UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher

Company: AJ Bell

Location: Manchester - Hybrid, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: User Experience Research / Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-08-24

Experience Level: Midweight (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead end-to-end generative and tactical discovery research initiatives to drive product strategy and inform critical business decisions within a FTSE 250 financial services organization.

• Collaborate closely with UX Designers, Product Managers, and cross-functional teams to translate complex user needs and behaviors into actionable insights that shape product direction.

• Apply a diverse range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to uncover user pain points, validate hypotheses, and provide strong evidence for decision-making.

• Contribute to the maturation of a newly established centralized UX Research function, helping to define best practices, refine research operations, and select appropriate tooling.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "midweight" UX Researcher, indicating a need for someone who can operate independently on research projects while also contributing to the foundational development of a new research capability. The emphasis on "building a centralized UX Research capability" suggests a strategic opportunity to influence how research is integrated and scaled within the organization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently plan, execute, and synthesize generative and tactical discovery research studies from problem framing through to actionable recommendations.

• Select and confidently apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods, including moderated/unmoderated studies, surveys, and in-person observation, to meet specific research goals.

• Partner closely with UX Designers to support early-stage exploration, user testing, and iterative refinement of product ideas.

• Synthesize complex research findings into clear, concise, and compelling insights, tailored for immediate use by product and design teams.

• Effectively present research outputs and strategic recommendations to diverse stakeholder groups, including senior leadership, to drive informed decision-making and build shared confidence.

• Act as a champion for user-centered design principles, advocating for user needs and challenging assumptions constructively with robust evidence.

• Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of research practices, methodologies, and tooling within the growing central UX Research team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of independent execution and collaborative influence. The expectation to "lead meaningful research that shapes product direction" and "provide strong evidence to support decision-making" highlights the strategic impact expected from this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or a related field is often beneficial for foundational understanding.

Experience: Proven experience working as a UX Researcher, with a track record of independently leading and delivering impactful research studies. Experience in an agile or iterative product development environment is essential.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in planning and executing end-to-end UX research projects.

• Strong command of qualitative research methodologies (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiry).

• Experience applying quantitative research methods (e.g., surveys, analytics review) where appropriate to complement qualitative findings.

• Ability to confidently select and justify the use of specific research methods based on project goals and constraints.

• Proven ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable insights and compelling narratives.

• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to tailor findings to various audiences.

• Experience collaborating effectively with UX Designers, Product Managers, and engineers in a cross-functional team setting.

• Comfort and confidence in presenting research findings and recommendations to stakeholders at different levels. Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting research within regulated environments, particularly financial services or investment platforms.

• Familiarity with user research in the context of financial advisory services.

• Experience with a variety of research tools for surveys, usability testing, and data analysis.

• Ability to contribute to the development and implementation of research operations and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize independence and methodological confidence ("comfortable making methodological decisions and explaining why"). The preference for regulated environment experience is noted, but the role is open to candidates without it, suggesting a strong focus on core research skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct research projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership, from initial problem definition to actionable recommendations.

• For each project, clearly articulate the research objectives, the methods chosen and why, the research process followed, key findings, and the impact of the research on product decisions or outcomes.

• Highlight instances where research directly influenced product strategy, design iterations, or business objectives, ideally with measurable results.

• Demonstrate experience in synthesizing both qualitative and quantitative data, showcasing how mixed-methods approaches were utilized.

• Include examples of how research insights were effectively communicated to diverse stakeholders, such as presentations, reports, or workshops. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of designing and documenting research plans, including defining scope, methodology, participant criteria, and timelines.

• Examples of how research findings were translated into actionable recommendations or artifacts that guided product development.

• Demonstrations of contributing to or defining research best practices, workflows, or standardized processes within a team or organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio requirement," the description implies that candidates should be prepared to discuss their research process, decision-making, and impact. A portfolio demonstrating these capabilities is crucial for a midweight researcher role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for midweight UX Researchers in Manchester, UK, with 2-5 years of experience, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between £45,000 and £60,000 per annum. This estimate considers the company's FTSE 250 status, the hybrid work model, and the specific responsibilities outlined.

