surveys and feedback collection).

• Collaboration & Whiteboarding: Miro, Mural, Confluence, Jira (for workshop facilitation, documentation, and project tracking).

• AI-Driven Tools: Candidates with experience in AI-powered research analytics tools, generative design tools, or AI-assisted prototyping platforms will be highly valued.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar B2B product analytics tools is beneficial for understanding user behaviour data.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools integrate with user experience and customer journeys can provide valuable context for B2B product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of "AI driven research and design/prototyping skills" is a key differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to discuss any tools or platforms they've used in this domain, even if it's experimental or emerging technology. Familiarity with common enterprise design and collaboration tools is also expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A focus on creating technology that positively impacts people's lives and business efficiency.

• Innovation: Encouraging continuous innovation and the exploration of new technologies, including AI.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where open dialogue and co-creation are paramount.

• Growth & Development: A commitment to employee learning, skill enhancement, and career progression.

• User-Centricity: Placing the needs and experiences of users at the forefront of all design and development efforts.

• Quality & Efficiency: Delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions that drive business efficiency for clients.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with product managers, developers, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment between user needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.

• Workshop-Centric: A strong reliance on facilitated workshops for idea generation, problem-solving, and consensus building.

• Feedback-Oriented: An open culture where constructive feedback is encouraged and utilized for continuous improvement in design and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, learnings, and insights across teams to foster collective growth and expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company emphasizes its commitment to positively impacting lives through technology and fostering employee potential. The "SHRI 2025 Gold winner" award for Learning & Development strongly reinforces the value placed on employee growth and continuous improvement, which is a key cultural indicator for talent attraction.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Environments: Managing diverse, and potentially competing, priorities from multiple business units and senior stakeholders.

• Transforming Existing Products: Redesigning or creating new user architectures from the integration of several existing products, requiring a deep understanding of legacy systems and user habits.

• AI Integration: Staying abreast of and effectively integrating rapidly evolving AI technologies into research and design workflows.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Constraints: Ensuring that user-centric designs are also feasible, cost-effective, and align with business objectives in a consultancy setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research & Design Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized UX research methods and advanced service design frameworks.

• AI in UX/Service Design: Gaining hands-on experience with AI tools for research synthesis, content generation, and prototyping.

• Consultancy Skills: Developing strong client management, project delivery, and business development skills through project work.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers and consultants within the organization, potentially through formal mentorship programs.

• Industry Certifications: Support for obtaining relevant certifications in UX, Service Design, or related fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior-level role in a consultancy environment, particularly one involving product transformation and the adoption of new technologies like AI. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with addressing these challenges and advancing one's career in the UX and Service Design domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to conduct user research in a complex B2B or enterprise environment with multiple stakeholders. How did you manage competing priorities and synthesize diverse feedback?" (Focus on stakeholder management, research rigor, and prioritization)

• "Walk us through a service blueprint or user journey you've created for a complex service. What were the key insights, and how did they lead to process re-engineering or product improvements?" (Focus on design deliverables, insight generation, and impact)

• "How would you approach framing the user architecture for a new product that consolidates several existing applications? What research methods would you employ?" (Focus on strategic thinking, user architecture principles, and research planning)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Activate Interactive, and what specifically about this UX Researcher and Service Designer role appeals to you?" (Research company values, mission, and connect to your aspirations)

• "How do you ensure your design decisions are user-centric while also meeting business objectives and technical constraints?" (Demonstrate a balanced approach)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role and process, the solution, and the impact. Use a story-telling approach.

• Visual Aids are Key: Utilize high-quality visuals of your design artifacts (journeys, blueprints, wireframes). Annotate them to explain your decisions.

• Focus on "Why": Explain the rationale behind your design choices and research methods. Why did you choose a particular approach? What assumptions did you make?

• Quantify Impact: Present measurable outcomes whenever possible. If direct metrics are unavailable, discuss the anticipated impact or qualitative feedback received.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges faced, and alternative solutions considered. Be honest and reflective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to assess not only technical skills but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Candidates should prepare to discuss their experience with B2B/enterprise contexts, AI, and stakeholder management, backing up their responses with specific examples from their portfolio.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher and Service Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your most relevant experience, focusing on service design, UX research, B2B/enterprise products, AI-driven design, and workshop facilitation. Ensure your portfolio case studies clearly demonstrate your process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Use keywords from the job description (e.g., "service design," "UX research," "qualitative research," "stakeholder interviews," "AI-driven research," "user journeys," "service blueprints") to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly and clearly communicates your qualifications.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and case studies concisely and compellingly. Be ready to discuss your process, insights, and the impact of your work during interviews.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Activate Interactive Pte Ltd, their services, their mission, and their values. Understand their client base and the types of projects they undertake to better tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.