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday, increasing with service + buy/sell scheme + bank holidays

• 6% Pension with matched contributions

• Share schemes (including free shares and BAYE)

• Health Cash Plan and discounted private healthcare

• Free onsite gym

• Enhanced family leave (subject to qualifying criteria)

• Travel and bike loan schemes

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Regular social events

• Learning and development opportunities

• Casual dress code

• Friendly, supportive team environment

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring a minimum of 50% of working time spent in the office per month, with an initial period of full-time office working for new starters.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on current market data for UX Researchers in the UK, specifically Manchester, for a midweight level. The provided benefits are comprehensive and typical for a large, established financial services firm.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (Investment Platforms)

Company Size: Large (AJ Bell is a FTSE 250 company, indicating significant scale and market presence).

Founded: AJ Bell was founded in 1995.

Team Structure:

• The UX Researcher will be part of the Advised team, indicating a focus on serving financial advisers.

• They will also sit within a growing central UX Research team, suggesting a collaborative environment with other researchers.

• This structure provides both specialized focus and a supportive research community. Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a "thoughtful execution" approach to research, valuing "doing just enough research to make confident decisions, without slowing teams down."

• There is an encouragement to "challenge norms gently" and "bring strong evidence to the table."

• Research is positioned as a "strategic partner rather than a gatekeeper."

Company Website: https://www.ajbell.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: AJ Bell's FTSE 250 status and recognition as a Great Place to Work highlight a stable, reputable organization with a focus on employee well-being and growth. The emphasis on a pragmatic, efficient research approach is a key cultural indicator for this role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Midweight UX Researcher. This level implies a solid foundation of research skills, the ability to work independently on defined projects, and a contribution to team processes, but typically without direct line management responsibilities. The role is focused on executing research and influencing product decisions.

Reporting Structure: The UX Researcher will report into the central UX Research team structure, while also being embedded within the Advised team. This dual reporting or strong collaborative relationship allows for both functional guidance and project-specific alignment.

Operations Impact: The UX Researcher's work is directly tied to shaping product direction, building confidence in decision-making, and ensuring that products meet the needs of financial advisers and investors. By providing evidence-based insights, they contribute to the development of user-friendly and effective investment platforms, ultimately impacting customer satisfaction and business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or focus areas within financial services UX.

• Functional Development: Contribute to shaping and scaling the UX Research function, potentially leading to future opportunities in research operations or team leadership.

• Cross-functional Influence: Develop stronger strategic relationships with product, design, and engineering teams, increasing influence on product roadmaps.

• Industry Expertise: Gain deep knowledge of the financial services and investment platform industry, becoming a subject matter expert in user needs within this domain.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is presented as foundational to a new research capability, offering a significant opportunity for growth and influence in how UX Research is practiced and valued at AJ Bell.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is hybrid, with a requirement to spend at least 50% of working time in the Manchester office. The office environment is described as supportive and collaborative, with regular social events.

Office Location(s): 4 Exchange Quay, Manchester, United Kingdom. This is a central business district location.

Workspace Context:

• The Manchester office likely provides a professional and well-equipped workspace conducive to collaboration.

• Hybrid working allows for flexibility, balancing focused individual work with in-person team interaction.

• Proximity to other teams within the Advised business unit and the central UX Research team will foster cross-functional collaboration.

Work Schedule: Standard working hours apply, with flexibility expected within the hybrid model. The initial period of full-time office working is designed to facilitate integration and relationship-building.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and office location in Manchester suggest a professional corporate environment that balances work-life integration with the need for in-person collaboration, a common setup in established financial services firms.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a recruiter or hiring manager call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A session where candidates present their portfolio, discussing specific research projects, methodologies, and impact. This is a critical stage for demonstrating UX research expertise.

• Stakeholder/Team Interviews: Meetings with UX Designers, Product Managers, or other team members to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to integrate into the team.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your end-to-end research capabilities, problem-solving skills, and impact. Focus on quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the "why" (the problem), the "how" (your process and methods), and the "what" (the insights and outcomes). Use a consistent structure.

• Highlight Impact: Quantify the impact of your research whenever possible (e.g., "informed a design change that reduced task completion time by X%", "identified a critical issue that led to Y% decrease in support tickets").

• Demonstrate Methodological Rigor: Explain your choice of methods and how they were adapted to project constraints. Show your ability to handle both qualitative and quantitative data.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and engagingly. Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your process and decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical research scenarios or problems related to financial services or investment platforms.

• Prepare to articulate how you would approach a new research challenge, from framing the problem to recommending solutions.

• Consider how you would advocate for research within a team or organization, especially in a growing function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "hands-on role for a confident researcher who can independently plan and deliver" and the mention of "clear, actionable insights" suggests that the interview process will heavily scrutinize practical research execution and communication.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Methodologies: Expertise in a wide array of qualitative and quantitative methods is expected.

• Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with tools used by product and design teams (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Slack) is likely beneficial.

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote for presenting findings.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to complement user research with behavioral data.

• Experience with survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Qualtrics) for data collection. CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary focus, an understanding of how user insights can feed into CRM strategies or customer journey mapping might be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description doesn't specify particular tools, but the emphasis on diverse methodologies and clear communication implies a need for versatility. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with common UX research and collaboration platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Thoughtful Execution: Prioritizing impact and efficiency over overly complex processes.

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: Championing the use of strong research data to guide product development.

• Collaboration: Working closely with designers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

• Continuous Improvement: Contributing to the evolution of research practices and capabilities.

• User-Centricity: Maintaining a strong focus on understanding and serving user needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Working closely with UX Designers, acting as a partner rather than a handover point.

• Cross-functional Integration: Embedding research insights into the agile development process.

• Constructive Communication: Confidently and constructively challenging assumptions based on evidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values a pragmatic approach to research that drives tangible outcomes, emphasizing collaboration and evidence. This is a key aspect for candidates to align with.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing Research Practices: As part of a new centralized function, there will be an opportunity and challenge to help define and refine research processes, methodologies, and tooling.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively communicating research insights and advocating for user needs within a large financial services organization requires strong stakeholder management and persuasive communication skills.

• Balancing Generative and Tactical Research: Juggling strategic, long-term discovery research with more immediate, tactical research needs to support ongoing product development.

• Navigating a Regulated Environment: While not essential, understanding or adapting to the nuances of research in a regulated financial services industry can be a learning curve.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Shaping a Research Function: A unique opportunity to influence the direction and maturity of UX Research at AJ Bell.

• Industry Specialization: Deepen knowledge within the financial services and investment platform sector.

• Methodological Breadth: Expand experience across a wider range of qualitative and quantitative research techniques.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Enhance skills in working with diverse product development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a significant opportunity for professional growth by contributing to the foundational development of a research capability, alongside developing expertise in a specialized industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a generative research project from start to finish. What was the outcome?"

• "How do you decide which research method is most appropriate for a given problem?"

• "Walk us through a complex research finding you had to communicate to non-researchers. How did you tailor your message?"

• "How would you approach researching a new feature for our investment platform aimed at first-time investors?"

• "Describe a situation where your research findings challenged existing assumptions or a team's preferred direction. How did you handle it?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the financial services industry?"

• "How do you see your role contributing to AJ Bell's mission of making investing simpler and more accessible?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with UX Designers and Product Managers?"

• "What are your thoughts on balancing research rigor with the need for speed in an agile environment?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your role and the context of the project. Clearly state the problem or objective. Detail your research process and methodology, explaining your choices. Present key findings with supporting evidence. Conclude with the impact of your research and any recommendations.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly call out how your portfolio pieces demonstrate your ability to lead research independently, synthesize complex data, communicate effectively, and collaborate.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the value and impact of your research work.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific methodological choices, data analysis techniques, and how you navigated challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating independence, strong methodological reasoning, clear communication of insights, and an understanding of how research drives business outcomes, particularly within a financial services context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Tailor Your CV: Highlight experience in leading independent research projects, specific methodologies used, and demonstrable impact on product decisions. Use keywords from the job description such as "generative research," "tactical discovery," "qualitative," "quantitative," and "stakeholder management."

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate your strongest research projects, focusing on end-to-end ownership, clear articulation of process and impact, and strong visual presentation. Ensure it's easily accessible (e.g., a link to a personal website or a well-organized PDF).

• Research AJ Bell: Understand their business, target audience (financial advisers, investors), and recent product developments. Familiarize yourself with their stated values and company culture.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio, focusing on concise storytelling, clear explanations of your methodology, and quantifying the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss your approach to common UX research challenges.

⚠️ 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.

---